According to the "Saga of Olav Tryggvason" (king of Norway from 990 to 1000 AD), there were worship of "the Holy Men resting at Selja and Kinn". Both islands - Kinn and Selja - were places of pilgrimage in medieval times. Often the pilgrims were on their route to Trondheim (Nidaros), where St Olav's grave had become a place of pilgrimage for both Scandinavia and much of northern Europe. St Olav lost his life in battle not far from Trondheim on the 29th of July 1030 AD.
Sunniva later became the patron saint of Western Norway. The name Sunniva is believed to be a norse variant of the Anglo-Saxon name Sunngifu, meaning "sun gift". Sancta Sunniva's Feast Day is on the 8th of July. The mass held on this day is called "Seljumannamesse" and is still being celebrated on the islands of Selja and Kinn.
