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Saint Olaf II was an early King of Norway and Christian martyr. He was born about the year 995 to the royal family of the small kingdom of Vestfold. He grew up participating in fighting expeditions. Around the age of 19, he converted to the Christian Faith and received baptism in France. He entered the service of the exiled English King Ethelred and assisted him in retaking his kingdom.
In 1015 he returned to Norway and declared himself king. He conquered the surrounding chieftains and united the Norwegian tribes under his rule. In 1019 he married his wife Astrid. With the help of English missionaries, Saint Olaf worked to convert the Norwegians to Christianity. He also instituted a Christian legal system and built many churches.
After repeated clashes, Cnut, the king of Denmark and England, sent 50 ships against Norway. His forces succeeded in sending Saint Olaf into exile in Sweden in 1028. He then planned his return, imitating Gideon by only taking Christians to fight with him.
Cnut succeeded in bribing the Norwegian nobility to stand against Olaf. On July 29, 1030, Saint Olaf was killed in the Battle of Stiklestad. The saint's incorrupt body immediately became the source of miracles, which terrified the Danes and brought the Norwegians to repentance. After witnessing the miracles, Bishop Grimketel declared him a saint the following year. The Danes were expelled by the Norwegians, and Saint Olaf's young son Magnus was proclaimed king.
3 x 6 inches
Saint Olaf's veneration spread widely, with many churches being built in his honor. In Constantinople, on the grounds of the Hagia Sophia cathedral, a small side-chapel was built in his honor. The saint is venerated as a martyr-king who died in the effort to spread the Gospel among his people.
In the icon, Saint Olaf holds a scroll which reads, "It is a pity when men of prowess believe not in Christ their Maker."