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

Article image: above, icon of Saints Sergei and Herman (Valamo Monastery), below "The Evacuation Journey from Karelia Has Begun" (Finnish Heritage Agency, Finna)

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

On Saturday, October 31, 2026, Valamo Monastery will celebrate a versatile feast day, combining Karelia's spiritual heritage, history, and poignant evacuation stories.

The day is dedicated to commemorating the Karelian Saints and Enlighteners and preserving the memory of the evacuees. The program offers participants an opportunity for contemplation, cultural enrichment, and reflection on history in a unique monastery environment.

Day's Program

9:00 AM Opportunity to participate in the Liturgy, which will be partly served 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 church feast day: Monastery Abbot Archimandrite Mikael

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

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

3:30 PM Evacuated Monks in Heinävesi - Dr. Phil. Elsi Takala

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

5:00 PM Hiitola native Terttu Ketola - stories of experiences during the evacuation and childhood amidst war debris

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 at Restaurant Trapesa

Day's program 25 €/ person, including program and tea table.

Registrations by October 23, 2026:

Valamo Sales Service, salesservice@valamo.fi, tel. 017 570 1810

Also inquire about accommodation.

Welcome!