St. Brita Who Saw the Devil in Church

Sweden · Church

Holy Brita saw the Evil One slip into church and write down all who slept through the sermon — on a goatskin he bit until he cracked his head on a pillar.

St. Brita was so holy that she could see more than others, even the Evil One when he slipped into God's house. Once during her devotions she saw him, invisible to others, settle by a pillar and begin writing down on a goatskin the names of all who slept through the sermon. When the skin would not hold any more, he bit it with his teeth to stretch it, but lost his grip and cracked the back of his head hard against the pillar. Brita could then not keep from laughing, and after that moment she never saw the Evil One again.

More haunted places nearby

• Ghost Hotel Gasten (Liseberg) Västra Götaland · Amusement park
• The Dog That Leapt into the Grave, Locknevi Småland · Cemetery
• The Evil One in the Smithy, Malmbäck Småland · Haunted site
• The Strange Herdsman with Hooves, Knäred Halland · Site of legend
• The Protective Circle at Gammelstad Church Norrbotten · Church
• Sven the Fiddler and the Promised Girl, Mulseryd Småland · Site of legend
• The Evil One as a Servant, Västra Tunhem Västergötland · Site of legend
• The Money and the Bones in Halvard's Cottage at Dalby Värmland · Site of legend

Accounts are drawn from local folklore and visitor reports.