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The Pilgrim Renaissance
During the last 25 years there has been a pilgrims' renaissance in Europe and the Nordic countries, for example the number of visitors to an important shrine in Spain, at Santiago de Compostela, has increased substantially. The Nordic countries and Nidaros Cathedral in particular are experiencing this phenomenon as a growing number of groups calling themselves "pilgrims" are making their way here. These groups come from all the Nordic countries, but especially from Sweden. The Nidaros tradition is especially popular with Norwegians and Swedes.
Tradition has it that the high altar of the Cathedral stands on the very spot where Saint Olav lay buried for a year. Throughout the Middle Ages Olav's shrine was also placed at this exact spot. |
This renaissance can also be observed in the great interest in signposting and walking the old pilgrim paths to Nidaros. Another example of this growing interest is that a new position for a minister serving pilgrims was established at the Cathedral in 1994.
Hand in hand with this there has been a revival in the idea of being a pilgrim "of today". Without this motivation there would be no pilgrimages, nor new pilgrim paths. Thus the pilgrim concept has proved to have the power to rejuvenate the Church as well as cultural and outdoor activities. |
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