Meeting of the New Orthodox 5/2026

Meeting of the New Orthodox 5/2026

22.05.2026 00:00 - 24.05.2026 00:00

Registration ends: 08.05.2026 00:00 - If registration has already closed, please inquire about course places by calling 017 570 1810.

myyntipalvelu@valamo.fi, p. 017 5701 810

, 150€/Student hotel 1 room, incl. accommodation, tuition, meals, 130€/College hotel 2 rooms/person, incl. accommodation, tuition, meals

Course description
Course program

Course description

This weekend pilgrimage is designed especially for new church members. The weekend offers an opportunity to get to know other recent church members, experience the peace of the monastery and deepen your own relationship with the church. The course is interactive and conversational. The topics will be led by TT Juha Riikonen. The course is supported by the Orthodox Church of Finland.

Special price 150 €/OH1 and 130 €/person. /OH2 incl. tuition, accommodation and meals according to the program. No other discounts.

Course program

Friday 22.5.

Arriving at the monastery

14.00 Lunch at the Trapesa restaurant

15.00 Course start and introduction. What is it like to be in the parish?

16.00 Tour of the monastery grounds and churches. Juha Riikonen.

18.00 IX moment. Evening service. Small evening service and three canons.

19.30 Evening meal.

20.00 The Finnish Orthodox Church at the moment. Challenges for working in the parish. Discussion. Father Risto and JR.

Saturday 23.5.

06.00 Midnight service. Parastasis morning service. Liturgy.

07.30 Breakfast

09.00 God is a friend. The secret of the living mystery. Father Risto.

11.00 Monk's question hour. What does it mean to be in a monastery? Father Joona.

12.00 Prayer service.

12.30 Lunch

13.30 Sokpan coffee on the ship's shore.

15.00 Break

15.30 Opportunity for spiritual discussion. Father Risto. Or exploring the monastery museum. JR.

18.00 Vigil.

19.30 Evening meal

Sunday 24.5. Pentecost - Holy Trinity Day.

07.30 Breakfast

09.00 III moment and liturgy.

11.30 Final lunch together.

13.00 Great evening service, with Pentecost kneeling prayers.

Room handover by 12.00

Rights to changes reserved

Teacher

Riikonen Juha

I am a full-time teacher at Valamo College, TT Juha Riikonen. I teach theological subjects. My courses of responsibility are related to the Orthodox lifestyle, such as “Get to know Orthodoxy” and “Do I feel like an Orthodox?” I also teach retreat courses. My special expertise is related to church history. In my second profession, I am a historian. My doctoral dissertation dealt with the canonical, or church administrative, dispute between the Finnish Orthodox Archbishopric and the Moscow Patriarchate in the years 1945–1957. The topic is very topical again, as the political situation in Europe has become tense due to the war in Ukraine. My hometown of Ilomantsi and Karelianism are an important part of my identity.

Teacher

Käyhkö Risto

Father Risto Käyhkö is a theologian, teacher, and philosophy-trained facilitator of constructive interaction. He is particularly interested in the apostle Paul's idea that one cannot dominate another person, but one can help him to His joy.

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Meeting of the New Orthodox 5/2026

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