Institution
Ásatrúarfélagið
Iceland's state-recognized heathen association, with its own hof completed in Reykjavík
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About
Ásatrúarfélagið is Iceland's association for the old Norse religion, founded in 1972 and recognized by the Icelandic state in 1973 as the first legally recognized heathen organization in the world. It maintains the practice of ásatrú, the faith in the old gods, with an active ritual calendar of blót ceremonies, naming rites (nafngjöf), weddings (hjónavígsla), coming-of-age rites (siðfesta) and funerals, all performed by its ordained goðar.
The association's hof, the first temple to the old gods built in Iceland in a thousand years, stands at Öskjuhlíð above Reykjavík, and it anchors a live community calendar: general assemblies (allsherjarþing) in the hof, open house events, seasonal blót gatherings and lectures, with news and events published through 2026. Its lögrétta, the governing council, is elected by the membership.
Ásatrúarfélagið publishes the old poems and teaching material, offers its ceremonies publicly, and registers members through the Icelandic state system. For heathen practice in Europe it is the institutional benchmark: a national religious body with real clergy, real buildings and a real liturgy, rooted in the Icelandic tradition. The institution's stated mission: To maintain and revive the old Norse religion of Iceland.
Mission
To maintain and revive the old Norse religion of Iceland.
History
Ásatrúarfélagið was founded in 1972 and state-recognized in 1973, becoming the world's first legally recognized heathen body. Its hof at Öskjuhlíð in Reykjavík, the first temple to the old gods built in Iceland in a thousand years, opened its doors for blót, naming rites, weddings and funerals performed by its goðar.