VM: Your Norwegian shock is, to me, somewhat baffling. In Norway churches are closing down due to the lack of attendence.
Well, you should know better but I saw what I saw - crowds of people.

Unless you were in Norway on a particular religious holiday (like Easter),
No, no holiday.

where most school children are required to attend church ceremony (we have state religion)
This is truly sad. (IMHO, of course)

you won't see the types of crowds compared to Russia
In Russia you won't see any crowds at all, while in Norway the police even had to seal off a few streets and I saw them make arrests (they're bloody good at using their truncheons, I must say).

or at least of that I have seen of Russia, which is limited, I agree
I don't think you've been to Russia at all, min kjaere ven, but I do think that you like to spin a lot .