The Olgovichi or Olhovychi[a] were one of the four dominant princely clans of Kievan Rus' in the 12th and 13th century.
[5][6] The Principality of Chernigov (modern Chernihiv in northern Ukraine) was the main Olgovichi patrimony (hence the term "Olgovichi of Chernigov"[7]), with the Principality of Novgorod-Seversk (modern Novhorod-Siverskyi) serving as the primary appanage.
[8] The Olgovichi frequently managed to put one of their clan members on the grand princely throne of Kiev (modern Kyiv), including Michael of Chernigov, who in the wake of the Mongol invasion was executed by Batu Khan in 1246 and later canonised as an Orthodox saint.
[9] There is some uncertainty regarding his descendants, who from the late 13th century appear to have expanded Olgovichi control to Bryansk, Kursk, and the Upper Oka Principalities (in the present-day Russian Federation).
[12] Slovenian–Canadian Slavistics researcher and priest Martin Dimnik (1941–2020) has published extensive studies on the Olgovichi.