Saint Botvid
Saint Botvid | |
|---|---|
 Saint Botvid | |
| Martyr | |
| Born | Södermanland, Sweden |
| Died | 1120 Södermanland, Sweden |
| Major shrine | Salem, Sweden |
| Feast | 28 July |
Saint Botvid was a Christian missionary in Sweden during the 11th and early 12th centuries.
Biography
Botvid, who was born in
Lake Mälaren. According to legend, Botvid was killed with an axe while boating near Rågö in the archipelago of Södermanland
. Botvid was buried in Salem Church (Salems kyrka) around the year 1120 which led to the church becoming a pilgrimage church.
Legacy
Saint Botvid is shown on the seal and coat of arms of
Botkyrka Municipality, where he carries an axe and a fish. Botkyrka is Swedish and short for "Botvid's Church". Saint Botvid is one of the guardian saints of Södermanland along with Saint Eskil who had his base in the city of Eskilstuna in eastern Södermanland.[2]
Saint Botvid's Spring
Saint Botvid is associated with Saint Botvid's Spring (Sankt Botvids källa), an
Salem Municipality (Salems kommun) in Stockholm County
.
In a medieval tradition, a spring would always be found in connection to the death of a saint. According to legend, when the remains of Saint Botvid were transported to the church in today's Botkyrka, the casket was temporarily put down near the shore of Lake Bornsjön, where a spring welled up. It continues to provide clear water to this day.[3]
References
- ISBN 9780199596607
- ^ Sweden; The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 14. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912
- ^ Salems och Botkyrkas eget helgon Sankt Botvid (Salemsboken. Salems kommun) Archived 2010-08-21 at the Wayback Machine