If you’re searching for some orthodox Scandinavian saints, you’ve come to the right place. This article will provide you with information on some of the most famous Scandinavian saints. These include St. Michael Nevsky and St. Thorlak, as well as Amphilocus and Cosmas.
Table of Contents
St. Thorlak
Thorlak, an Icelandic saint, was called to be the bishop of Iceland in 1173. He studied theology in France and adopted the monastic rule of St. Augustine. He founded a monastery in Iceland and lived a life of prayer and penance. He also advocated for clerical reform and continued the reforms instituted by Pope Gregory VII.
He was born in 1133 in Iceland and was the son of poor farmers. His parents noted that their son had a special talent and sent him to a local priest. At the age of fifteen, he was already a deacon. He then went on to become a priest.
St. Michael Nevsky
Michael Nevsky was born in Tver in 1272. His mother was a nun. Growing up, he was convinced that he would end his life as a monk or a martyr. He later succeeded his brother as Prince of Tver and later became the Grand Prince of Vladimir during the Mongol conquest.
The story of St. Michael Nevsky is a wonderful one. He was born to pious parents and was trained in the ways of the Christian faith. He began by living as a hermit in a cave near Antioch. While the asceticism was challenging, he found himself in a state of ecstasy for four days.
St. Cosmas
Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers who embraced Christianity and practiced medicine without charging a fee. These brothers were known as the’silverless’ and attracted many to Christianity. However, their lives were short and they died as martyrs under the reign of Emperor Diocletian.
Damian and Cosmas were among the first Christians to suffer persecution under the Diocletian emperor. They were arrested by Lysias, the prefect of Cilicia. Lysias ordered them to renounce their faith but they refused, and they were beheaded. The two Christians perished as martyrs for their faith in Jesus Christ.
St. Basil
The Scandinavian Church venerates Saint Basil as a patron of the poor. He preached social responsibility and helped the poor and the underprivileged. His visionary new town was filled with innovative institutions, including a hospital and leper clinic, as well as residences for travelers and the poor. The town also had small manufacturing workshops and teaching trades. The town was designed with the needs of the poor and sacramental life at its center.
His encomium was written by Gregory of Nyssa, who proposed that Basil’s exceptional life merited a formal recognition. In fact, he argued that Basil’s virtues and life were comparable to those of martyrs and prophets.
St. Lazarus
The story of St. Lazarus’ resurrection from the dead is a popular one in orthodox Scandinavia. This Scandinavian saint, who lived in the third century, was a follower of Christ and died in the same cave. He is considered to be one of the most important saints of the Church. His miracles were well-known and his devotion to his brethren was legendary.
The original Ordre de Saint Lazare was a Chivalric Military and Hospitaller order with its origins in Outremer. It later took on a more military role, and protected the Outremer from the Islamic threat. This order later included female members, and it survived until the Reformation.
