Þorláksmessa

Þorláksmessa (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈθɔrlauxsˌmɛsːa], Mass of St. Thorlac) is an Icelandic holiday celebrated on December 23. It is a celebration in honor of Þorlákur Þórhallsson, bishop of Skálholt, who was canonized and recognized as the patron saint of Iceland in 1984, centuries after his death on December 23, 1193. The day is also celebrated in the Faroe Islands, where it's called Tollaksmessa.

In modern times, Þorláksmessa has become part of Christmas: on the 23rd, many people finish decorating their houses and the Christmas tree, and buy Christmas presents. On Þorláksmessa evening in Reykjavík, many go out and stroll down Laugavegur.

In western Iceland it is customary to eat buried and fermented skate along with potatoes on Þorláksmessa; in recent years, this custom has become common in the rest of the country as well. The ammonia-infused odor of fermented skate is quite strong, similar to that of hákarl.

See also


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