Aleksandras Olelka
prince of Kyiv from 1443 to 1454
Aleksandras Olelka (Ukrainian: Олександр Олелько Володимирович; Early 15th century – 1454) was the Duke of Kapyl–Slutsk and subsequently from 1443 was the Prince of Kiev until his death in 1454.
Olelka was a patrilineal member of the Lithuanian ruling dynasty the Gediminids and founded its Olelkovich branch. Nevertheless, he was an Eastern Orthodox Christian, unlike the Grand Dukes of Lithuania who since the Christianization of Lithuania were Catholics.
Biography
Olelka was the eldest son of Vladimir Olgerdovich, Prince of Kyiv, and grandson of Algirdas, Grand Duke of Lithuania. In 1394, the Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytautas the Great took away the rule of the Principality of Kiev from Olelka's father Vladimir Olgerdovich and instead gave him to rule the Duchy of Kapyl–Slutsk. Since 1395 the Alšėniškiai representatives began ruling the Principality of Kiev, however Vladimir Olgerdovich and his descendants retained aspirations to regain the rule of the Principality of Kiev.
Olelka was the founder of the Olelkovich branch of the Gediminids. Initially, Olelka held titles of the Duke of Kapyl and Slutsk. Olelka was of Eastern Orthodox faith. Olelkovichs supported the spread of writing.
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