228. Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland and Reykjavik’s Rainbow Street

https://youtu.be/y3dN-JWfrm8

The majority of the Icelandic people belong to The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland (ELCI). There are strong ties between the state and the church, even if the church has gradually become more independent during the past two decades. The Icelandic Constitution guarantees religious freedom and also obliges the state to support and protect the Evangelical Lutheran Church as the National Church of Iceland. A clear majority of Icelandic children are baptized and confirmed within the ELCI, and most funerals are carried out by Lutheran pastors. This does not mean that churches are crowded every Sunday morning. The fact is that a lot of people have relatively loose ties with the church. It is still the case, however, that the church plays a significant role within the Icelandic community.

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Christianity became the public religion in Iceland around the year 1000. The first Christian missionaries were sent by the king of Norway. Although none of the missionaries were very successful, by the year 1000 there were enough Christians in Iceland to divide the nation into two rival groups, a Christian and a pagan one. In the summer of 1000, a divided nation gathered at Althing, the Icelandic parliament, well-armed and on the brink of a civil war. The leaders of the Christian faction had come directly from Norway, and had promised King Olafur of Norway, to do everything in their power to make Christianity the official religion of the country. Despite their weapons, the leaders of both groups were well-trained diplomats who were willing to go the extra mile for the sake of peace. After some initial deliberations, the leader of the pagan group was chosen to deliver a final verdict in the matter. According to the Sagas, this man went away to his own tent and remained there for three days and three nights before he gave what has been considered the most powerful and influential speech given in the history of our country.

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Unfortunately, the change from Catholicism to Lutheranism in the sixteenth century was not nearly as peaceful as the conversion from paganism to Christianity. At the time of the Reformation, Iceland belonged to the Danish kingdom, where the Lutheran Church became the National Church in 1537. At this time, there were two bishops in Iceland, one located in Skálholt, in the south, while the other one resided in Hólar, in the north. In 1540, the bishop in Skálholt, Ögmundur Pálsson, who had become old and blind, sent his designated successor, Gissur Einarsson, to Denmark, in order to be ordained the bishop of Skálholt. The bishop did not know that this young man, who had been educated in Germany, had during his studies been greatly influenced by the theological message of Martin Luther. It was the Danish King who decided that Gissur Einarsson would become the first Lutheran bishop in Iceland. The old bishop and his colleague in Holar, Bishop Jón Arason, tried their best to prevent the change from the old tradition to the new one. A key player in this transition was the king of Denmark. In 1541, the king sent his army to Iceland in order to arrest the old bishop in Skálholt and bring him to Denmark. The bishop in the north kept up his fight on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church until 1550, when he was finally defeated and executed, together with two of his sons.

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The Rainbow Street in Iceland, also known as Skólavörðustígur, is a vibrant and colorful street located in the heart of Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland. The street runs from the famous Hallgrímskirkja church down to the main shopping street, Laugavegur. The Rainbow Street is known for its charming and picturesque buildings, which are painted in a wide range of bright colors. The buildings house a variety of shops, cafes, restaurants, and galleries, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The street is particularly popular for its unique and colorful photo opportunities. One of the most striking features of the Rainbow Street is the presence of several art installations, such as the “Floating Piers” by Yoko Ono, a series of reflective metal circles embedded in the pavement. Another popular installation is the “Dreamers” by Jón Gunnar Árnason, a series of glass prisms that reflect the sunlight and create a rainbow effect. Overall, the Rainbow Street in Iceland is a colorful and vibrant street that showcases the artistic and cultural spirit of Reykjavik. Its unique charm and beauty make it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Iceland.

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