What is the St. Olaf College Softball program like. How can student-athletes get recruited for the team. What scholarships are available for softball players at St. Olaf College. What are the key aspects of the St. Olaf College Softball program that prospective players should know.
Overview of St. Olaf College Softball
St. Olaf College, located in Northfield, Minnesota, boasts a competitive women’s softball program that participates in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). As an NCAA Division III institution, St. Olaf does not offer athletic scholarships for softball players. However, the college provides need-based and academic scholarships to support student-athletes in their academic and athletic pursuits.
The St. Olaf Softball team, led by Head Coach Kayla Hatting, competes at a high level within the MIAC conference. The program focuses on developing well-rounded student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom.
Recruiting Process for St. Olaf College Softball
Getting recruited to play softball at St. Olaf College requires a proactive approach from prospective student-athletes. Here are some key steps to enhance your chances of being noticed by the coaching staff:
- Create an online athletic recruiting profile showcasing your academic and athletic achievements
- Fill out the St. Olaf College Softball recruiting questionnaire
- Attend softball camps and showcases to gain exposure
- Reach out directly to the coaching staff, including Head Coach Kayla Hatting
- Submit highlight videos and game footage to demonstrate your skills
- Maintain strong academic performance to meet St. Olaf’s admission requirements
Why is it important to be proactive in the recruiting process? College coaches, including those at St. Olaf, receive numerous inquiries from potential recruits. By taking initiative and making yourself visible, you increase your chances of catching the coaching staff’s attention and potentially earning a spot on the team.
Scholarship Opportunities for St. Olaf Softball Players
While St. Olaf College does not offer athletic scholarships for softball players due to its NCAA Division III status, there are other financial aid options available to student-athletes:
- Need-based scholarships: Based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA
- Academic scholarships: Awarded for outstanding academic achievement
- Merit-based scholarships: Recognizing various talents and accomplishments
- Grants: Federal, state, and institutional grants to help offset college costs
- Work-study programs: Opportunities to earn money through part-time campus employment
How can softball players maximize their scholarship opportunities at St. Olaf? By maintaining excellent grades, participating in extracurricular activities, and demonstrating leadership skills, student-athletes can increase their chances of securing academic and merit-based scholarships to support their education.
St. Olaf College Softball Coaching Staff
The success of any collegiate softball program relies heavily on its coaching staff. St. Olaf College boasts a dedicated team of coaches committed to developing skilled players and fostering a winning culture:
- Head Coach: Kayla Hatting
- Assistant Coach: Pat Wadzinski
- Assistant Coach: Julie Graf
What makes the St. Olaf coaching staff unique? The combination of experience, knowledge, and passion for the game allows the coaches to provide comprehensive guidance to their players, both in terms of softball skills and personal development.
Academic Excellence at St. Olaf College
St. Olaf College is renowned for its academic rigor and commitment to liberal arts education. Softball players who choose to attend St. Olaf can expect a challenging and rewarding academic experience:
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12-1
- Graduation Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Acceptance Rate: 36%
How does St. Olaf support student-athletes academically? The college provides resources such as tutoring services, study groups, and academic advising to help athletes balance their sport commitments with their studies. The high retention and graduation rates reflect the college’s dedication to student success.
Campus Life and Facilities at St. Olaf College
St. Olaf College offers a vibrant campus life and state-of-the-art facilities for its students and athletes:
- On-campus housing available for students
- Modern athletic facilities for training and competition
- Diverse student body with a 43% male to 57% female ratio
- Numerous clubs and organizations for student involvement
What makes St. Olaf’s campus experience unique for softball players? The combination of strong academics, competitive athletics, and a close-knit community creates an environment where student-athletes can thrive both on and off the field.
Admissions and Test Score Requirements
Prospective softball players interested in attending St. Olaf College should be aware of the following admissions requirements:
- Secondary school record required
- Secondary school GPA required
- Secondary school rank recommended
- SAT or ACT scores required (Test-optional policy may apply)
SAT Score Range (25th-75th Percentile):
– Reading: 560-710
– Math: 580-700
– Writing: 580-690
ACT Score Range (25th-75th Percentile):
– Composite: 26-31
– English: 26-31
– Math: 26-33
How can softball recruits improve their chances of admission to St. Olaf? By maintaining strong grades, participating in challenging courses, and achieving competitive test scores, prospective student-athletes can strengthen their applications and increase their likelihood of acceptance.
Cost and Financial Aid at St. Olaf College
Understanding the cost of attendance and available financial aid options is crucial for prospective softball players considering St. Olaf College:
- Total Cost (In-State and Out-of-State): $56,160
- Tuition: $40,700
- Percentage of Undergraduates Receiving Aid: 93%
How can softball players make St. Olaf more affordable? By exploring various financial aid options, including need-based aid, academic scholarships, and external grants, student-athletes can work towards making their education at St. Olaf more accessible.
Available Majors and Academic Programs
St. Olaf College offers a wide range of academic programs, allowing softball players to pursue their desired fields of study alongside their athletic commitments. Some popular majors include:
- Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Slavic, Baltic, and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Russian Language and Literature
- Germanic Languages
How does St. Olaf support student-athletes in choosing and pursuing their academic interests? The college provides academic advising and flexible scheduling options to help softball players balance their athletic commitments with their chosen course of study.
St. Olaf Softball’s Competitive Advantage
What sets St. Olaf’s softball program apart from others in the MIAC conference? The combination of strong academics, dedicated coaching, and a supportive campus community creates an environment where softball players can excel both athletically and academically. The program’s focus on developing well-rounded student-athletes prepares players not only for success on the field but also for their future careers beyond college.
Preparing for Success as a St. Olaf Softball Player
How can prospective softball players prepare themselves for success at St. Olaf College? Consider the following tips:
- Develop strong time management skills to balance academics and athletics
- Stay in top physical condition through regular training and practice
- Cultivate leadership skills through team captaincy or other extracurricular activities
- Familiarize yourself with the MIAC conference and St. Olaf’s competition
- Research the college’s academic programs to find the best fit for your interests
By focusing on these areas, incoming softball players can position themselves for success both on and off the field at St. Olaf College.
The Impact of St. Olaf Softball on Student-Athletes’ Futures
How does playing softball at St. Olaf College benefit student-athletes beyond their college years? The experience of competing at the collegiate level while pursuing a rigorous academic program helps develop valuable skills such as:
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management and organization
- Leadership and communication
- Resilience and perseverance
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
These skills, combined with a strong academic foundation, prepare St. Olaf softball players for success in their future careers and personal lives.
Community Engagement and Service Learning
St. Olaf College emphasizes the importance of community engagement and service learning for all students, including softball players. How does this commitment to service benefit student-athletes?
- Develops a sense of social responsibility
- Provides opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations
- Enhances leadership and communication skills
- Builds connections with the local community
- Offers personal growth and character development
By participating in service learning projects, St. Olaf softball players can make a positive impact on their community while gaining valuable experiences that complement their academic and athletic pursuits.
Networking Opportunities for St. Olaf Softball Players
How can playing softball at St. Olaf College open doors for future career opportunities? The college’s strong alumni network and career services provide numerous advantages for student-athletes:
- Access to alumni mentorship programs
- Internship opportunities through alumni connections
- Career fairs and networking events
- Resume and interview preparation workshops
- Job shadowing experiences in various industries
These networking opportunities, combined with the skills developed through athletics and academics, position St. Olaf softball players for success in their chosen career paths after graduation.
The Role of Technology in St. Olaf Softball
How does St. Olaf College incorporate technology into its softball program to enhance player development and team performance? The program utilizes various technological tools and resources, including:
- Video analysis software for swing and pitching mechanics
- Advanced statistics and analytics platforms
- Wearable devices for tracking player performance and health
- Virtual reality training systems for situational awareness
- Social media and digital platforms for team communication and recruitment
By embracing these technological advancements, St. Olaf’s softball program provides its players with cutting-edge tools to improve their skills and achieve peak performance on the field.
Sustainability Initiatives at St. Olaf College
St. Olaf College is committed to environmental sustainability, a value that extends to its athletic programs, including softball. How does this commitment to sustainability impact student-athletes?
- Eco-friendly athletic facilities and equipment
- Sustainable transportation options for team travel
- Recycling and waste reduction programs at sporting events
- Education on environmental stewardship for student-athletes
- Opportunities to participate in campus-wide sustainability initiatives
By engaging in these sustainability efforts, St. Olaf softball players contribute to the college’s environmental goals while developing a sense of responsibility towards the planet.
International Opportunities for St. Olaf Softball Players
Does St. Olaf College offer international experiences for its softball players? While the primary competition takes place within the MIAC conference, the college provides various opportunities for student-athletes to gain global exposure:
- Study abroad programs that accommodate athletic schedules
- International service-learning trips during off-seasons
- Cultural exchange programs with softball teams from other countries
- Language immersion opportunities related to academic majors
- Internships with international organizations or companies
These international experiences broaden the horizons of St. Olaf softball players, enriching their college experience and preparing them for success in an increasingly globalized world.
St. Olaf College (Minnesota) Women’s Softball Recruiting & Scholarship Information
St. Olaf College
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Overview
This is the St. Olaf College (Minnesota) Softball scholarship and program information page. Here you can explore important information about St. Olaf College Softball. This information is very valuable for all high school student-athletes to understand as they start the recruiting process. St. Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN and the Softball program competes in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) conference.
St. Olaf College does not offer athletic scholarships for Softball. Need-based and academic scholarships are available for student-athletes. Athletic scholarships are available for NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NAIA and NJCAA. On average, 34% of all student-athletes receive athletic scholarships.
If you are interested in getting recruited by St.
Olaf College Softball, you should get to know more about the school, what academic programs are offered, and important members of the coaching staff – these are the people you need to connect with. Getting familiar with the Softball program is an important first step in the recruiting process.
How to get recruited by St. Olaf College Softball
Most college Softball coaches don’t respond to unsolicited emails. It’s important you build a relationship with the coaching staff. This is one of the ways SportsRecruits can help. You can certainly start by filling out the St. Olaf College Softball’s recruiting questionnaire and getting on their list, but that’s only the start. To get actively recruited, a college coach needs to see you compete, which is why it’s important to have an online athletic recruiting profile. High school student-athletes have a discoverability problem. And discoverability is the key to college exposure and recruitment. Just having a recruiting profile doesn’t guarantee you will get recruited.
You need your profile to showcase all of your academic and athletic achievements, and be able to instantly connect to college coaches who are interested. If you can’t quickly find and message any college coach you want, then you’re not solving your biggest problem in getting recruited for Softball. The Head Coach of St. Olaf College Softball is Kayla Hatting – make it as easy as possible for them to learn about you as an athlete, and be able to start a conversation with you. 100% of college coaches and programs are on the SportsRecruits platform. If you are interested in getting recruited by St. Olaf College’s Softball program, start your free recruiting profile with SportsRecruits today.
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Committed Athletes
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Athletics
Program Information
Division
NCAA DIII
Conference
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)
Coaching Staff
Head Coach
Kayla Hatting
Send Message
Assistant Coach
Pat Wadzinski
Send Message
Julie Graf
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School Profile
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
12-1
Calendar System
Four-one-four plan
Graduation Rate
87%
Retention Rate
93%
Enrollment by Gender
43% Male / 57% Female
On-Campus Housing
Yes
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
36%
Total Applicants
7,571
Test Scores (25th-75th Percentile)
SAT
Students Submitting Scores
32%
Reading
560-710
Math
580-700
Writing
580-690
ACT
Students Submitting Scores
80%
Composite
26-31
English
26-31
Math
26-33
Writing
Not Reported
Requirements
Open Admission Policy
No
Application Fee
$0
Recommendations
Required
Secondary School Record
Required
Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Rank
Recommended
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Cost
In-State
Total Cost
$56,160
Tuition
$40,700
Fee
Not Reported
On-Campus Room & Board
Not Reported
Out-of-State
Total Cost
$56,160
Tuition
$40,700
Fee
Not Reported
On-Campus Room & Board
Not Reported
Financial Aid
% Undergraduates Receiving Aid
93%
Majors
Arts and Humanities
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Russian Language and Literature
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
German Language and Literature
Norwegian Language and Literature
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
French Language and Literature
Spanish Language and Literature
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
Ancient/Classical Greek Language and Literature
Latin Language and Literature
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Philosophy
Philosophy
Religion/Religious Studies
Religion/Religious Studies
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General
English Language and Literature, General
Visual and Performing Arts
Dance
Dance, General
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
Fine and Studio Arts
Art/Art Studies, General
Art History, Criticism and Conservation
Music
Music, General
Music Performance, General
Music Theory and Composition
Music, Other
Health and Medicine
Health Professions and Related Programs
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursin
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Interdisciplinary Studies
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Area Studies
American/United States Studies/Civilization
Asian Studies/Civilization
Latin American Studies
Russian Studies
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
Ethnic Studies
Women’s Studies
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Classical and Ancient Studies
Ancient Studies/Civilization
Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
Parks, Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies
Health and Physical Education/Fitness
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Public and Social Services
Theology and Religious Vocations
Religious/Sacred Music
Religious/Sacred Music
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Social Work
Social Work
Science, Math, and Technology
Natural Resources and Conservation
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
Environmental Studies
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Physical Sciences
Chemistry
Chemistry, General
Physics
Physics, General
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science
Computer Science
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics
Mathematics, General
Social Sciences
Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Music Teacher Education
Social Studies Teacher Education
Social Sciences
Economics
Economics, General
Political Science and Government
Political Science and Government, General
Sociology and Anthropology
Sociology and Anthropology
Psychology
Psychology, General
Psychology, General
History
History
History, General
Quick Facts
Athletic Conference
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)
Academic Selectivity
More Selective
Undergrad Enrollment
3,046
Control/Affiliation
Private not-for-profit (religious affiliation)
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The College of St. Scholastica Athletics Softball History vs St. Olaf College
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search
Softball History vs St. Olaf College from Apr 5, 1986 -
May 8, 2023
Last Matchup
May.
8,2023
0
at
2
Full Box Score
Recap
Losses
6
Streak
L3
Longest Win Streak
2
Games
4/7/1989 – 3/22/1997
Longest Losing Streak
3
Games
4/16/2022 – 5/8/2023
Home Record
1-1
Away Record
1-4
Conference Record
0-3
First Matchup
W 8-5
4/5/1986
Last 10 Matchups
4-6
4/5/1986-5/8/2023
Largest Margin of Victory
W 10-7
3/20/2021
Smallest Margin of Victory
W 2-1
3/20/2005
Total Runs
37
Average Runs
3.
36
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1986 |
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(Dundas Dome)
(Dundas Dome)
Paul, Minn. (UNW)
Paul, Minn. (UNW)
Win
Loss
Main Footer
2023 St.
Scholastica Athletic
Privacy Policy / Terms of Service /
Olaf the Saint and Olaf the Fat
Archaeologists from the Norwegian Institute of Cultural Heritage, led by Anna Petersen, discovered the remains of an 11th-century church in Trondheim, which was the first center of veneration for Olaf the Holy – the first Christian king of Norway (reigned 1015-1028), known during his lifetime as Olaf the Fat, the last common saint of Rome -Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches, the character of several sagas and one scandalous story in which the ancient Russian prince Yaroslav the Wise and his wife are involved. Scientists have not yet given detailed arguments in favor of their version that this is the same church where the relics of Olaf rested after canonization.
The church was wooden. Only
foundation and stone platform on the east side – the base of the altar.
How
archaeologists suggest that it was on this platform that the coffin with the body of Olaf was placed
(according to pious traditions, incorruptible) immediately after canonization in 1031
year. Olaf himself built this church in the name of St. Clement shortly before his
death. She did not stay long as a royal tomb: already at the end of the 11th century, the relics were transferred to the Nidaros Cathedral (Nidaros
(ancient name for Trondheim). In the XVI century, the chapel over the burial of Olaf was destroyed by
indication of the Protestant authorities as an object of idolatry, and since then the exact
the location of the relics is unknown. It is assumed that they still rest
somewhere in the cathedral.
Olaf is a very popular saint: he is considered
patron saint and Rex Perpetuus (“Eternal King”) of Norway, patron
for all travelers in the Baltic Sea. The cathedral in Oslo is dedicated to him, tall
a church in Tallinn and the only surviving tower of the Vyborg Castle. Cult
Olaf spread widely in northern Europe less than half a century after
his death and canonization: church chronicler of the second half of the 11th century Adam
Bremensky reports on crowds of pilgrims who flocked to Nidaros to bow to him
relics.
Until the 14th century, the church of St.
Olaf existed in Novgorod, where he spent some of his turbulent
life (in ancient Russian sources, this church was called the “Varangian goddess”).
Norway’s highest award since 1847 is the Order of St. Olaf. The image of the “Eternal
king” – a symbol of Norwegian independence, which was especially important in long
periods of Danish and Swedish rule. As Anna Petersen notes, “Norwegian national identity in
largely based on the cult of St. Olaf,” so that the church, formerly
his first tomb, a find of great symbolic significance.
Latin life of Olaf, written in the 12th century by a Nidarosian
Bishop Øystein Erlendsson, 11th-century skaldic poems and sagas,
recorded in Iceland in the 13th century (including the famous “Circle of the Earth” by Snorri
Sturluson) create a bizarrely contradictory image of this king.
Olaf’s short stay in Novgorod in 1029–1030
years became the subject of research by T.N. Jackson in her book Four Norwegian
king in Rus'” (2000).
In national historiography, special attention
traditionally given to Olaf’s relationship with Yaroslav the Wise’s wife Ingigerda (in
baptized – Irina), daughter of the Swedish king. There are suggestions that the father
One of Yaroslav’s sons was actually Olaf.
Olaf was born in 995. He came from a family
Harald Fairhair, first king of Norway (872–930). His father,
ruler of Vestfold (a small area in the southeast of Norway), died before
his birth, and Olaf was raised by his stepfather, the ruler of neighboring Ringerike named
Sigurd the Pig (yes, the ancient Scandinavians were great at nicknames).
Subsequently, Sigurd’s own son, Harald the Severe, was also king of Norway.
From the age of twelve, Olaf participated in
campaigns of the Vikings, fought and plundered in Denmark, Sweden, Estonia and England. At 18 years old
he was baptized in Rouen, in Normandy, an area in northern France, which
then owned by immigrants from Scandinavia. Shortly thereafter, Olaf returned to
Norway.
The country was then under the rule of the Danish king Sven
Forkbeard. Olaf proclaimed himself king, defeated and expelled the governor Sven
and from 1015 he began to rule Norway, planting Christianity. Among his
close associate was Bishop Grimkel, whom Olaf brought from England and who
considered the founder of the Norwegian church.
One of Olaf’s concerns as King of Norway was
settlement of the border conflict with Sweden, which was then also ruled by the first
Christian monarch and also named Olaf, but nicknamed Shetkonung. In token of
reconciliation, the Norwegian king had to marry the daughter of the Swedish king
Ingigerda. However, the marriage was upset: Shötkonung preferred to give his daughter for
King of Holmgard Yaritsleif, better known to us as Yaroslav the Wise. Wedding
took place, apparently, in 1019.
Yaroslav at that time reigned in Novgorod
(Old Norse name – Holmgard) and fought with his brother Svyatopolk
for the Kyiv throne. The main ally of Svyatopolk was his father-in-law Boleslav
Brave, King of Poland.
Marriage to Ingigerd, according to Jackson, should
was to provide Yaroslav with an equivalent ally in the person of the King of Sweden.
Apparently, Ingigerda herself preferred
Olaf. Her marriage to the Norwegian king was also supported by her trusted adviser and
maternal relative of Rögnvald. This tangle of political contradictions
managed to unravel: Olaf was given as wife the second daughter of Shetkonung, Astrid, and
Rognvald received from Yaroslav Ladoga (in Old Norse – Aldeygyuborg) to manage.
Having reconciled, the Norwegian and Swedish kings decided
take advantage of the absence of a ruler in Denmark (its king Knut the Great
simultaneously reigned in England and it was there that he preferred to live) and attacked
her. In 1026 Cnut arrived from England with a huge army. Confront him
Olaf was unable to, especially since his policy of violent
Christianization, he turned against himself many of his subjects, and in 1029year
was forced to flee.
He found shelter in Rus’.
Yaroslav by this time
established himself as Grand Duke. Ingigerda and Rognvald are still
sympathized with Olaf and, apparently, procured the fugitive Norwegian king
cordial welcome.
Olaf spent quite a bit of time in Novgorod —
from the autumn of 1029 to the spring of 1030. During this time, according to the life and sagas, he managed to
perform two miracles: healed by the laying on of hands a certain boy from an abscess in his throat,
and also “delivered Valdamar from suffering” (a very short message from the skald XI
century, which may refer both to the healing of the same boy, and to some other episode).
A range of Old Norse sources (including
including several sagas recorded in Iceland in the XIII
century, and “The Story of the Ancient Norwegian Kings”
Theodoric the Monk of the 12th century) vaguely report a “secret love” between Olaf and
Ingigerda. According to one of the sagas, Yaroslav, hoping to impress
Ingigerdu, built luxurious rooms for her, and she said that she liked a modest
the house where Olaf lives.
How intimate was Olaf’s relationship with
Ingigerda, it is not clear. Amateur historian Sergei Aleksashin, very boldly
interpreting the results of genetic studies conducted by the American commercial company Family Tree DNA, states that Olaf, and
not Yaroslav was the father of Vsevolod, whom Ingigerda gave birth to in 1030. Vsevolod
in 1046 he married a relative (probably daughter) of the Byzantine emperor
Constantine IX Monomakh, and their son entered
into Russian history as Vladimir Monomakh. According to Aleksashin, it is the “unclean”
the origin of Vsevolod became the reason for the enmity of his offspring – the Monomashichs – with
another line of Yaroslav’s descendants – the Olgovichi (on behalf of Oleg Svyatoslavich,
cousin Vladimir Monomakh), which split Kievan Rus in the 12th century. Academic
historians have not considered this version worthy of serious discussion.
In the spring of 1030, setting out to conquer
Norway at the governors of Knut, Olaf left his son Magnus in Rus’.
Theodoric the Monk calls a certain concubine his mother. Olaf raised an army in Sweden
and on July 29 gave battle to the army of the Norwegian nobility, who supported Knut, near the town
Stiklestad. In this battle, Olaf laid down his head.
Supporters of the defeated king found his body
and buried him in the church of St. Clement. According to the life, soon the locals
began to talk about the miracles associated with his relics. Bishop Grimkel, one of
companions of Olaf, hastened to declare him a saint and took an active part in organizing
his cult.
Yaroslav adopted Magnus after Olaf’s death. On
Rus, to Yaroslav, the half-brother of Olaf Harald the Severe, who fought
side by side with him at Stiklestad. Subsequently, he and his squad entered the
service in the Varangian guard of the Byzantine emperors, took the most active
participation in the palace coup, as a result of which he was overthrown and died
Emperor Michael V Calafat, married Yaroslav’s daughter Elizabeth.
Magnus, nicknamed the Good, not without
With the help of Yaroslav, he became king of Norway in 1035, and in 1042 of Denmark.
In 1047
In the year he died, and the Norwegian throne went to Harald the Severe. Subsequently, in
1066, Harald raced with William of Normandy to try to conquer
England, but died at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. With his death, according to
traditional periodization, the “Viking Age” ended.
Both Magnus and Harald contributed in every possible way
the spread of the cult of Saint Olaf. Nidaros Cathedral as the main shrine
Norway and the tomb of the “Eternal King” began to build King Olaf the Quiet
(1067–1093), and construction was completed only in 1300. Canonization of Olaf
The saint was recognized in 1164 by Pope Alexander III.
In Norwegian historiography and folk memory
two images of Olaf coexist. One is the pious sovereign Olaf the Holy,
baptist and protector of the people, “Eternal King”. The other is the stern Viking Olaf
Fat, cutthroat and robber, for whom the spread of Christianity was
way to assert their own power. It is in many ways reminiscent of the contradictory
the image of the ancient Russian prince Vladimir – at the same time Equal-to-the-Apostles Vladimir
Saint and epic Vladimir the Red Sun.
Artem Efimov
Saint Olaf II Haraldsson King of Norway
commemorates July 29, old style
Foreword
In 1054, a sad event happened in the history of the Ecumenical Christian Church event:
it split into the Western, subordinate to the Pope (the current Roman Catholic Church),
and to the Eastern (Orthodox). But until 1054 it was one Church, and all her saints
belong to the assembly of saints of the Orthodox Church. However, the memory of many of these saints,
famous in Western and Northwestern Europe, gradually weakened. But some
of them were deeply revered in Rus’, and even in the center of Orthodoxy – Constantinople.
These half-forgotten saints include Holy Blessed Martyr King Olaf
patron of Norway and friend of the Russian Grand Duke Yaroslav the Wise .
The last saint of the undivided Church
The glorification of Olaf took place on August 3, 1031, that is, before the Great Schism of 1054.
It happened like this: a year after the death of the king, they decided to transfer his remains. When
opened the burial, it turned out that the body remained incorrupt. It was built by a local
bishop to the saints and became the last common saint for the Western and Eastern churches.
He was canonized by Pope Alexander III in 1164, after which he became
to be revered as the eternal heavenly patron of Norway – perpetuus rex Norvegiae.
In Orthodoxy, he is revered as St. Olaf of Norway.
According to the canon, on icons “it is appropriate to depict St. Olaf as red, so that it can be seen that this
the faithful king comes from the Varangians “. He is depicted wearing a crown, holding in his right hand
battle ax or ax with which his knee was struck. In the left hand – royal
regalia (scepter or apple-power), or ampoule – a vessel filled with incense. Kicking it
tramples on a dragon with a human face, which symbolizes paganism.
Sometimes instead of an ax in the hand of a saint, a spear is depicted, less often a sword, which he had
wounds are inflicted, and instead of a dragon, a snake or a demon in a different guise.
Decipher iconography
St. Olaf is sometimes difficult. The most unusual thing is when the dragon he tramples has the face of
Olaf. Perhaps this symbolizes the pagan past of the saint, or a demon in his guise,
who committed deeds discrediting the king, and whom the saint defeated at the cost of shed
of his blood.
The fate of St. Olaf, as well as the fortress named after him, is closely connected with the Russian
history. He was a friend of Prince Yaroslav the Wise. Very warm feelings and mutual
affection connected him with the wife of the prince – Ingigerda (Irina) .
In Northern Rus’, the name of St. Olaf was very revered, but the memory of him gradually weakened. In Novgorod already in
At the end of the 11th century, there was the church of St. Olaf, built for Gotland merchants. temples in his
honor erected in Staraya Ladoga and even in Constantinople.
I would like to tell you more about the life of St. Olaf and his stay on Russian soil.
Biography of King Olaf
Pigs. Asta was then serving with the Traveler. He raised Olaf son of Harald. Olaf
got angry early. He was handsome, of medium height. Since childhood, he was smart and eloquent.
This is how the Saga of Olaf the Saint begins, which is part of the “Circle of the Earth” – a collection of car about Norwegian
kings from ancient times until 1177.
Olaf Haraldsson – great-great-grandson of the founder of the Norwegian king dynasty Harald
Fairhaired . He was born in 995, the same year that his father, Harald the Greenlander ,
king in Vestfold, was burned by the Swedish queen Sigrid the Proud. Olaf’s mother shortly after
death Haralda married his second cousin, Sigurd the Pig , king in Hringariki.
“Olaf the son of Harald was short, stocky and strong. His hair was blond, his face
wide and ruddy, white skin, very beautiful eyes, sharp look, and it was scary
look into his eyes when he is angry.
Olaf mastered very many arts: well
He was an archery shooter, an excellent lancer, and a good swimmer. He himself was skilled in all sorts of
crafts and taught others. They called him Olaf the Fat. He spoke boldly and beautifully. He is early
became smart and strong, like a real man. All relatives and friends loved him. He was
stubborn in games and everywhere wanted to be the first, as it befitted him by his nobility and
origin.”
Already at the age of 12, Olaf goes on a campaign with the Vikings. He spent 8 years on campaigns, visited
in the service of King of England Ethelred II the Unreasonable and Duke of Normandy Richard II the Good ,
showing himself as a brave warrior and a talented leader. Olaf accepted baptism rather
in total, in 1013 in Rouen. After that, he returned to England, where he carried the defense of the country and
bypassed its coast on warships. Soon Ethelred died, and the Danish king Knut,
nicknamed the Mighty, married his widow Emma.
A quarrel with the new king caused Olaf to leave his court. He intended to take
trip to the Holy Land. “And when Olaf the king stood in Karlsara (Cadix) and waited for a passing
wind to sail to Nervasund (Strait of Gibraltar), and from there to Yor-salaheim
(Jerusalem), he had a wonderful dream, as if a stately and prominent one approached him, but
terrifying husband and spoke to him. He asked Olaf to abandon his intention
sail to distant lands: “Return to your homeland, because you will forever be a king
Norway .
This husband was Olaf’s predecessor, King Olaf I Tryggvason (963-1000).
King Olaf Tryggvason was the first to start an active Christianization of Norway, but could not
bring it to an end. In a naval battle with the Swedes, Danes and Norwegian traitors, the king
Olaf Tryggvason did not die, but was picked up by a neutral ship of the Wends and subsequently
became abbot of an Orthodox monastery in Syria .
This King Olaf has repeatedly appeared in
dream visions to his relative, also Olaf, the future saint, instructing him in Christianity
and blessing for deeds. Our hero understood this dream in such a way that he would rule the country and
by their countrymen for a long time.
Returning to his homeland ca. 1015, Olaf Haraldsson began to realize his cherished
ideas – to unite the disparate parts of the country into a single whole – Norway. In a short time
most of the country recognized his authority.
In 1024 at the Thing in Moster, after 9 years of missionary labors of King Olaf
Christianity is declared the only permitted religion. Norway becomes
Christian country. In the name of this goal, he acted harshly, taking away power and depriving
property of recalcitrant bonds. But he never avenged himself personally. So, for example, taking
power from five local rulers who plotted to kill him, he kept one
of them, giving due honor, and only after he had tried to kill him three times
Olaf, he was sent under guard to another place where he lived on full support.
Theft, corruption and robbery were eradicated: “It used to be in Norway that
the sons of landrmanns and bonds went to get their own good on warships and
robbed both in other countries and within the country. Olaf established peace in his country and
banned robbery. Those who violated this order were punished. The king ordered
kill the guilty or maim them, and neither requests nor ransoms helped here.
In addition, Olaf was always lucky. Once he argued with the king of Sweden
(also Olaf, called Shetkonung) about the border region. Agreed to resolve the dispute
lot by throwing the dice. “The king of the Swedes threw out two, six and said that Olaf king
there is no need to quit anymore. He answered, shaking the bones in his hands:
“There are two more sixes on the bones, and it doesn’t cost anything for my Lord God to do so,
for me to throw them away.
He rolled the dice and rolled two sixes. Then the king of the Swedes threw the bones and again
rolled two sixes.
Then Olaf, king of Norway, threw the bones again, and on one of
there were six knuckles, and the other cracked, and it turned out to be seven, and he won.
The kings then parted with the world.
Olaf and Ingigerda
Luck in this world, alas, is a fickle thing. Olaf Haraldsson wooed Ingigerda
daughter of Olaf the Swedish Schötkonung . She reciprocated and really wanted this marriage.
From the point of view of the Swedish nobility, this marriage was highly desirable for establishing
frontier world. Olaf of Sweden was forced to take an oath that he would give Ingigerda to
Olaf of Norway.
But the king of the Swedes hated St. Olaf in his heart and once said to his daughter:
“- You know, Ingigerda, no matter how much you love this fat man, you cannot be his wife, but he
your husband. I will marry you to a ruler worthy of my friendship. But I
I will never be a friend of the man who took my possessions and caused me a lot
damage by robberies and murders.
The next spring arrived from Holmgard (Novgorod) the ambassadors of King Yaritsleiv (prince
Yaroslav, later nicknamed the Wise) to woo the daughter of the king of the Swedes. Olaf of Sweden
went on perjury and gave his daughter to a Russian prince. Her condition was to receive
like a vein, all the possessions of jarl Aldeygyuborg (Staraya Ladoga) and himself Aldeigjuborg .
Ingigerda, who received the name Irina in Orthodoxy, is the future Grand Duchess of Kiev, and later
(most likely) – St. Princess Anna of Novgorod . The land is named after her Swedish name
Ingermanland , where Petersburg now stands.
This marriage was happy: “King Yaritsleif ruled in Gardariki and Princess Ingigerda,
King Olaf of Svens. She was wiser than all women and beautiful. The king is so strong
loved her that he could do almost nothing beyond her will.
Having lost Ingigerda, St. Olaf married her half-sister Astrid .
In Holmgard-Novgorod
punishments are too cruel, and many, losing relatives, became enemies of the king, even
if they were guilty and the king’s sentence was just. The people in the country therefore acted
against King Olaf, who did not want to obey his just sentences, and he was
rather ready to lose the title of king than to sacrifice justice. undeserved
reproaches that he was stingy with his people. He was very generous to his friends. People
because he went against him because he was considered too cruel and merciless in punishments, and
The king’s whip handed out money to the right and to the left. He also seduced noble people by the fact that
He promised everyone a high rank and power.
St. Olaf’s main opponent was Knut the Mighty, King of Denmark and England . He
took advantage of the fact that many in Norway were burdened by the need to fulfill Christian
laws. By sending large sums of gold and silver to some of them, Knut the Mighty
agreeing to accept him as their king.
After several unsuccessful battles, Olaf decides to leave the country where he
presence was no longer welcome. He goes first to Sweden, and from there at Holmgard
(Novgorod) , where his wife’s sister, Ingigerda, who became the wife of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, lived.
Astrid, the king’s wife, and Ulfhild , the daughter of the king, remained in Sweden, and Magnus , his
son, the king took with him to the east. St. Olaf was very warmly received in Novgorod by Yaroslav
Wise and Princess Irina and spent almost a whole year in Rus’.
In Novgorod, he indulged in deep thoughts and thoughts about how he should be
further. “King Yaritsleif and his wife Ingigerda offered Olaf the king to stay with them and
become the ruler of a country called Vulgaria “ (apparently, they offered land on
trade route to the Volga Bulgaria). But when he told his people about it, they became
dissuade him and urged him to return to Norway.
Olaf also had the idea of laying down
the title of king and go to Jerusalem, becoming a monk. But most of the time he thought about how
reclaim their possessions in Norway. He recalled that in the first 10 years of his reign, everything went
easily and successfully, and then, no matter what he did, everything was given with difficulty, and all good
initiatives were unsuccessful. And he doubted whether it was worth tempting fate and going with
with a small army against their enemies, when all the people joined them and opposed
him. He often turned his thoughts to God, asking for a sign of what was best for him to do.
These thoughts haunted him, and he did not know what to do, for he saw that he
get out of trouble, no matter what he does.
“One night Olaf was lying in his bed and could not sleep for a long time, thinking about what
let him decide. His heart was very restless. Finally he fell asleep. He saw a dream
but so clear that it seemed to him that he was not sleeping, but was seeing everything in reality.
He saw at his
the bed of a tall, handsome man in rich clothes. The king thought it was Olaf’s son
Tryggvi (Olaf I Tryggvason). This husband said to him: “You are suffering and do not know how
to enter? It surprises me that you can’t make up your mind, and also that you
was going to lay down the title of king, which is given to you from God, or wanted to stay
here and gain possession from foreign kings whom you do not know at all. Better
return to your possessions, which were inherited. You ruled there for a long time
God’s help and did not allow his subjects to intimidate him. The king’s glory is
to conquer his enemies, and a glorious death for him – to fall with his
people in battle. Or do you doubt that you will fight for a just cause? You do not have to
Lie to yourself. Therefore, you can safely return to your country, and God will give you
a sign that she is your possession”
After this dream, all doubts left him and he firmly decided to go back to Norway.
The first miracles performed by St.
Olaf also belong to his stay in Novgorod. Son’s
of one noble widow, a large abscess sprang up in her throat, and the boy could not eat anything. thought
that his days are numbered. Then his mother went to Princess Irina, as she was familiar with her.
“Go to King Olaf,” she says, “he is the best healer here, and ask him to touch
the hand of what hurts your son, and if he refuses, then tell me that I tell him about it
I beg”.
The widow did as the princess told her. Olaf went up to the boy, ran his hands over
his neck and felt it for a long time until the boy opened his mouth. Then the king took a piece of bread,
soaked it and placed it in the palm of his hand. Then he put this piece of bread
in the boy’s mouth, and he swallowed it, The boy immediately got rid of the pain, and after a few days
he was perfectly healthy.
At the beginning of 1030, St. Olaf went to Norway along the frozen Russian rivers. Princess
Irina persuaded him to leave his son Magnus to be raised at the court of Yaroslav the Wise.
The last battle
When the ice melted on the sea, Olaf sailed to Gotland with 240 warriors. Swedish king
Emund gave him another 480 men. Supporters joined him in Norway, and he had
3,600 men against 14,400 King Knut’s army – the largest ever assembled in
Norway. Then King Olaf decided to reduce his army even more, excluding all
unbaptized, and he had only 1,300 left.
Why did he do this? He probably didn’t want people to die because of him, who didn’t
the kingdom of heaven is open. But those who agreed to be baptized received instruction from him
in faith. That is why he did not neglect to take the robbers, which led to their correction.
The clergy of King Knut did not fail to take advantage of the rumors that St. Olaf
accepts robbers into his army, and immediately organized a hypocritical PR campaign
against him among the inhabitants of Norway.
The last battle of Olaf Haraldsson took place on July 29, 1030 in Stiklestad, ,
near Trondheim .
At night, he stayed awake for a long time and prayed for himself and his people.
Only at dawn did he doze off and had a dream that foreshadowed his imminent death: he ascended
up the stairs to heaven and reached the last step.
Saga says that on the day of the battle “the weather was fine and the sun was shining. But when
the battle began, then both the sky and the sun turned purple, and then suddenly it became dark, like
at night” . According to modern astronomy, a total eclipse of the sun took place on July 30
1030. The army of Bonds fought with the cry: “Forward, forward, army of Bonds!” , and the people of St.
Olaf – with the cry: “Forward, forward, people of Christ, people of the Cross, people of the king!” Troop
Olaf occupied the best position, but due to a significant superiority in strength, the enemy
repulsed the initial attack and successfully went on the offensive. About noon St. Olaf,
fighting a numerically superior enemy, was wounded several times, but continued
beat.
He died like this: “Thorstein the Shipmaster stabbed Olaf with his axe. The blow fell
on the left leg above the knee. Finn the son of Arnie immediately slew Thorstein. Having received this wound,
The king leaned on a stone, released his sword and turned to God with a plea for help. Then Thorir
The dog struck him with a spear, the blow fell below the chain mail, and the spear stuck into his stomach.
Then Calf struck the king with a sword, the blow fell on the left side of the neck. From these three wounds
the king is dead. After his death, almost everyone who fought alongside him fell.
The king’s body was secretly buried. After defeating Olaf, Knut’s henchmen became
to oppress the Norwegians, and many regretted that they had lost their king and their independence.
“Those who did not fight against King Olaf said: “Here you are … became friends with the Knutlings and
received from them a reward for fighting against Olaf the king and killing him.
To you
promised peace and better laws, but you received bondage and slavery, moreover, over you
bully and humiliate you.” There was nothing to answer. That winter, many began to say
that King Olaf was a saint, and they told of numerous testimonies of his holiness.
Many began to appeal to him in their prayers, asking him to help in their needs. Such prayers
helped many, some received healing from an ailment, others good luck on a journey or
anything else they needed.
Exactly a year has passed, and the body of the deceased king was miraculously found incorrupt. From
the sandy hill, where Olaf was first buried, was filled with a spring. water from this
source, many were cured of their ailments.
The body of St. Olaf was placed in the altar of the majestic cathedral in Trondheim , which became the site
numerous pilgrimages to this day.
The son of St. Olaf – Magnus, who remained in Novgorod at the court of Yaroslav the Wise, in 1035
was proclaimed king of Norway, having received the name Magnus I the Noble , or Good.
