By Father Rauno Pietarinen
The Finnish Orthodox Clergy Association, an organization for priests’ collaboration and continuous education, celebrated its 100th anniversary in Joensuu during the feast of Saint John the Theologian. Representing the Patriarch of Constantinople were Metropolitan Dimitrios of France and His Grace Bishop Damaskinos of Haapsalu (Estonia). During the festive days, presentations were made on the history of the Clergy Association, the closure of the former Minor Seminary in 1988, the continuation of education at the University of Joensuu, efforts related to employee well-being, and the future prospects of the Church.
The festive liturgy was jointly celebrated by Archbishop Elia of Helsinki and all Finland, Metropolitan Dimitrios of France, Bishop Damaskinos of Haapsalu, Metropolitan Arseni of Kuopio and Karelia, and Bishop Sergei of Hamina. Also serving were Orthodox seminary Rector Fr. Mikko Sidoroff, the Chairman of the Clergy Association Fr. Jaakko Vainio, Fr. Georgios Vasilakis (France), Fr. Sergiy Berezhnoy of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Church (OCU), and Fr. Vladimiras Seliavko from the Lithuanian Exarchate. A mixed choir of theology students, led by church music student Anni Alanko sang during the Liturgy. Also present during the three-day celebrations was Archimandrite John from the Orthodox Church of Kenya.
The Orthodox Clergy Association celebrated its annual anniversary in Joensuu during the anniversary of the Orthodox Seminary’s Church of St. John the Theologian. The Orthodox Seminary is a Church institution that provides liturgical, homiletic, and pastoral training for university students of Orthodox theology. In 2026 the celebration will take place in Vilnius as an gesture of support to the Lithuanian Excharcate.
In his speech, Archbishop Elia of Helsinki referred to thoughts from 100 years ago when young Orthodox priests founded the Association:
“It is particularly moving how they understood the core of their mission: ‘We must comprehend our important tasks, discuss the means by which we can most effectively proclaim the truths of God in the language of our time, and carry it to the people in the vessels created by each era.’ This encapsulates the core of theological hermeneutics: the truth is eternal, but the ways of expressing it change.”
In his greeting, Metropolitan Dimitrios of France beautifully stated: “Since then (1923), Finnish priests have worked dedicatedly, often in small parishes that are scattered over long distances, serving in communities where Orthodox Christians are in the minority. However, their service has borne fruit. Today, the Finnish Orthodox Church is a respected and vibrant part of Finnish society, offering a unique testimony of liturgy, iconography, and spirituality to the wider world.”
In his speech, the chairman of the Priests’ Association, Father Jaakko Vainio, highlighted the the key focus areas of the association’s activities past years and today: An active effort to improve the culture of discussion within the Church of Finland, Strengthening and maintaining continuous dialogue and connection with Mother Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Maintaining contact with the Apostolic Orthodox Church of Estonia, Building ties with the Exarchate of Lithuania under the Ecumenical Patriarchate and supporting this young Church living in challenging circumstances. And also seeking to develop ties with the clergy of the Autocephalous Church of Ukraine.
In several addresses, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was thanked for sending representatives to the celebration. Patriarch’s teachings were referenced multiple times in several speeches, and he was especially remembered on the same evening when he received the prestigious Templeton Prize in New York.
Especially the spirit of Youthfulness that the Ecumenical Patriarch mentioned in the celebration in the Celebration in the Celebration of the 100th year Anniversary of the Orthodox Church of Finland was mentioned at least in four speeches. The Chairman said: ”Although over the years the name has changed to The Orthodox Priests Association, in its identity the Association has remained youthful even at the age of one hundred. It has not been content merely to preserve tradition but has always looked forward with hope and openness – just as it does at this very event. The Priests Association has, throughout its history, cherished the spirit of youth emphasized by our Patriarch, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, during the celebration of our Church’s autonomy centenary (2023).”
