Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia visited the cities of Sevettijärvi, Finland and Kirkenes, Norway from Wednesday, August 21st, through Monday, August 26, 2024, to represent Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, as a participant in the 75th anniversary ceremonies for the remembrance of the resettlement of the Skolt Sámi people in the areas of Sevettijärvi, Keväjärvi and Nellim following World War II.
The Skolt Sámi are the sole recognized Orthodox Christian indigenous population in the European Union. They received official recognition under this status by virtue of the Finnish Constitution in 1995.
Metropolitan Cleopas traveled to Helsinki on Wednesday, August 21, and met with His Eminence Archbishop Leo of Helsinki and All Finland the next morning at the airport. Subsequently, the two prelates flew to the city of Ivalo and then drove to the city of Inari, following a luncheon at the Kultahippu Hotel.
Archbishop Leo was accompanied by his Archdeacon Rev. Andreas Salminen and his Theological Secretary Dr. Jelisei Heikkilä.
That evening, the aforementioned dined at the Wilderness Hotel Inari, where they were also joined by the parish priest of the Rovaniemi region Rev. Protopresbyter Fr. Jaakko Vainio, the retired priest Rev. Protopresbyter Fr. Rauno Pietarinen, and the head of the Skolt Sámi people Mr. Veikko Feodoroff.
Archbishop Leo offered Metropolitan Cleopas and Mr. Feodoroff a copy of the commemorative album “A Century of Union,” published by the Holy Archdiocese of Finland for the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the granting of autonomy to the Archdiocese by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which was commemorated from September 8-12, 2023, with the Ecumenical Patriarchate presiding over the ceremonies.
Metropolitan Cleopas thanked Archbishop Leo and offered him a replica of an Athenian tomb effigy from the exhibition gallery of the New Acropolis Museum, along with his recently published study from the Apostoliki Diakonia of the Church of Greece entitled The Missionary Ministry of Archimandrite Eusevios Vittis in Scandinavia 1965-1980.
The next morning, Friday, Augusu 23, the prelates and their entourage visited the Parliament of the Sámi people, where they were received by the Speaker Ms. Pirita Näkkäläjärvi, who offered a luncheon in their honor at the Čaiju restaurant and provided them with a tour of the Parliament. The Sámi Parliament is their supreme political body in Finland and represents them nationally and internationally.
Ms. Näkkäläjärvi informed the visiting hierarchs that the Sámi Community includes a population of approximately 100,000, with 50,000 living in Norway, 30,000 living in Sweden, 12,000 living in Finland, and 2,000 living in Russia.
Metropolitan Cleopas conveyed the heartfelt blessings of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and briefed the Speaker of the Parliament about the “green patriarch’s” international initiatives regarding the protection of the environment.
Afterwards, the visitors were given a tour of the “Sámi Museum and Nature Center SIIDA” by its Curator Ms. Taina Máret Pieski.
They subsequently trveled to the city of Sevettijärvi, where the Akathist Hymn in honor of St. Tychon of Pechenga was celebrated at the local Orthodox Christian church. The service was followed by a show presented by local students in the auditorium of their school.
The service was celebrated by the clergymen from the Holy Archdiocese of Finland Rev. Protopresbyters Frs. Marko Patronen, Jaakko Vainio, Phocas (Tuukka) Rantanen, and Theodore (Heikki) Harvola. It was attended by 100 faithful, who traveled from the Finnish cities of Cuopio and Oulu.
The hymns for all the services that were held were chanted in Finnish, Greek, and Sámi by a ten-member choir led by Presvytera Disa Piispa-Harvola.
That evening, the visitors traveled by car from the city of Sevettijärvi to the city of Kirkenes in Norway, where they spent the night.
The next morning, Saturday, August 24, the aforementioned visited the memorial where they remains of the Orthodox Christian members of the Skolt Sámi Community are housed, while a memorial service was conducted by the Rev. Protopresbyter Fr. Jaakko Vainio and the Rev. Deacon Fr. Artturi Hirvonen.
Aftewards, after the faithful made a procession to the historic St. George Chapel, His Eminence Metropolitan Elias of Oulu conducted the blessing of the waters of the Nhávdánjohka River, aided by the aforementioned clergymen.
A tour of the Ä´vv Skolt Sámi Museum by its Curator Ms. Hanna-Maaria Kiprianoff followed, along with the presentation of a musical program featuring traditional songs in the Sámi language and a luncheon at the Sanila reindeer Ranch restaurant.
That same afternoon, the visiting prelates traveled to the city of Keväjärvi, where Metropolitan Cleopas presided in chorostasia over the service honoring all the saints in Lapland, which was held at the Sts. Boris and Glebs Chapel, assisted by the aforementioned clergymen of the Holy Archdiocese of Finland.
Afterwards, all the participants in this pilgrimage traveled by car to the city of Nellim, where they dined and spent the night, following the celebration of the holy services of Vespers and Matins according to the Slavonic rite at the Church of the Holy Trinity and St. Tryphon, which was presided over by Metropolitan Elias of Oulu, along with Frs. Marko Patronen, Jaakko Vainio, Tuukka Rantanen, Heikki Harvola, and Deacon Artturi Hirvonen.
The next morning, Sunday, August 25, an archieratical Divine Liturgy was concelebrated, with Metropolitan Cleopas presiding, and aided by Metropoltan Elias of Oulu and Bishop Sergei of Hamina, along with the clergymen of the Holy Archdiocese of Finland Frs. Marko Patronen, Sulo Naakka, Olavi Matsi, Jaakko Vainio, Tuukka Rantanen, Heikki Harvola, and Deacons Andreas Salminen, Artturi Hirvonen, and Erkki Lumisalmi. Archbishop Leo was also on hand in the Holy Sanctuary.
Fr. Tuukka Rantanen is the sole clergyman of the Holy Archdiocese of Finland who hails from the local Skolt Sámi Community.
Immediately following the Holy Gospel, Metropolitan Elias of Oulu delivered a sermon, while Archbishop Leo spoke to the large congregation at the end of the Divine Liturgy, emphasizing the ongoing impact of the resettlement of the Skolt Sámi people on their culture and language, and stressing their Community’s connection with nature, as well as their leading role in the preservation of the environment. He also drew a parallel between the harmonious relationship of the Skolt Sámi with nature and the Orthodox Christian teaching regarding the creation of the world.
“Think of the world as a giant cathedral. What is our role in this sacred place? We are servants and intermediaries.
Our responsibility is to sanctify creation and present it as a blessing to God. This act of sacrifice is the focal point of our prayers and liturgical ceremonies. Archbishop Leo emphasized that God blesses creation and returns it to us so that we may also receive blessings in return. He also discussed the Skolt Sámi worldview, which sees man, nature, and language as interconnected. Their language, crafts, and lifestyle reflect a harmonious relationship with nature, showcasing a unique worldview. A luncheon and celebration were held at the Wilderness Nellim hotel, organized by various local groups and government representatives.
During the event, the leader of the Skolt Sámi, Mr. Veikko Feodoroff, and Finnish Government representative Mr. Pekka Pesonen gave greetings, followed by Metropolitan Cleopas addressing the audience. He highlighted the Skolt Sámi’s presence in the Orthodox Church for centuries and praised their resilience, culture, and faith. The commemoration of their resettlement anniversary enriches the Church and spreads the message of Christ to all people, regardless of ethnicity. Metropolitan Cleopas emphasized the apostolic and catholic nature of the Church, welcoming all into the faith community.
He noted the challenges faced by minority groups due to political and social changes, drawing parallels to the hardships endured by the Skolt Sámi and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Despite struggles and forced relocations, faith has granted them strength and endurance. The Skolt Sámi’s faith has enabled them to overcome historical injustices and thrive. The gathering celebrated their resilience and faith, honoring God for His blessings and gifts to each individual. The event served as a reminder of the Spirit’s presence in all people, offering wisdom and diverse talents for the common good. In Galatians 5:22-26, we read about the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Recently, Metropolitan Cleopas expressed joy for the Orthodox Christian Skolt Sámi people, praising the Lord for blessing their resettlement and preserving their customs and traditions. He also conveyed blessings from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and prayed for the Skolt Sami people to continue spreading the Gospel for generations to come. Additionally, Metropolitan Cleopas thanked Archbishop Leo for his support and hospitality during his visit. The article includes photos from the event, capturing the moments shared between Metropolitan Cleopas and the Skolt Sámi people. Please provide a different version.
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