VIKING SAINT KING OLAF OF NORWAY (JULY 29TH)
A Heroic Depiction of St. Olaf of Norway Commissioned by the Norwegian Government Edited by Bp. Joseph ( Ancient Church of the West ) In AD 995, in the northern lands of Norway, was born Olaf Haraldsson, son of Viking King Harald Grenske and Asta Gudbrandsdatter. From a young age, Olaf exhibited traits of valor and determination, traits that would later mark his reign as king. As a youth, he ventured far from his homeland, traveling to England, Spain, and beyond, where he learned Latin, studied the arts, embraced the Christian faith, and lit a torch of the Holy Spirit in his heart through the reception of Holy Baptism that would blaze throughout the darkness of the northern pagan world. Upon his return to Norway, Olaf sought to unite his people under the banner of Jesus Christ. Crowned King of Norway in AD 1015, his reign was marked by both fervor and ferocity. He decreed the Christian faith as the state religion, tearing down idols and building up churches. Some of the most beaut...
