Vicelinus

Who was Vicelinus?

Saint Vicelinus was a German bishop of Oldenburg in Holstein who was considered the apostle of Holstein.

Orphaned at an early age, Vicelinus received his primary education at Hamelin, his birthplace. He left secretly for Paderborn, where he enjoyed the home and instructions of Hartmann, and soon surpassed his companions and assisted in the management of the cathedral school.

Vicelinus was called to Bremen to act as teacher and principal of the school, and was offered a canonry by Archbishop Frederick of the Archbishopric of Hamburg-Bremen. In 1122 he may have gone to Laon to complete his studies. Thereafter he went to Magdeburg and was ordained priest by St. Norbert of Xanten, Archbishop of Magdeburg. However, his hope to be emitted as missionary to the Slavs did not materialise, so he returned to Bremen. Hamburg-Bremen's Archbishop Adalbero sent him among the Polabian Slavs, and in the fall of 1126 Henry, Prince of the Obotrites, gave him a church in Liubice, near the site of the later Lübeck. At the death of Henry Vicelinus returned to Bremen, and was appointed pastor at Wippenthorp. This gave him an opportunity to work among the Wagrians and neighbouring Obotrites.