Vikings; Odin, Ragnar, and Catholic Priests.

A tandem premier with "The Bible" started about seven weeks ago on the History Channel called "Vikings." Big success these two were. A double shot of awesome, these two took up a three hour block on Sunday nights. In true Viking fashion, the show ransacked and pillaged the ratings for Sunday night television.

The previews were intense and made the show appear to be a worthwhile broadcast, so I DVR'd the first show and checked it out the Monday after the premier. I was hooked. The main character Ragnar and his family draw anyone in with their charisma, will to succeed, and defy the corrupt Earl Haraldson who struggled for power against Ragnar who is a natural leader and consequently a threat to the chair. The series really got me interested with the introduction of a Catholic priest. During an unauthorized rain on England, Ragnar sacks a settlement of monk priests, stealing everything including one particular priest. He gets back to the village expecting a warm welcome but because of Ragnar's deception, the Earl confiscates all the treasure and lets the raiding party retain one item from the lot. Ragnar chooses the priest as his slave. Ragnar recognized the priest is no fool, as demonstrated with his linguistic skills, resourcefulness, and willingness to serve. The priest, in the least of words, is inspiring to any viewer; steadfast in his faith, accepting of this place God has allowed him to be, and so-on.

After an episode, the priest makes a foolish mistake though. He tells Ragnar everything about his homeland and its churches, leading Ragnar to propose a raid on the next village and subsequently, its priests.

I wont ruin the story because you have to watch it for yourself. The show is not a family oriented series by any means. The first episode contains passionate love-making with Ragnar and his wife, where his son is asked "where are your parents" and with a semi-embarrassing frown replies "they're having sex." Be careful little eyes what you see, but no nudity. This show is mature. Regular battle scenes depict gruesome deaths but do not show distinct blows or cuts necessarily. It is not the Saw or Sin City of television but attempts to bring accuracy to the brutality of war and life in 9th century Europe.

As I mentioned, the priest is easily the most dynamic and worth while part of the show, to see his faith endure though he is surely put to the test. He regularly defends his faith though mocked, threatened, and tempted by the open sexual lifestyle of pagans.

Other than ratings, it has reached the social media as well. After the recent attacks at the Boston Marathon someone commented to the effect of "they better convert, worship Thor, or they will not enter Valhalla." If they knew their Norse religion better, they would know Odin occupies the Hall of Valhalla. But anyways...  So this show is good in the sense of entertainment and the priest is a nice addition that keeps me watching week-to-week but the historical depictions in the show let me to research very briefly the historicity of the real Vikings. In America we hear of Leif Erikson having sailed here centuries before Columbus and Juan Ponce de Lion, so I had to see what the real story was.

Ragnar Lothbrok was apparently a real person, commander, and Viking. I'll let the reader educate themselves better on the details, which spoil in-part the show. Vikings though... a different depiction you and I have known our whole lives, is a whole world different from what most historians and experts and evidence portrays as a real Viking. Yes they raided, probably raped, and were generally feared by all. Roman, English, French and other European source confirm the terror of the Vikings but what you and I missed is their common willingness to settle, trade, and become partners with neighboring city-states. The feudal age was just upon the world and unless you have some historical education with you, and even then, it is tough to understand and to grasp life in the those times. Like the difference between 19th Century India and 21st Century America.

Bottom line, the historical Viking has been altered in the last 100-150 years. The only depiction of a Viking wearing horns is two drawings among hundreds or more and experts say it is most likely ceremonial in some way. The most common depictions and descriptions is of the likeness to that of decently dressed Europeans for the time. So were they they blood thirsty, ever combative nomads bearing animal skins and dressed like demons? Probably not and the experts say definitely not. Their seriousness for the Norse religion though, is true until Scandinavians Denmark and Sweden and other seafaring Germanic people were converted into Christianity.

Vikings, particularly the Scandinavians convert but not without some time and resilience. Many tried and offered their lives in the effort to preach the Gospel. It took over 400 years to convert all of the Scandinavia and until the 19th century, the Samis, a European remnant of the Norse religious populous, held out on conversion. Denmark in 1104, Norway in 1154, and Sweden in 1164, established their own Archdioceses, responsible directly to the Holy See.

Criticism exists. Some suggest a religious conversion offered a political opportunity. Kings, who like Ragnar were driven by the apparent value of Christian sacramentals and seeing this as wealth, would have converted. Others cite the reception of a bright white baptismal gown worth the conversion alone. Because of the allegiance to their lieges, lords, or vassals during the feudal age, many would have felt compelled to convert if their masters did. Either way, it happened.

 They were different times. Freedom and daily life were so far from what it means to you and me. The Vikings director commented behind the scenes, "I want it to be as if we are brushing shoulders with the real Vikings." With the proper dose of Hollywood, he might just have done that, or come close. Enslaved priests, power struggles, heavy devotion to pagan Gods mythical and contemporary are a part of each series as they were in each day circa 1000a.d.

Primative Persecution: Tarcisius

I want to share a story of persecution from the primitive Church.

When the emperor Valerian ordered the execution of bishops, priests, and deacons, Christians attended Mass in basements and in the catacombs outside the city walls. Deacons would take Communion to Christians for whom getting to Mass was too dangerous. On one such occasion, no deacon was available. The priest did not know what he would do until his alter boy, a young Roman boy of 11 names Tarcisius stepped forward after Mass and said that he would carry Communion to some Christians waiting inside the city walls. The priest admired Tarcisius for his grit, gave him the Sacred Hosts wrapped in silk along with a quick blessing, and sent him toward the city.

All was going well until Tarcisius ran into some pagan boys his own age who asked him to come and join their game. Tarcisius thanked them, explained he had an errand to run, but said he would join them later.

“Oh! Christian boy.”  One of the pagan boys sneered. “Is is that you think you are too good to play with us?” And they circled around Tarcisius.

“Not at all,” said Tarcisius. “I have something to deliver and must be on my way.”

“Well – show us what it is! What is the big secret, Christian boy?”

“It is no business of yours,” said Tarcisius, looking each of the boys squarely in the eye. “Now step aside and make way.”

Rather than step aside, the pagan boys closed their circle around Tarcisius, and as they did they picked up heavy sticks and rocks from the ground. One of them shouted, “I bet he’s carrying the Christian Mysteries!”

“Are you, Christian boy?” demanded another. “Show us!”

Tarcisius, clutching his precious cargo to his chest made a dash for what looked like an opening in the circle, but he was not quick enough. The mob of boys closed in around him and they began to club him with stones and heavy sticks. Tarcisius did not cry out, but quietly prayed, ever clutching the Blessed Sacrament to his chest.

The pagan boys beat him to death.

With bloodies hands, they seized the bruised and broke n body of Tarcisius and tried to twist the silk cloth carrying the Eucharist out of his dead arms. Although he had no life left in him, Tarcisius would not let go of our Lord. The boys tried for hours to pry his arms open but they failed and failed again. They left Tarcisius body by the side of the road for the vultures to eat.

After a time, some Christians went looking for Tarcisius, and when they found his broken and bloodied corpse still clinging to the Blessed Sacrament, they guessed what had happened. Carefully lifting the small boy's body, they gently bore it back to the priest, who by now had grown deeply concerned about his young altar boy. Christians set the boy’s body at the foot of the priest, who knelt down and quietly brushed Tarcisius’ hair, matted with blood, away from his face and with his thumb made the sign of the cross on his forehead. At that moment, Tarcisius’ body unfolded its arms and released the Blessed Sacrament to the priest, and all who witnessed this knew that here was a Holy Christian boy who had held Jesus in his arms and who now was being held forever in the arms of Jesus.  

The young boy Tarcisius’ was canonized and his feast day is 15 August.

The story was taken from Catholic Answers magazine from the March-April 2011 issue, p. 11.