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Icon of Sunniva, martyr, with St. Hallvard, martyr (+ 1045)
Feast: May
15
St. Halvard
Vebjřrnsson, patron
saint of Oslo, the capital of Norway, was of the region of Lier, near
Oslo. His mother, Torny, was related to King St. Olaf, the enlightener
of Norway.
A woman
named Suniva or Sunniva had fled to Halvard's ship for sanctuary from
false accusers. For harbouring her, Halvard was put to death. The men
shot arrows and killed both Halvard and Suniva. St. Suniva was buried
upon the beach, but the men hanged a millstone round the neck of
Halvard to sink him in the sea. However, his holy martyred body refused
to sink, which led to the discovery of their crimes. Typifying defense
of the defenseless, St. Hallvard became greatly loved and a cathedral
was built in his honour at Oslo, which however fell into ruin by the
17th or 18th century.
Holy
Martyrs Hallvard and Sunniva, pray to God for us!
Icon of
unknown provenance.
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