Words from the Allsherjargoði

Victory is in the air! July saw amazing Sigrblótar at all 4 Hofs plus Sigrheim. We have had a surge in new members joining as well as interested people attending events. The Folk are waking up and coming home to our ancestral faith. I am proud of what all we have accomplished in the first 30 years of the AFA. I am particularly pleased with where we are at present. I am very excited about the momentum we have going forward. As I often say in these articles, now is an amazing time to be a part of the AFA and to be Ásatrú.

I would like to talk to you about 3 men who we now honour as Ásatrú heroes.  First there is Járnskeggja (Iron-Beard). When Olaf Tryggvason was forcibly converting Norway with fire and sword, Járnskeggja stood strong as a local leader who wanted to stay true to the Æsir. Járnskeggja was cut down on the Hof steps while protecting the altar of Lord Þórr from Olaf and his men's desecration. 

Our next two heroes stand out as they were loyal to the Æsir when very few were, these men both lived in the 15th century. Both men were killed because they had dedicated themselves to Óðinn. Erik Klasson and Ragnvald Odiakarl. Both men were burned at the stake because they were openly Ásatrúar. What Ásatrú looked like in their day is very interesting to consider, and I get the impression that it was largely personal devotion between individuals and one or more of the Æsir.

Járnskeggja will be honored with a Day of Remembrance each year on May 9th.

Erik Klasson will be honored with a Day of Remembrance each year on June 13th.

Ragnvald Odiakarl will be honored with a Day of Remembrance each year on October 27th.

Matthew D. Flavel Allsherjargoði, Asatru Folk Assembly

mattflavel@runestone.org

~ From The Runestone, August 2025 ~