The Festival of St. Henry of Finland, Bishop and Martyr
Posted on January 19, 2026 by under
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NKJV)
1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
Devotion
St. Henry of Finland was a martyr who died because he assigned penance to a murderer named Lalli. All faithful ministers of Christ know that they are required to do their duty in that office up to and including their own martyrdom. As believers in Christ, we trust that God will fulfill His promises to us, and we look forward to a new heaven and a new earth, which are among the promises that He has made to us. This is our ultimate consolation in tribulation—that even the worst things the devil, the world, and our flesh can throw at us pale in comparison to the great things that God has in store for those who believe in Him.
This is also a great comfort to us when tribulation does not require the shedding of blood. For our God is a God of mercy, of comfort, and of healing. When we must suffer, we can suffer knowing that the prophets, the apostles, and even our Lord Himself suffered to the point of death. Whatever we are facing will probably not go that far, and even if it does, God will remember His promises. He did for the prophets, the apostles, and for other martyrs, like St. Henry.
Collect: O God, Who dost guide Thy Church through the faithful ministrations of Thy servants, grant that Thy ministers, like St. Henry, stand steadfast against those who would work iniquity; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany of our Lord
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who dost govern all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of Thy people, and grant us Thy peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
