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Easter is the center of the church year and the most important celebration

Easter will be presented and described in the parish magazine this year based on short questions and answers. What is the meaning of Easter? Easter is the most important holiday of Christianity, which is celebrated for many days. At Easter, Christians celebrate Jesus who conquered death. Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. What happened at Easter? Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. The women who came to Jesus’ tomb noticed that the tomb was empty. Jesus atoned for people’s sins with his death, defeated death and ascended to heaven. This is how salvation came to all Christians. What does Good Friday mean? Good Friday is a Christian holiday, during which we remember and mourn the death of Jesus. On Good Friday 2,000 years ago, religious and political leaders arrested Jesus because he was said to be the son of God and king of the Jews. Word Good means here also God and holy. What is celebrated on Maundy Thursday? Maundy Thursday is celebrated to commemorate th
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Shrovetide and Candlemass

If it snows on Shrove Sunday and the sun still shines on the same day, the following summer will be a good berry year. Photo: Rovaniemi parish archive. The sacrificial road of God’s love The name for Shrove Sunday and the period before Lent in Finnish is “laskiainen” which comes from the word “laskeutua”, “to descend”, referring to the descent into Lent. Soon begins the time for simple living and self-denial. The Latin name for this Sunday is esto mihi (=be my) which comes from the old antiphon of the day (Psalm 31:3). Shrovetide contains a lot of traditions such as sledding in Finland. In many southern countries there are carnivals before the start of Lent. The word “carnival” comes from the Latin “carnis levare” and means “to remove meat”. The period of Lent begins after Shrove Tuesday on Ash Wednesday. The name for this day comes from Biblical descriptions of repentance and betterment: dressing in sackcloth and spreading ash on one’s head. In mass on Ash Wednesday, the priest may ma
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4th Christmas day, Innocent Children's Day

Kati Jansa, chaplain An old Finnish legend tells about Mary, Joseph and a newborn child who have to flee from soldiers. The background of the legend is the story of the holy family's escape to Egypt in the Gospel of Matthew, when King Herod threatened to kill all the little boys (Matthew 2:13-21). The holy family's escape from Bethlehem to a safe place took place on rocky mountain roads, and in the middle of green olive groves, but the old Finnish storytellers had not seen this landscape and could not imagine it. That's why they told the story in the landscape that they themselves knew well. So Mary, Joseph and the newborn Jesus had to flee. In the middle of the dark, wintery forest they were afraid of their pursuers. The journey had already been very long, and the soldiers' voices were getting closer behind them all the time. Mary and Joseph carried Jesus, their breath was hazy in the cold and they were tired. Then the baby Jesus burst into speech and said: "Let&#
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Advent and Christmas Time in Rovaniemi - Welcome to the church and parish events!

The nativity scene is at Lordi’s Square (Maakuntakatu 29-31) and you can also watch it on the webcam: bit.ly/3QCSQRO The Rovaniemi church is open daily from November 29, 2023 to January 7, 2024 from 9:00 to 21:00. Welcome! A guide is present every day and priests are on call from Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 14:00 as well as during church services: Wednesdays from 18:00 and Sundays from 10:00.  If it’s cold outside please come into church and buy hot cup of coffee - only 2€ (for supporting parish missionary work). The International Greatest Christmas Carols event will be held on December 22 at 20:00 in the church. You can also follow along at the Rovaniemi parish in social media! Wed 6.12. @10:00 Finland’s Independence Day Service (also online: bit.ly/3MYtUDc) & 16:00 Independence Day Concert in church (also online: bit.ly/3MYtUDc) Greatest Christmas Carols will also be sung at University of University of Lapland Restaurant Petronella Fri 1th December 18:00, Applied Sciences Cafe
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Family, Michaelmas and All Saints’ Day

Family is at the center of God’s plan for the happiness and progress of His children. The Holy Bible teaches that God established families from the very beginning, and it shows us many examples of strong families. It also teaches us how to have a loving, happy family. And Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. To say that we are a church family implies the significant spiritual bond between believers, and the way we walk with one another through life, encouraging, supporting, and loving each other. Communion of Saints - All Saints’ Day (festum omnium sanctorum) is celebrated on 1st November and All Souls’ Day (commemoratio omnium fidelium defenctorum) is celebrated this year on 4th November. This means that we remember all Christian martyrs as well as others who have died with faith in Christ. During these days, we remember holy people, but the word ‘holy’ does not only refer to the dead.
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Evangelist Missionary Mission

The fundamental mission of the church is to preach the gospel and serve others. The church is missionary which means it reaches out: the message of God’s love is spread out through words and deeds. The basis for this is Jesus’ Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20). God’s love leads Christians to declare the gospel, serve others, and pray together with other churches and Christian communities. Christians are one, because they have been joined through baptism to Christ, his church, and each other. The church is one and it is global, though it looks different in different places around the world. The faith in the Trinity – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – joins Christians all around the world. The church and its members have been invited to c
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Climate change is caused by increasing greenhouse gases

  Finnish Meteorological Institute researcher Kaisa Lakkala The increase of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere is an indisputable scientifically proven fact. Human activity has increased levels of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. This has strengthened the greenhouse effect and warmed our planet. The average global temperate has risen 1.1 degrees compared to pre-industrial times. Human activity is almost the only cause of this. According to estimates, a 1.5 degree global temperature rise will be reached in the early 2030’s. After the mid 1990’s, changes have been noted in all parts of the Earth’s climate system: on land, at sea and in the atmosphere. Changes are evident for instance in temperatures, amount of rain, ice and snow coverage, sea levels, ocean acidification and extreme weather conditions. The atmosphere and oceans have become warmer, snow and ice has reduced and sea levels have risen. Dangerous and hazardous weather conditions have become more freq
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