The Grand Priory of Sweden
- PILGRIMAGE 7th September 2013. After participating in both the pilgrimage and the inauguration of thepilgrim St.Olav this weekend, I feel extra proud of our Order today! SHOSJ was the only Order that had permission to participate in the mass wearing our capes. It was with pride and honour that I, as the Prior of St.Gregorius, along with my brothers walked across the floor of the Nidaros cathedral to receive Holy Communion from the one Dean's hands. More official in religious contexts and accepted in Sweden and in Norway, we probably never before have been in a long time and I am totally convinced that everyone who attended will remember the three black-clad knights incognito walked side by side with the pilgrims to reach the goal of the Cathedral of Nidaros, suddenly be wearing more clothing sitting in the south wing under the English flag and Norwegian Coat of Arms (red background with a lion).The Norwegian Coat of Arms is reaching back to medieval times, and there aresimilarities with old English (Henrik II) and Scottish Coat Of Arms. Andthose who remember from the history, King Richard the Lionheart?s Coat of Arms is similar (red ground with three lions). Rickard was the one with his last action made an agreement that all European pilgrims would get free access to Jerusalem, a city where our Order have a long history. So with our participation in the Pilgrimage we linked up our own history with a rededication of a pilgrim in modern society. To honour this very special occasion and our Order, the Priory of St Gregorius created a special medal for those who has fulfilled the Pilgrimage and we also decorated the two project leaders, Putte Eby and Kjartan Bergslid, with the St. Gregorius special St. Olav medal!
- The main charity work conducted by the Grand Priory of Sweden with its two Priories, the Priory of St. Ansgar (Stockholm) and the Priory of St. Gregorius (Östersund), is to support the Swedish Aphasia Foundation (in Stockholm and Östersund). This cooperation and support has been on-going for several years and is much appreciated and needed. The charity work is funded through donations, raffles, and a lottery to mention only a few. However, the funding also enables us to provide our main charity, which is given by "labour work." This means that our members support the Aphasia members in different activities, such as:
• A walk on the town
• Guided tours of interesting sights (i.e. Karlberg Castle)
• Excursions
• Lecturing (i.e. the Swedish Royal Family history, Mozart, SHOSJ, etc.)
• Wine and cheese tasting
• Champagne tasting
• "Pea Soup" tasting (a typical Swedish famous dish)
• BBQ
- The Prior of St Gregorius and also a well-known explorer has spent a lot of his time to follow several Pilgrim path and raised money while doing this. Below you will find path he has conducted and money raised while doing this.
• The Abraham Path in Jordan, 360 km raised funds needed during the Path
• Jacobs Path to Santiago de Compostela, 800 km. Raised funds needed during the Path
• Canterburyroad via Francigena to To Rome, 1,100 km. Raised funds for needed during the Path
• Paulus Path to Jerusalem, 470 km. Raised funds needed (Honoured with Cross of Honour in gold).
• St. Olav Path to Nidaros Trondheim Norway, 580 km. Raised funds needed during the Path
• Kilimanjaro. Equipment and clothes to different carrier.
• Fundraising until today for UNICEF
