Saint Eric IX of Sweden
Saint Eric IX of Sweden (born c. 1120 AD in Sweden; died May 18, 1160 AD in Uppsala, Sweden) was King of Sweden from approximately 1156 until his assassination in 1160. He is the patron saint of Sweden and of Stockholm. He led a crusade into Finland to evangelize the Finnish peoples, together with Saint Henry of Uppsala, the English bishop who became patron of Finland. Eric was murdered by a Danish prince and rival claimant at Uppsala after Mass on Ascension Thursday. He was never formally canonized by Rome but was venerated as a king-martyr from the time of his death. His feast day is May 18.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Eric IX of Sweden
| Saint Eric IX of Sweden | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | May 18 |
| Profession | King; crusader; martyr |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Medieval Swedish church |
| Patronage | Sweden; Stockholm; Uppsala; Swedish kings; crusaders |
| Attributes | Crown; sword; palm of martyrdom; orb; cross |
| Birthplace | Sweden |
| Death Place | Uppsala, Sweden |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; beheaded by soldiers of the Danish prince Magnus Henriksen after Mass on Ascension Thursday |
| Primary Shrine | Uppsala Cathedral, Uppsala — his reliquary shrine of gold and silver; pilgrimage site since the 12th century; Sweden's most important medieval pilgrimage destination |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman Calendar; feast observed in Sweden; May 18 |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Eric (Erik) was King of Sweden from approximately 1156, ruling over a kingdom still in the process of Christianization. The details of his early life are obscure; he came from the royal house of Sweden. He was a devout Christian who sought to consolidate and deepen the faith in his kingdom.
Around 1155–1157, he led a military and missionary expedition into Finland — a campaign known in Swedish historiography as the First Swedish Crusade — with the purpose of evangelizing the Finnish peoples. His companion and spiritual guide was Saint Henry of Uppsala, an Englishman who served as Bishop of Uppsala. After the campaign, Henry remained in Finland as a missionary bishop (he was martyred in Finland c. 1156); Eric returned to Sweden.
Eric's reign was troubled by dynastic rivalry. On May 18, 1160 (Ascension Thursday), after Mass at Uppsala, a party of soldiers supporting the Danish pretender Magnus Henriksen ambushed him outside the church. He was struck from his horse, wounded, and beheaded. The sources say he died praying for his enemies.
His relics were translated to Uppsala Cathedral and became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in medieval Scandinavia. A magnificent gold and silver reliquary holds his remains. His image appeared on Swedish coins and seals; he was the patron saint and symbol of Swedish kingship for centuries.
He was never formally canonized by Rome; his cult was endorsed by the local church. The Lutheran Church of Sweden continues to observe his feast on May 18.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Sweden
Death location: Uppsala, Sweden
Notable location: His relics are kept here in a shrine of gold and silver; he is patron of Uppsala; pilgrims have visited his shrine since the 12th century; Uppsala Cathedral is the primatial see of Sweden (Uppsala Cathedral (Uppsala domkyrka), Uppsala, Sweden)
Notable location: He is co-patron of Stockholm; the city's coat of arms includes a reference to him; Saint Eric Day (May 18) is a civic feast in Stockholm (Stockholm, Sweden)
Notable location: He led a crusade (korståg) into Finland around 1155–1157 to evangelize the Finnish peoples; Saint Henry of Uppsala accompanied him and remained in Finland as bishop after the campaign (Finland)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Uppsala Cathedral, Uppsala — gold and silver reliquary shrine; primatial see of Sweden; principal pilgrimage site.
- The spring at Uppsala — the traditional site of his martyrdom; venerated in the Middle Ages.
Feast day
May 18
Veneration
Saint Eric IX is venerated in the Catholic Church and the Church of Sweden with a feast day on May 18.
Prayers
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