Russian Orthodox
Church
Moscow Patriarchate
St. Nicholas Orthodox Parish, Helsinki
Russian Orthodox
Church
Moscow Patriarchate
St. Nicholas Orthodox Parish, Helsinki
St. Nicholas Orthodox parish was founded in 1927. The parish was registered by the Finish Ministry of education as a religious organisation. Its activity regulated by the Religious freedom act like all other religious organisations in Finland.
According to the Religious freedom act people who would like to be affiliated with the parish encouraged to be officially entered in the parish registry. Those individuals should fill a form available at the Parish office. A completed form will be sent out to one of the Local Register Offices (Maistraatti) according to the place of residence. Registration is very important for Finnish religious organisations because local and head authorities treat communities according to these data, for example determine amount and character of support if needed. Every Finish resident who has been baptised in the Orthodox Church or joined it through repentance or sacrament of Chrismation might became affiliated with our community. The parish is supported by voluntary membership fees and donations.
Curently there are about 1300 parishioners registered and 70% of them are Finnish citizens.
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church was erected in 1938. It was designed by architect A. Kudrjavtsev and financed through parishioners’ donations. It is located at: Tuonelankuja 3 (Hietakannaksentie 1), Helsinki.
Until recently, there was no orthodox church in the eastern part of Helsinki. Considerable numbers of Russian decent and Russian-speaking people are living in that region. Therefore St. Xenia of St. Petersburg, fool for the Christ, chapel was founded in Mellunmäki as a part of St. Nicholas Orthodox Parish. The chapel is located at: Aarteenetsijäntie 2, Mellunmäki, Helsinki.
Celebration of all Christian feasts in St. Nicholas church and St. Xenia chapel are performed according to Old (Julian) calendar, which reflects the ancient orthodox tradition maintained by the Russian Orthodox Church.
Divine services are conducted in Church Slavonic, sermons are in Russian and Services of the Needs (upon request) are in Church Slavonic or Finnish languages.
All-Night Vigil is performed in St. Nicholas church every Saturday and on the eve of the Great feasts at 6 p.m. Holy Liturgy is celebrated every Sunday at 9.40 a.m. and on the day of the Great feasts in the morning. Timetable of the services is available from the candle desk at the church and on the notice board at the church's entrance.
Confessions are heard in St. Nicholas church during All-Night Vigils and exceptionally for seniors, sick people and travellers before Liturgy. Those who about to confess for the first time or did not confess for a long period of time should book a suitable time for the confession with one of the priests.
Every Wednesday at 6 p.m. acathistus is read in St. Nicholas church followed by a conversation concerning foundations of the Orthodox Christianity for adults.
During Great Lent period sacrament of Extreme Unction (oil anointing) is offered to sick people.
Patron saint's day (feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker's Relics Transfer from Myra in Lycia to Bari) is celebrated on 9/22 May.
A variety of the church-related items and spiritual literature in Russian is available at the candle desk in St. Nicholas church.
Holy Liturgy is celebrated in St. Xenia chapel every second Sunday at 8.00 a.m. Acathistus and thanksgiving service (moleben) is alternated on Monday at 6.00 p.m.
Please feel free to contact Parish's priests concerning all church related and spiritual matters:
The parish office is located in the basement of St. Nicholas church at Tuonelankuja 3, 00100 Helsinki, Tel.: +358 (0) 9 491829, Fax: +358 (0) 42 0581272.
