| Saint Thorlak Thorhallsson | |
|---|---|
Statue of St Thorlac at the Roman Catholic Cathedral, Reykjavik, Iceland |
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| Bishop of Skalholt | |
| Born | 1133 Fljótshlíð, Iceland |
| Died | December 23, 1193 Skálholt, Iceland |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Canonized | 14 January 1984 by Pope John Paul II |
| Feast | December 23; July 20 (translation of relics) |
| Patronage | Iceland |
Saint Thorlak Thorhallsson (Old Norse: Þorlákr Þórhallsson; Icelandic: Þorlákur Þórhallsson; 1133 – December 23, 1193), also spelled Thorlac, is the patron saint of Iceland. Born in Skálholt in sourthern Iceland, he was bishop of Skalholt from 1178 until his death.[1] His status as a saint was declared in 1198 by the Althing, but this was never made official by the Catholic Church until January 14, 1984, when John Paul II canonized him officially and declared him the patron saint of Iceland.[2] His life and dozens of his miracles are described in great detail in the Icelandic saga Þorláks saga Helga (Saga of Saint Thorlak), republished in Icelandic on the occasion of John Paul II's visit to Iceland in 1989.[3] It seems likely that Thorlac's original sanctification, promoted by Latin texts on which this was based, 'was arranged in Icelandic ecclesiastical circles, clerics of both dioceses being conspicuous in reports of early miracles'.[4]
Of an aristocratic family, Thorlac was ordained deacon before he was fifteen and consecrated a priest at the age of eighteen. He studied abroad at Paris (c. 1153-59) and possibly Lincoln.[5]
Returning to Iceland in 1161, Thorlac founded a monastery of Canons Regular at Þykkvibær after refusing to marry a rich widow. There he devoted himself to a strictly religious life, refusing to marry (many other Icelandic priests were married) and devoting himself to reciting the Our Father, the Creed, and a hymn, as well as fifty Psalms.
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He was consecrated as bishop by Augustine of Nidaros and worked to regulate the Augustinian Rule in Iceland, as well as eradicate simony, lay patronage, and clerical incontinency.
Þorláksmessa (Thorlac's mass) is celebrated on the date of his death, December 23.
It is considered the last day of preparations before Christmas. Therefore, on St. Thorlac's Day, the house is cleaned and preparations for the Christmas meal are begun. Most people in Reykjavík go into town in the night to meet others and do the last shopping before Christmas. Fish was usually eaten on Þorláksmessa since December 23 was the last day of the Catholic Christmas fast. In western Iceland, it was customary to eat cured skate on this day; this custom spread to the whole of Iceland. The skate is usually served with boiled or mashed potatoes, accompanied by a shot of Brennivín.
| Preceded by Klængur Þorsteinsson |
Bishop of Skálholt 1178–1193 |
Succeeded by Páll Jónsson |