A Swedish Crusader King as Russian Orthodox Saint on the Valamo Archipelago?
Lind, John H. (University of Southern Denmark, Odense)
University of Paris, Sorbonne, Cahiers slaves n°7, March 21 (2005)
Abstract
In 1347 King Magnus Eriksson of Sweden undertook a crusade against Novgorodian territory. In this he was inspired by the powerful aristocrat Birgitta Birgersdaughter, in 1391 canonized by Pope as Saint Birgitta on the basis of her heavenly visions and revelations in which she was spoken to by both Christ and the Virgin Mary.
Some of these revelations were directed at King Magnus. In one of these revelations the King was criticized for having waged war against fellow-Christians, in-casu Danes at Copenhagen in 1343. Instead he should turn his vasals and servants against pagans and infidels in the East where the Christian faith and love could be increased. In another revelation Birgitta reproached the king for preparing a secular war not a crusade. In organizing the crusade, the king should call upon priests and monks who could refute the errors of the pagans and teach them the Christian faith. Therefore the king were to proceed under two banners.
Under the first banner, Christ’s Passion, he should offer mercy and peace when approaching the pagans. Only in case the infidels were not responsive to his advice and admonitions should the king raise the other banner, the banner of the Sword of Justice. In short King Magnus should first attempt to convince the infidels or pagans by peaceful means. Only as a last resort should he take to the sword.
A Swedish Crusader King as Russian Orthodox Saint on the Valamo Archipelago?
In 1347 King Magnus Eriksson of Sweden undertook a crusade against Novgorodian territory. In this he was inspired by the powerful aristocrat Birgitta Birgersdaughter, in 1391 canonized by Pope as Saint Birgitta on the basis of her heavenly visions and revelations in which she was spoken to by both Christ and the Virgin Mary.
Some of these revelations were directed at King Magnus. In one of these revelations
the King was criticized for having waged war against fellow-Christians, in-casu Danes at Copenhagen in 1343. Instead he should turn his vasals and servants against pagans and infidels in the East where the Christian faith and love could be increased. In another revelation Birgitta reproached the king for preparing a secular war not a crusade. In organizing the crusade, the king should call upon priests and monks who could refute the errors of the pagans and teach them the Christian faith. Therefore the king were to proceed under two banners.
Under the first banner, Christ’s Passion, he should offer mercy and peace when approaching the pagans. Only in case the infidels were not responsive to his advice and admonitions should the king raise the other banner, the banner of the Sword of Justice. In short King Magnus should first attempt to convince the infidels or pagans by peaceful means. Only as a last resort should he take to the sword.
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