Churches

The church is the centre of the life in a monastery

The monastery has nowadays three churches and three chapels. The guests are welcome to visit all of them.

The church buildings and their interior complement the teaching of the church in many ways: in fact, all the details you see inside a church building are meant to support the recited and sung prayer.

Most of the icons and church items in the churches of the monastery come from the original location of the monastery on the Valamo (Valaam) island in Lake Ladoga. In addition to the churches, it is also possible to see church items - for example church textiles, like vestments - in the exhibitions of the monastery.

Main church - Transfiguration of Christ

The main church has been dedicated to the Transfiguration of Christ. Its annual feast is celebrated festively every year on August 6th.

Old church - All Saints of Valamo

All daily divine services of the monastery took place in the old church since it was built in 1940 until 1977. Nowadays the church is used only in the summer.

Winter church - Saints Serge and Herman of Valamo

The winter church is located in the same building as the main church. It is dedicated to the memory of the founders of the monastery Saints Serge and Herman of Valamo.

Church building

An Orthodox church building always stands in the east-west direction, the altar being in the east end of the building.

Chapels

The chapels are different from churches in that they are smaller and often do not have any iconostasis (icon wall). In Carelia it used to be common to have a chapel in every village to read lay services from the book of the hours.

Icons

The icons depict Christ, Mother of God Mary, saints, angels or church feasts.

Refectory (trapesa) of the brotherhood

The brotherhood eats their meals in their own refectory (trapesa).

"We here at the New Valamo Monastery wish everyone, regardless of their beliefs, a warm welcome to visit our monastery and join in our church services."

With warmest regards,
Brotherhood of Valamo

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We send newsletters approximately six times a year.

Contacts

Valamo Monastery
Valamontie 42
79850 Uusi-Valamo
Phone +35817 570 111

Valamo Lay Academy
Valamontie 42
79850 Uusi-Valamo
Phone +358 17 5701401

See all contacts

How to find us

The opening hours

OPENING HOURS here

Accomodation

Reservations and further information

+358 17 570 1810
myyntipalvelu@valamo.fi

Other connections

Suomen ortodoksinen kirkko
Lintulan luostari