Orthodox Christian Scandinavia: If Plausible, How?

Sweden (and by default Finland) could easily gone orthodox with its close ties to the various Rurikid states and trade routes to Constantineople. It should also be noted that Sweden wasnt fully christian until at least the 12th century.

If Sweden and Finland continued to trade with the Byzantine Empire. Most of the members of the Varangian Guard were Swedes, right?
 

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Sweden (and by default Finland) could easily gone orthodox with its close ties to the various Rurikid states and trade routes to Constantineople. It should also be noted that Sweden wasnt fully christian until at least the 12th century.
Yes, but Sweden had Catholic kings way before the Rurikids conerted to Orthodox. Basically the Western Church was established in Sweden well before the Eastern Church neighbored them. That means Sweden can't become Orthodox unless the Rus convert to Orthodoxy much earlier.
 
Yes, but Sweden had Catholic kings way before the Rurikids conerted to Orthodox. Basically the Western Church was established in Sweden well before the Eastern Church neighbored them. That means Sweden can't become Orthodox unless the Rus convert to Orthodoxy much earlier.

AS for a much earlier Rus' conversion into Christianity, the best time would be at Rurik's period.
 
Yes, but Sweden had Catholic kings way before the Rurikids conerted to Orthodox. Basically the Western Church was established in Sweden well before the Eastern Church neighbored them. That means Sweden can't become Orthodox unless the Rus convert to Orthodoxy much earlier.

Not really, Olof Skötkonung is considered the first Swedish christian king, baptized 1008-1019 various dates have been proposed. BTW both his queen and mistress bot with which had future swedidh kings were slavic and his daughter married Jaroslav of Kiev so if for nothing else trade and political ties would make orthodoxy attractive.
 
Not really, Olof Skötkonung is considered the first Swedish christian king, baptized 1008-1019 various dates have been proposed. BTW both his queen and mistress bot with which had future swedidh kings were slavic and his daughter married Jaroslav of Kiev so if for nothing else trade and political ties would make orthodoxy attractive.

So all Cyril and Methodius have to do is to shift their conversion efforts further north after the Rus' converted in 988. Another thing, what would a combined Norse-Rus' state would be like down the road? Would it incorporate OTL Russia plus Scandinavia or would it simply not expand east?
 
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