This year marks the 75th anniversary of the resettlement of the Skolt Saami people to the areas of Sevettijärvi, Keväjärvi, and Nellim following World War II. For the first time, a commemorative event is being held in Nellim to celebrate this significant milestone in Skolt Saami history. The Skolt Saami holds a unique position as the only recognized Orthodox indigenous people in the European Union. The status of indigenous people was confirmed in the Finnish Constitution in 1995.
The three-day celebration, organized in conjunction with the pilgrimage event of St. Tryphon of Pechenga, began on Friday, August 23, with a church service in Sevettijärvi, followed by a village celebration at the Sevettijärvi school. The event continued on Saturday with a trisagion service at the reburied Skolt Saami graves in Neiden and the sanctification of the waters at Kolttaköngäs, Norway.
The main celebration took place on Sunday, August 25, at the Wilderness Hotel Nellim. The day began with a divine liturgy in the festival tent, celebrated by Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia, representing Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Metropolitan Elia of Oulu, and Bishop Sergei of Hamina in the presence of Archbishop Leo at the service. The liturgy was followed by lunch and the main ceremony featuring music, performances, and a market.
Archbishop Leo delivered a poignant address at the celebration, emphasizing the enduring impact of the resettlement on Skolt Saami culture and language. He highlighted the Skolt Saami’s deep connection to nature and their role as pioneers in environmental protection:
“The Skolt Saami, like many other indigenous peoples, have been pioneers of environmental protection long before the concept came into our consciousness, let alone became fashionable. For centuries, they have cherished their environment, not just for themselves, but for all future generations. Their wisdom springs from a deep connection with nature, and they recognize the threat of climate change more keenly than the rest of us.
Now the eternal rhythm of nature falters again in new ways, as our northern polar region, the most sensitive skin of our Mother Earth, is feverish in the grip of climate change. This fever of our planet is not just statistics and numbers – it has already left its mark on Saami communities, whose rich culture and livelihoods have been shaped to suit Arctic conditions. That is why it is crucial that our country’s decision-makers protect the living environments of the Saami. These areas are not just landscapes; they are part of our planet’s lungs, the cradle of carbon sinks and fortresses of pure nature.”
The Archbishop drew parallels between the Skolt Saami’s harmonious relationship with nature and Orthodox Christian teachings on stewardship of creation:
“Imagine the world as a vast cosmic cathedral. What is our role in this sacred space? We are its servants, mediators, offerers. Our task is to sanctify creation, to offer it back to God for blessing. This is the ultimate purpose of sacrifice, the core of all our prayers and liturgical actions. God blesses creation and returns it to us, and thus we too are blessed.”
He further emphasized the unique worldview of the Skolt Saami:
“Among us still live masters of this harmony. In the thinking of the Skolt Saami, man, nature and language are not separated from each other. Their language is like poetry that paints a nuanced picture of the wonders of nature. Their handicrafts, in turn, tell a story of the symbiosis between man and nature, while they have changed their places of residence according to the seasons, following the movements of fish and reindeer. All this has not been just an economic relationship but an entire worldview.”
The Archbishop concluded by calling for prayers for the northern Orthodox people, “so that their unique culture and language may remain vibrant from generation to generation.”
Metropolitan Cleopas addressed the gathering at a ceremony after the liturgy, attended by government representatives, the Skolt Saami Trustee Veikko Feodoroff and Pirita Näkkäläjärvi, President of the Saami Parliament. The Saami Parliament is the supreme political body of the Saami in Finland representing the Saami in national and international connections.
Metropolitan Cleopas emphasized the significance of the Skolt Saami within the Orthodox Christian faith. He stated, “the presence of the Skolt Sami people in our Church, with whom we have shared the same baptismal font for over 400 years, is truly a remarkable occasion.” He emphasized how their faith has blessed them with the strength to “bear the crosses that this ephemeral life has in store for each of us, as we strive and struggle to attain the laurel crown that Christ awaits to bestow upon us.”
The Metropolitan also addressed the challenges faced by small, vulnerable communities like the Skolt Sami. He noted that “ethnic, political, social, and climatic changes that occur on the international, national, and regional level, often impact the smallest and most vulnerable, in a disproportionate manner.” He expressed concern over the innocent bearing the burden of decisions made by leaders and rulers, sometimes resulting in forced relocation, uprooting, and even acts of violence aimed at erasing the historical presence of certain groups.
In the end, he expressed gratitude for the Skolt Saami’s contribution to the diversity of the Orthodox faith, stating, “I share in the joy of our Orthodox Christian brethren who are natives of the Skolt Saami people, as we join in prayer, to give thanks to the Lord for blessing their resettlement and enabling them to retain their unique customs, heritage, and traditions, which have become organically grafted into our common liturgical life.”
The event was jointly organized by the Orthodox Parish of Lapland, the Skolt Saami Siida Administration, which is the traditional and immemorial self-government regime of the Skolt Saami people, the Skolt Saami Culture Foundation, the Äʹvv Skolt Saami Museum, and local sponsors. This celebration not only commemorated a historical event but also served as a testament to the enduring spirit and rich cultural heritage of the Skolt Saami people, who continue to play a vital role in both preserving their indigenous traditions and enriching the tapestry of Orthodox Christianity in Europe.
