Nature retreat 5/2026

29.05.2026 00:00 - 31.05.2026 00:00

Registration ends: 15.05.2026 00:00 - If registration has already closed, please inquire about course places by calling 017 570 1810.

myyntipalvelu@valamo.fi, p. 017 5701 810

, 300€/Student hotel 1 room, incl. accommodation, tuition, meals

Course description

We live in a time where the pursuit of accomplishment and results is constantly accelerating and leads us to a daily rush. There is no time left for just being, which is considered a waste of time. But being is much more than inaction. It is a state of silence, where you encounter your own thoughts and feelings, and provide a breeding ground for your own inner creativity. In silence, by sensitizing your own senses and inner world, you can find a new kind of connection with yourself and the world. Listen to the sounds of nature, observe your surroundings and give your mind permission to rest in the peace of the Valamo Monastery. A walk in the cemetery or a hike to the traveler's cross offer an invitation to stop and encounter the silence within yourself. Spring Valamo invites you to this path of silence, which will guide you towards a deeper connection with yourself! Valamo's nature is special. The retreat is directed by TT Juha Riikonen.

Course program

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.