Henry

Saint Henry, an English-born cleric of the mid-twelfth century, is remembered as a missionary bishop linked with the early shaping of the Church in the Nordic lands. He came to Sweden in 1153 with Cardinal Nicholas Breakspeare, later Pope Adrian IV, and was likely intended for high service in the Swedish Church at Uppsala. Tradition holds that Henry was then sent to strengthen the faith in Finland, where Christian roots already existed, and that he entered the country alongside King Eric of Sweden during the First Swedish Crusade. According to cherished legend, Henry remained among the Finnish people as a preacher and shepherd. His ministry was sealed by martyrdom when, after seeking to impose a just penance on a murderer, he was killed—often said to be by the peasant Lalli. Stories of miracles following his death deepened devotion to him, and his cult became closely associated with Turku and the growing Christian identity of Finland. Venerated as the patron saint of Finland, Saint Henry is celebrated on January 19.