Gísli Jónsson

Current church of Selárdalur on Arnafjörður

Gísli Jónsson (* around 1515; † September 3, 1587 ) was a Protestant bishop of Skálholt in the south of Iceland .

Family and education

Gísli Jónsson was the son of pastor Jón Gíslason of Hraungerði in the Flói district in the south of Iceland. He initially received his school education from Ögmundur Pálsson in Skálholt. For further training, he traveled to Germany, where he became acquainted with Evangelical Lutheran Christianity and became its follower.

Professional background

From 1538 he worked as a pastor in Skálholt and represented the Reformation there . From 1546 he can be found as pastor of Selárdalur in Arnarfjörður .

Jónsson fled to Denmark because of disputes with Jón Arason , the Catholic bishop of Hólar , who accused him of blasphemy , spreading false beliefs and resisting church laws in the course of the Counter-Reformation .

In 1551, after the execution of Jón Arason, he returned to Iceland and Selárdalur. In 1556 he was elected Bishop of Skálholt and consecrated in 1558 .

Translations

Gísli was a keen advocate of Lutheran Christianity and translated numerous texts to promote its spread in Iceland. In 1558 he published a book of psalms .

marriage and family

His wife was Kristín Eyjólfsdóttir. With her he had numerous children, some of whom became pastors, e. B. Stefán, who received the rich parish of Oddi .

Web links

• Skálholt's website (Icelandic)

predecessor	Office	successor
Marteinn Einarsson	Bishop of Skálholt 1558 - 1587	Oddur Einarsson

Note: Icelanders are referred to by their first name or first and last name, but not just their surname. Further information can be found under Icelandic personal name .