The church today

The Finnish Orthodox Church is an autonomous Orthodox church that belongs to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. It has about 60,000 members and is led by Archbishop Leo of Karelia and All Finland.

The church is divided into three dioceses, those of Karelia, Helsinki and Oulu. The Diocese of Karelia is headed by the Archbishop and the other two by metropolitans. The Archbishop is also assisted by a suffragan bishop known as the Bishop of Joensuu. There are 24 Orthodox parishes in Finland, a monastery and a convent. The church observes the New, or Gregorian Calendar.

The highest legislative bodies are the Church Assembly and the Council of Bishops, while the Synod is responsible for the church’s administration and executive functions. The Finnish Orthodox Church is the second national church of Finland alongside the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and its parishes have the right to levy taxes.

Education

The training of priests, cantors and teachers of religion takes place at the University of Joensuu, where the Department of Orthodox Theology within the Faculty of Theology runs degree courses that serve as qualifications for positions in the church. It is also possible to take other degree courses in Orthodox theology at the university.

The Orthodox Church itself has a Seminary at Joensuu which, under the supervision of the Archbishop, provides the liturgical practice and spiritual guidance required by candidates for church positions. The seminary has its own church and accommodation for those intending to enter holy orders.

The Valamo Lay Academy is the only adult education college in Finland that operates in the spirit of Orthodoxy. Its courses are open to all, regardless of religious affiliation. It arranges over a hundred short courses a year on a wide variety of topics, and also a few longer ones lasting several months, e.g. on icon painting.

Many parishes also hold educational courses for their members and others interested, including discussion groups on the Orthodox faith, groups for those wishing to be admitted to the church and many other study groups. Various organizations functioning within the church also have educational programmes of their own.

Classes of religious instruction for Orthodox children are provided in the compulsory junior and secondary schools and in the upper secondary schools. These are arranged by the local education authorities.