History

 

The History of the Finnish Orthodox Mission

In the 1950's the interest towards missionary work awoke among the members of the Orthodox Church of Finland. The Orthodox Mission, the missionary organization of the Orthodox Church of Finland, was founded in 1977.

The first long-term mission workers, teachers Siina Taulamo and Maria Iltola (now igumenia Marina) were sent to Kenya to assist the local Orthodox church in 1977. Their first assignments were to teach and to start the church's work among children, youngsters and women. Organizing diaconal work was also one of their tasks. The missionaries lived in a house called 'Bethany' in the village of Muguga, which became a central place for The Finnish Orthodox Mission.

In Kenya there were only a few proper church buildings in the 70's. Parishes held their services in school classrooms or sometimes outside, under a big acacia-tree. Therefore, church building has been an essential part of the Orthodox Mission's work in Kenya since its first years.

One of the main objectives has been to improve the living conditions and quality of life of the Kenyan people. The organization has carried out a great number of development co-operation projects. The most significant ones have been to build schools, health clinics and wells. The first school was built in 1979 in the village of Gimengwa in western Kenya.

The first missionaries started daily services, matins and vespers in Muguga. At first they were held in English, but gradually the lithurgical texts were translated into local tribal dialects. The missionaries had a central part in raising up the local orthodox congregations into the church's liturgical life.

The organization has supported the Orthodox Patriarchal Ecclesiastic School in Nairobi in many ways. Several missionaries from the Finnish Orthodox Mission have been working as teachers in the school. Aid has also been directed through the organization to educate children, youngsters and women.

Providing health care services in remote regions has also been a part of the organization's work in Kenya. Since the end of the 1990's, the main focus has been raising awareness on HIV- and aids. Members of the Kenyan Orthodox Church have been trained via various projects to educate their own communities on HIV and aids issues.

The Orthodox Mission's work is made possible by the donations and voluntary work of Finnish Orthodox. Funds have been raised mainly by organizing collection campaigns and through donations. The different parishes’ own spiritual and monetary support has also played a significant part.

During the last few years, 'School Fee Funds' and 'Mission Teams' have had a significant role in the Orthodox Mission's work. The Orthodox Mission's main aim is to assist the churches and parishes by supporting and developing local know-how and talents.

 

 

(OM 20.5.2009)