Saint Thorlak of Iceland

Thorlak Thorhallsson was born in Iceland in 1133 and studied for the priesthood in Paris and Lincoln, England. Back home he founded an Augustinian monastery at Thykkvabær and in 1178 became bishop of Skálholt. He worked hard to reform the Church in Iceland, insisting on the holiness of marriage, the freedom of the Church from powerful chieftains and a more devout life for clergy. He died on December 23, 1193, and was declared a saint by the Icelandic parliament in 1198; Pope John Paul II confirmed him as patron of Iceland in 1984.

Icelanders call December 23 Þorláksmessa (St. Thorlak's Mass) and traditionally eat a meal of fermented skate that day while finishing their Christmas preparations.