No surprise. Years ago no longer predicts the need for conversion to Catholicism to save her. (Traduccion digital google's site Jerusalem Post t click here) In his speech Tuesday to welcome Pope Benedict XVI in the Heichal Shlomo in Jerusalem, adjacent to the Great Synagogue, the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger said that the pontiff had agreed that the Catholic Church for an end to all missionary activity among the Jews, and he appreciated the gesture. When part of Norway, King Sigurd had 18 years. I organize a group of 60 boats, each with 100 men (on a total army of about 6,000) and set sail from Bergen in the autumn of 1108. At issue, besides the military, had peasants and slaves. Among the crew had intended to get rich, and the slaves traveling on the promise of obtaining freedom.
The trip took three years (1108-1111). Sigurd pass the winter in southern England, where he met with King Henry I. In the spring of 1109 continued the journey along the coast of France and northern Spain. Until then, the trip went smoothly, as in northern Spain ruled Christian kings who had started the Reconquista. The Norwegian king would remain a long time in the holy city of Santiago de Compostela.
When continuing the journey to the south, facing constant skirmishes against Muslims, both to obtain supplies and to weaken the Islamic dominance in Spain and Portugal. Fought in Sintra, Lisbon and Alcacer do Sal, helping these towns were incorporated into the Christian domain.
In the spring of 110 across the Strait of Gibraltar and continued fighting against Muslims and pirates in Formentera, Ibiza and Menorca. In the summer came to Sicily and the island remained a time, hosted by the Norman Count Roger II of Sicily.
Balduino kings Sigurd and riding toward the Jordan River. Illustration by Gerhard Munthe in HEIMSKRINGLA, 1899.
In early autumn the Committee came to the Holy Land, and the ships anchored in the harbor of St. John of Acre, a city where Sigurd was received by King Baldwin I of Jerusalem. Sigurd visit Jerusalem and the holy sites in the area, including the Jordan River where Jesus had been baptized.
Sigurd Baudouin received from the hands of a relic supposedly a piece of the True Cross, the Norwegian king swear to bring the grave of St. Olaf in the Nidaros Cathedral.
Although the city of Jerusalem had been conquered by the Christian army in the First Crusade (1099), was still large areas of the north of the Holy Land in the hands of the Saracens. Sigurd gave military support to Baldwin, and both captured the city of Sidon, while Baudouin cudad the attack by land, Norway did the fleet by sea.
In the new year of 1111, Sigurd leaving the Holy Land. Visited Cyprus and the Peloponnese, and later Constantinople (which the Norwegians call Miklagard). In the imperial city received honors from Alejo I, and remained there a short time before returning to Norway overland.