Rovaniemi Parish

Easter – the most important celebration of Christianity Rovaniemi Parish magazine April 2025 English summary. In 325, the Council of Nicaea decided that Easter would be celebrated on the Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox. The vernal equinox means that day and night are of equal length. Spring begins after the vernal equinox, when the day is longer than the night. In Finland, the vernal equinox is on March 20 or 21. The date of Easter is based on the Gregorian calendar, which is used in many countries. Easter falls on a different date each year. Therefore, it is a good idea to check the calendar to see when Easter is celebrated: this year Palm Sunday is on April 13 and Easter Monday is on April 20. At Easter, Christians celebrate Jesus, who conquered death. Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. People also celebrate the end of winter and the awakening of nature at Easter and in spring. Easter traditions in Finland include eggs, green grass, mämmi – Finn...

  The priest of the Lutheran parish of Rovaniemi, Aki Hätinen: In August 2022 I visited in the city of Bursa, Turkey. During The Ottoman Empire, it used to be its capital. One hour distance from this beautiful city locates a small city called Iznik. I paid a visit there also during my trip. The town is at the site of the ancient Greek city of Nicaea. This year Nicaea plays a great role in Christian world. The year 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the Roman Ecumenical Christian council of Nicaea, convened by Emperor Constantine I in 325. Constantine I (also known as Constantine the Great) was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. He played a pivotal role in elevating the status of Christianity in Rome, decriminalizing Christian practice and ceasing Christian persecution. This was a turning point the Christianization of the Roman Empire. Constantine is sometimes associated with the religiopolitical ideology, which epitomizes the unity of church and state. He founded...

Text: Noora Hietanen, pics: Marjo Romakkaniemi, Eva Kivinen and FinAid ry. 88 children and pre-teens and 12 adult Ukrainians arrived as our Christmas guests.  - The adults are the teachers of the children and young people, the principal of the Nikopol school was also with them. Together with many other partners, we welcomed them to Christmas in Rovaniemi and introduced various attractions, chaplain Topi Litendahl commented. The Ukrainians stayed at Syväsenvaara school. The Rovaniemi parish’s Aapakirkko near there, offered mee-ting spaces and places for breakfast and evening snacks. At Norvajärvi center Ukrainiains fried sausages and met reindeers. The highlights, according to the children, were the sauna, snow, and ice fishing. Everyone participated in the Rovaniemi Church Christmas mass and Ukrainian children joined the Christmas tableau. Children wished and prayed for Christmas:  - ”To be outdoors with others, possibility to go to school again, fathers homecoming from frontl...

Cantor, Tarja Alakörkkö-Perkkiö What is your favourite Christmas carol? I remember from my childhood how the Greatest Christmas carols were sung in my home village. lt was a festive atmosphere. Our district pastor Reijo and Mauri cantor arrived at my home school, the air smelled of gingerbread and the singing rang. Since then, the words of several Christmas carols that are still popular have been memorized in my mind. Singing together promotes well-being. According to research, singing together relieves the symptoms of memory loss, treats mental health, lowers blood pressure. ln addition, it is a community experience when we gather to sing together. The national "Greatest Christmas Carols" campaign has already been organized more than 50 times. At events, you can give the children of the world a gift that matters. Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (Felm) offers education, health care and security to the most disadvantaged children in developing countries. ln particular, th...

Advent and Christmas Time in Rovaniemi - Welcome to the church and parish events! Rovaniemi Parish magazine December 2024 English summary. The nativity scene  Is in manger at Lordi’s Square (Maakuntakatu 29-31) and you can also watch it on the webcam: bit.ly/3QCSQRO Rovaniemi church  is open daily from 2nd December 2024 until 6th January 2025 @9:00-21:00. Until 2nd December church is open Mon-Fri @11:00-14:00 when priest is also available. Services start Wednesdays @18:00 and Sundays @10:00. 

The priest of the Lutheran parish of Rovaniemi, Aki Hätinen: Baptism is a gift we receive at the beginning of our lives and lasts throughout our lives. It is the most wonderful event that can take place in the human life cycle. According to Martin Luther (1483 - 1546), in baptism God gives man the gift of faith, which does not depend on our understanding, because faith is God's work in us. This certainly begs the question of how a hair wash can bring this about. It is not only the water itself that does the work, but the Word of God with the water and the faith that God has given in His Word. Without the word of God, water is not baptism, but just water. In the story of the Flood, water is the tomb that covered the sins of mankind. In the beginning of Genesis, water is the prerequisite for all life and growth. In baptism, water has both of these functions. What happened to Christ, applies to us who are baptized into his fellowship. And on the other hand, what we are or do as baptis...