St Olaf
See also St Olaf (Ship)
Saint Olaf or Saint Ol(l)a (995 – July 29, 1030) was a popular saint in Shetland and throughout the Nordic Countries. Historically known as Olaf II of Norway or Ólafr Haraldsson, he ruled Norway from 1015 to 1028. He is not to be confused with Olaf Tryggvasson, who was another major force in the Christianisation of Norway.
His cult subsided with the arrival of the Reformation, in both Shetland and in Norway, not to mention Scotland.
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Biography
Olaf was a brutal ruler, but his posthumous cult, promoted by Bishop Grimkell united Norway.
He was killed at the Battle of Stiklestad on 29 July 1030. Olaf was canonised locally in 1164, and this was confirmed by Pope Alexander III. His gravesite is unknown, due to the circumstances of the Norwegian Reformation.
His shrine was at Nidaros.
In many parts of the North Atlantic, the characteristics of Thor were transferred onto St Olaf, so that many fairs and commemorations of the saint in fact originate with him.<ref> Schei, Liv Kjørsvik & Moberg, Gunnie – The Faroe Islands (Birlinn)</ref>
See also
- St Olaf's Church - Lund
- St. Ola's Church, Whiteness
- St Olaf's Church - Old Olnafirth Church
- St. Olaf's Hall
- St Ola's Church - Bressay
External Links
- Olaf Haraldsson on Catholic Encyclopedia
References
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