Sven of Arboga

Venerable Martyr Sven of Arboga was born in Arboga, in Sweden, at the end of the first millennium. After he was baptized and became a monk, he returned to his homeland to preach the Gospel. Gentle, peaceful and humble, he drew to the faith the poor and oppressed, and also some Vikings and their chieftains, by word and by love.

Seeing this, the servants of the idols stirred up the crowd against him and stoned him to death on the stone of the pagan altar at Arboga. From the blood that ran on the stone a healing spring is said to have welled up, which brought healing to Christians and for centuries remained a comfort, especially in times of plague. The faithful laid his body to rest with honour, and a small church was built on the place of the martyrdom.

Saint Sven is a saint of the undivided Church in Sweden. He is commemorated on 24 September (new style).