Feast Day of the Karelian Saints and Enlighteners and Day of Evacuee Stories Sat 31.10.2026

Article photo: above, icon of Saints Sergius and Herman (Valamo Monastery), below "Evacuation journey from Karelia has begun" (Finnish Heritage Agency, Finna)

Feast Day of the Karelian Saints and Enlighteners and Day of Evacuee Stories in Valamo Sat 31.10.2026

On Saturday 31.10.2026, Valamo Monastery will host a diverse feast day, combining Karelia's spiritual heritage, history, and touching evacuee stories.

The day is dedicated to commemorating the Karelian saints and enlighteners and cherishing the memory of the evacuees. The program offers participants an opportunity for contemplation, culture, and pausing at history in a unique monastic environment.

Day's program

9:00 AM Opportunity to participate in the liturgy, which will be served partly in Karelian.

11:00 AM Lunch, 16 € (self-funded)

12:00 PM Opportunity to participate in a prayer service for the Karelian saints and enlighteners.

12:30 PM Opening of the day and theme of the ecclesiastical feast day: Abbot Archimandrite Mikael

1:00 PM Juuli of Old Valamo - musical monologue, Jonna Ortju

2:00 PM Valamo Tea Table and opportunity to shop in the stores

3:30 PM Evacuated Monks in Heinävesi - Ph.D. Elsi Takala

4:30 PM The Icy Evacuation of Valamo Monks - documentary film

6:00 PM Opportunity to participate in the vigil

Divine Services in the monastery's main church, program in the Cultural Center Hall, lunch and tea table available in Restaurant Trapesa

Day's program 25 €/ person

Registrations by 23.10.2026:

Valamo sales service, salesservice@valamo.fi, tel. 017 570 1810

Also ask about accommodation.

WELCOME!