Olav Haraldson, afterwards known as Saint Olav, introduced Christianity throughout Norway. On one of his Viking expeditions he had been converted and baptized. He was of an earnest character, and Christianity made a deep impression on his mind. He resolved to Christianize the whole country, and for that reason went from one district to another, building churches and installing priests. According to the custom of the times he often employed cruel means. The people were provoked and rose in rebellion, and Olav fled to Gardarike, or Russia. From thence he returned after a time with an army, and treated the people with great kindness, but they met him with a superior force at Stiklestad, where Olav was killed after a great slaughter, in the year 1030. He had then been king for about sixteen years.--Miracles were soon reported to have been wrought by his corpse, and after a few years he was canonized as a saint. His bones were put in a shrine, which afterwards was placed on the altar of the cathedral at Trondhjem, where they remained until the time of the Reformation. Pilgrimages were made to this relic from far and near; pilgrimages belonged to the superstitions of the times. 5. The Popes, The Monks The bishop of Rome soon became the most powerful among the bishops and was called pope, that is, papa (father). Some popes were pious, God-fearing men, who were zealous for the advancement of God’s kingdom on earth; others endeavored only to extend their own power and importance; and some were downright wicked. The popes claimed and claim to this day that they are the representatives of Christ on earth. They made the claim that Christ had placed Peter over the other apostles and over the whole Christian Church. Furthermore, that Peter was the first bishop in Rome, and that his power was inherited by the following bishops. As the vicegerents of Christ they, of course, must be infallible in doctrine; but they have nevertheless often advanced doctrines that were only human opinions, and even in direct opposition to the Scriptures. They established the doctrine to worship the virgin Mary and other dead men and women, and canonized them as saints. They claimed that these saints prevailed greatly with God, and therefore prayers must be offered to them for intercession and help. These saints were said through works of penitence and good deeds to have done not only enough to be saved themselves, but to have had a surplus of holiness. This treasure of sanctity the popes had a right to dispose of, and could even sell it for money. Thus arose the horrible sale of indulgences. Baptism and the old confession of faith, or the three Articles of Faith, remained unchanged; but the Lord’s Supper had been greatly changed. Laymen may only eat of the bread, but must not drink of the wine.