We
have chosen an image of Sigfrid,
Swedish bishop & apostle,
to represent the link between York and Scandinavia.
The record of his life
is, however, more legend than accurate history:
Sigfrid was
an eminent priest (possibly archbishop) from York who was sent as
a missionary, via Norway, to southern Sweden. On the 21st June 950
(the arrival date according to one of several sources) he is said
to have arrived in Växjö, which was already a trade centre
in the Iron and Viking Ages.
He erected a cross, built
a church of wood, celebrated the divine mysteries, and preached
to the people. Once Christianity was more established he ordained
bishops (in Linköping, Skara, Upsala and Strängnäs).
For the rest of his life he continued to lead the church in Växjö,
assisted by his three nephews, Unaman, Sunaman and Wiaman, until
they were brutally murdered; this happened when Sigfrid travelled
north to baptise King Olof (Olof Skötkonung, Sweden's first
Christian king), his court and army. The baptism is said to have
taken place in Husaby in Västergötland early in the 11th
century.
The heads of the three
nephews were thrown into a great pond but were retrieved and thereafter
kept enshrined in the church of Växjö. The king wanted
to put the murderers to death, but Sigfrid prevailed on him to spare
their lives and even refused to accept the fine that the king made
them pay.
Sigfrid died in 1002
(according to one source), and was buried in his cathedral in Växjö,
where his tomb became famous for miracles.
Close to the 12th century church at Husaby are two wells, one of
which carries Sigfrid's name.
