ÓThe IslandsÓ
English language presentation 2002(2005)-2013
By
Fr.Svenn
The logo was
designed by the late Greta Rimington.
Oygarden(ÓThe IslandsÓ) Pastorate(geographically identical to the municipality
of the same name) has two Parishes, Blomvag and Hjelme and is situated on many
islands in the North Sea
West of Bergen, Norway.
The vicar of ÓThe IslandsÓ from 2002-2013 was
Fr.Svenn Martinsen, 62. He was
earlier priest in the Norwegian Armed Forces, Parish priest in Bud and Hustad, Outer
Romsdal, Fjell (ÓThe RockÓ) on Sotra Island. He is active in the Confessional
Movement of the Church of Norway and has been Regional Dean in the Western
District of the Free Synod.
He said about
his mission to ÓThe IslandsÓ:
Ó I am
just a small soldier in the army of
the Lord, striving to do God's will in a secular country and difficult church situation. I want to uphold the historic Christian Faith and
Order of the Church, Biblical, Apostolic and Catholic, and to resist all efforts to deviate from it. With confessional roots in the classic Old Church Symbols, the Small Catechism and the Confession of Augsburg, I seek to minister personally and sacramentally to
all who are faithful to the Great Tradition of the
Church, both within the Church and Norway and outside
of it, while working cooperatively for the creation of
an orthodox diocese of the Church of
Norway. Internationally I support the
efforts of creating a Third Province of the Anglican
Church, and an American-Anglo-Nordic Confederation of Christians, Church Bodies and Churches led by orthodox Bishops, to be in eucharistic communion with each other. I also
sincerely hope for unity in
truth and a communion of grace between
ourselves and Roman Catholic
brothers and sisters. There is only one
Apostolic and Catholic
Church of Christ!Ó
Among the inspirations for
the logo above are:
The fish-ÓIchtysÓ: Greek, known from the Early Church. The letters stand for:
JESUS-CHRIST-THE SON OF GOD-SAVIOUR. Used as code in persecution times.
Fish and Whale: The calling and life of the Prophet Jonah. Jonah as model of Christ.
The calling of Jesus of fishermen to be fishers of men. ÓThe theology of
fishermen.Ó(St.Gregor of Nyssa)
Jona 2,11; Matt. 4,18-22; 12,40
3 Fishes og 3 Bread: Eucharistic symbol from the sign and teaching of
Christ of the Bread of Life in the Gospel of John, Chapter 6. Points to our 3
churches, Blomvag, Hjelme and Hjelme Old.
Bread: The
one Bread and the one body of Christ. A holy, Apostolic and Catholic Church. A
communion of grace between Christians on the foundation of the Church, the
apostles and the prophets.
1.Cor.10,16-17
Triangle:
The Holy Trinity: The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Eye: God
has all power, He sees everything.
The Islands:
Biblical expression.ÓNorth of Svelgen bridgeÓ: Oygarden as a guardian of
traditional Christian values.
Oygarden (previously Herdla) Pastorate.
Is 42,10
Colours:
The most common 4 colours from the Holy year of the Church:
Purple: Advent, Lent, Repentance and Confession.
White: The feasts of Christmas and Easter, Easter
Time, Feast: The Sacraments of Marriage and Baptism.
Red: The feast of Pentecost: The Holy Spirit,
Witness, The Charismal Gifts, Confirmation and Mission.
The Holy Spirit: The West Wind.
-He comes with Wind and Rain!
He melts, cleans, nourishes and warms.
He comes with revival, new life and new power to the
Church.
A West Wind for the Church!
Green: The growth of Christ in us(Sundays after
Christmas) Our growth in Christ(Sundays after Trinity)
The circle:
The eternal God. We are called home to His Eternal Kingdom.
The ring:
The faithfulness of the bride(The Church of Christ) towards the Bridegroom(Christ). A right Bishop is faithful towards Christ and His
Church.
A golden ring among the ÓstrilsÓ[1]:
A ring of an unknown bishop was found on Church
Island, Hernar, 1944. Oygarden Pastorate has links to Celtic Christianity, the
St.Magnus-tradition in the Orkney Islands, Church and Christian Life in
Northern Europe, on the other side of the North Sea and the Atlantic, in the
UK, Isle of Man, Ireland and North America, and the great tradition of the
Church, founded on the Apostolic Witness about Christ in the Holy and True Word
of God.
Each Sunday we celebrate Mass
in one of our churches. During the homily, the children may go to their Sunday
School group. Regularly there is a special Service for families with small
children. In our churches we have two choirs for children from 4 years up to 13
years old, we have a youth choir, different children groups, various weekend
camps for all ages from 7 years to 16 years old, as well as bible study groups.
The West Wind of the Church!
Christ the Lord is King!
Viva el Cristo Rey!
ÓThe LORD reigneth;
let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof(and)Éwait for
his law.Ó
Psalm.97,1+Is.42,4(King James)Is.42,12;
49,1; 60,9
If you would like to get in touch, you may email me