Saint Henry
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Saint Henry, an English bishop, is revered as the patron saint of Finland. He accompanied King Erik of Sweden on a crusade around 1157, and after the king returned, Henry remained in Finland to organize the church. He was tragically murdered by a Finnish yeoman, but by the end of the 12th century, he was recognized as a saint. His martyrdom and subsequent veneration contributed to Finland's Christianization, though this process occurred amidst intense competition for influence in the region between Sweden and Russia.12
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Church of Finland…and in the 12th century Henry, bishop of Uppsala (Sweden), began organizing the church there. He suffered a martyr’s death and eventually became Finland’s patron saint. Through the influence of Sweden (which ruled in Finland from the 13th century until 1809), Finland gradually accepted Christianity.
Read More…and in the 12th century Henry, bishop of Uppsala (Sweden), began organizing the church there. He suffered a martyr’s death and eventually became Finland’s patron saint. Through the influence of Sweden (which ruled in Finland from the 13th century until 1809), Finland gradually accepted Christianity.
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FinlandCompetition for trade and converts…by an English bishop named Henry. Henry remained in Finland to organize the affairs of the church and was murdered by a Finnish yeoman; by the end of the 12th century, he was revered as a saint, and he later became Finland’s patron. In a papal bull (c. 1172), the…
Read More…by an English bishop named Henry. Henry remained in Finland to organize the affairs of the church and was murdered by a Finnish yeoman; by the end of the 12th century, he was revered as a saint, and he later became Finland’s patron. In a papal bull (c. 1172), the…
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