Every year on January 9, many followers of the pagan faith in Scandinavia and Iceland celebrate Raud the Strong Day.
Raud the Strong is known for his refusal to accept the Christian faith, which King Olaf of Norway tried to instill for political purposes.
Raud was a Norwegian landowner and was one of the followers of the Asatru faith. He gave his life for his faith and loyalty to the gods of Asatr.
Asatru — is a pagan religion based on the deification of the forces of nature, preserving the traditions and folklore of the indigenous population of their country. Asatru's mystical basis is Scandinavian mythology.
King Olaf Trygvason of Norway executed Raud by releasing a poisonous snake through Raud's throat. This crime was a kind of act of rejection of Asatru. Afterwards, Trygvason confiscated the lands of Raud, and with them all his wealth.
Today, pagans celebrate this holiday by drinking a horn (or goblet) of wine or brandy in honor of Raud the Strong.
Help. Currently, communities of Asatru followers exist in Iceland (the first, since 1973), Denmark, Norway, and Russia.