Joy of Friendship Day at Valamo Monastery on Saturday 14.2.2026
Valamo Monastery invites you to celebrate Joy of Friendship Day. The day is open to those arriving with friends and those coming alone, who long for connection, meaningful encounters, and peaceful togetherness.
The monastery's prayerful atmosphere offers a space for contemplation, listening, and presence. During the day, literature, theology, and icon art open up as perspectives on love and friendship, which sustain us through different stages of life.
Loneliness is a real experience for many. This day gently reminds us that no one needs to walk alone. Let us meet each other with respect and open minds.
Program:
12.00 Moleben, opportunity to participate in a prayer service in the monastery's main church
A brief prayer for friends and loved ones. Light a candle before the miracle-working icons.
12.30 Opening words of the day – Librarian of Valamo Monastery Virva Suvitie
After the opening
Guest writer Ann-Christin Antell
The theme of friendship and love in her popular novels
Ann-Christin Antell's new historical trilogy tells of Amos and Matilda Adelin's talented daughters. The first part of the series, Valkea lilja (2025), takes readers to Naantali and Firenze in the early 1910s.
Antell became a reader favorite with her Puuvillatehdas series. The series has already sold over 200,000 copies and been translated into several languages. The series includes the published works Puuvillatehtaan varjossa (2021), Puuvillatehtaan perijä (2022) and Puuvillatehtaan kilpailija (2023). The series culminates in the collection of stories Puuvillatehtaan joulutarinat (2024), which contains three independent Christmas stories: Joulu Örndahlin ruukissa, Loviisan joulu and Joulu Falken linnassa.
14.00 Lunch (self-funded), Restaurant Trapesa
15.00 Theology of Friendship and Love -
"Agape: God's love and its reflection in human relationships" - Archimandrite Mikael, Head of the Monastery
15.45 ”Your name shall be my beloved” - love and friendship in icon art - icon conservator and Icon painting teacher Antti Narmala
16.30 Valamo Tea Table, Restaurant Trapesa's red hall
Enjoying the atmosphere with a cup of tea and Valamo delicacies
The tea table includes: tea and raspberry jam, pickled cucumbers with sour cream and honey, salmon pie, cabbage pie, pound cake, biscuits, sweets, and fruits.
18.00 Opportunity to participate in the vigil service in the monastery's main church
The event will be held at Valamo Cultural Center
Representatives of the Heinävesi branch of the Finnish Red Cross (SPR) will also be present to talk about SPR's friendship activities.
Day program: 25 €/ person includes the program and tea table
Registration by 8.2.2026: salesservice@valamo.fi or 017 570 1810
Warmly welcome!
Accommodation offer for Joy of Friendship Day participants from 13.-15.2.2026
Monastery Hotel 2 for the price of 1, 72.50 €/room/ night
Institute Hotel 2 for the price of 1, 62.50 €/room/ night
Monastery Hotel single room for a special price of 80 €/ night
Prices include monastery breakfasts
For those arriving with a pet, pet rooms are available in limited numbers at the Monastery Hotel. Pet supplement 20 €.
Additional elements during the day:
In the Tuohus shop, Valentine's Day offers, and in Restaurant Trapesa, lovingly baked pastries
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Books from Valamo Library extensively displayed in the Cultural Center Hall, related to the day's theme
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Friendship Path: A self-guided walking tour in the monastery area, where you can pause to reflect on the meaning of friendship and love. Each stop has a short reflection or prayer. Maps for the path are available from the Cultural Center Hall.
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Message and photo challenge:
Send a letter, card or message to a friend or someone lonely from Valamo Monastery
Take a picture with a friend in Valamo's beautiful surroundings
