Christian beginnings are traditionally dated from the year 1000, when the Althing (parliament) votet the acceptance of Christianity. The introduction of the Reformation brought no immediate benefits. It also did not come without some violence, and Danish pressure accompanied the Althing's adoption of the new curch order in 1541. Also Oddur Gottskalksson’s translation of the New Testament into Icelandic was published in 1541. It became a landmark publication, saving the Icelandic language from becoming a Danish dialect.

Plans for Reformation 500

In Iceland, the question, How did the Reformation change Icelandic history?, has been raised within the framework of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation.  The church plans to:

• publish some educational books for children and some educational books on the Reformation

• organize annual Reformation weeks with focus on different themes such as mother tongue (language, Bible translations, education), vocation, home, role of the state in caring for spiritual and physical well-being of its people.
• install a door in the main church in Reykjavik and to nail on it the reformation theses composed by different church groups

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