XLVIII
“ONLY A POOR PILGRIM TO THE HOLY LAND”
The year 1000 that saw Norway snatched from the hands of Olaf Tryggevesson, was a memorable period in European affairs. Some predictions had foretold that this closing year of the tenth century would also see the closing of the world’s history. It was believed that the Day of Judgment was at hand; and that Christ would appear upon earth and would sit in judgment on Mount Sion. Some were so far influenced by these ideas as to dispose of their worldly possessions, and prepare for the Millennium. Others repaired for the Holy Land in the belief of the second coming of the Saviour.
In spite of these conditions, the Church was urgently working to propagate the faith of Christ in many lands. Since the fifth century when the belief in the Millennium had been so prevalent, the Church had endeavored to disabuse the popular mind of this belief; and at last had formally pronounced against the doctrine of millenarianism, or the belief in the near approach of the end of the world.
One of the most prominent figures in European history at this time was Otho III, Emperor of Germany.
