Valamo Lay Academy

Valamo Lay Academy– at the crossroads of encounter, contemplation, and insight

Valamo Lay Academy is an open-to-all Orthodox folk high school that organizes short courses at Valamo Monastery

Valamo Lay Academy was founded in 1986. Education and learning naturally belong to the monastic environment. A school also operated in Old Valamo before moving to Heinävesi.

At the Academy´s short courses, you learn about Orthodox faith and way of life, and various knowledge and skills related to culture and handicrafts also become familiar.

Icon painting is an important part of the Academy´s course activities. We are the only educational institution in Finland where icon painting can be studied purposefully and deeply, and progress in studies from beginner to master level.

Valamo Monastery is a unique learning environment for our course participants. In Valamo, in addition to learning, you can get acquainted with the monastery's daily life and ecclesiastical life or even wander in the surrounding nature!

The activities of Valamo Lay Academy are open to everyone, regardless of age, gender, place of residence, cultural background, or conviction.

Discover our course offerings

You can also enroll in courses by phone 017 570 1810 or by email at salesservice@valamo.fi

Smartum and Epassi mobile application are accepted as payment methods for handicraft courses.

Valamo Lay Academy is an Orthodox folk high school that organizes short courses at Valamo Monastery

Upcoming courses

Icon Painting Advanced Course: Face Highlighting 9/2026

During the course, we will delve into four different highlighting techniques through theory and step-by-step...

14.9.- 21.9.2026

Secrets of the Cemetery 9/2026

The course is implemented by Annina Holmberg, Olli Löytty, Irina Ritvanen, and Mitja Ritvanen, the authors of...

18.9.- 20.9.2026

Icon Painting Advanced Course: Jerusalem Mother of God 9/2026

THE COURSE IS CURRENTLY FULL. WE ARE ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR WAITLIST POSITIONS. The course is suitable...

18.9.- 27.9.2026

Course for Altar Servers 9/2026

On this course, we learn how to serve in assisting roles during church services. Male participants will...

18.9.- 20.9.2026

Photography Retreat 9/2026

In the photography retreat, we will calm down and seek inspiration for creative photography. A simple pinhole...

25.9.- 27.9.2026

At This Age - In This Moment 9/2026

Adaptability, Opportunities, and a Meaningful Life for those +50 years old. Life changes – and we with it....

25.9.- 27.9.2026

Advanced Silk and Gold Embroidery Course 9/2026

This course is aimed at those who have previously practiced embroidery. You can also join the course with an...

28.9.- 4.10.2026

Whirring of the Spinning Wheel and Peace - Spinning Retreat 9/2026

On the course, spinning wheels will whir and spindles will turn – the most important thing is to share time...

28.9.- 1.10.2026

Parish Activists' Experience Exchange Days 10/2026

This weekend is intended for meeting those who already actively participate in the life of our parishes or are...

2.10.- 4.10.2026

Introduction to Orthodoxy for Youth 10/2026

Welcome to a course where the Orthodox faith opens up as a living and holistic path towards God. The course is...

2.10.- 4.10.2026

Me in Relation to Us 10/2026

Who am I among others? How does my way of being affect the atmosphere that is created? How and what kind of...

8.10.- 11.10.2026

Ready to Start - Writing Course 10/2026

This course focuses on how to kickstart writing, in how many ways your story could begin, and what means exist...

9.10.- 11.10.2026

Basics of Icon Painting 10/2026

THE COURSE IS FULL, WE ARE ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR WAITLISTS. The course is intended for individuals who...

9.10.- 18.10.2026

Course on Introduction to Orthodoxy 10/2026

The course covers the foundations of Orthodox ethics.

9.10.- 11.10.2026

Basic Bookbinding Course 10/2026

In this course, notebooks are made with different binding styles, and students learn to hand-bind personalized...

12.10.- 16.10.2026

Leadership Retreat 10/2026

Leadership is a constantly evolving encounter. When the framework of working life changes daily, ready-made...

14.10.- 16.10.2026

Knitting Retreat 10/2026

THE COURSE IS CURRENTLY FULL, WE ARE ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR WAITLISTS Welcome to the knitting retreat,...

16.10.- 18.10.2026

Becoming Orthodox? 10/2026

Welcome to a journey of discovering Orthodoxy and building your own spiritual path. This course is designed...

16.10.- 18.10.2026

Icon Painting Advanced Course: Open Subject 10/2026

The course is best suited for those who master the basics of icon painting and tempera technique. The subject...

20.10.- 26.10.2026

Substitute Cantor Training: Evening Service, Morning Service and Vigil 10/2026

This course is part of a series of substitute cantor courses; it is not possible to register for individual...

22.10.- 25.10.2026

From Shame to Connection – How to Build an Authentic and Respectful Relationship with Oneself and Others 10/2026

In this course, everyone is the best expert on their own life and may share their experiences only to the...

30.10.- 1.11.2026

Icon Clinic 11/2026

Whatever the reason for the interruption and the subject of the icon, come to Valamo to peacefully finish your...

2.11.- 8.11.2026

Christmas Gifts from Precious Metals 11/2026

Welcome to create unique Christmas gifts under the guidance of silversmith Jaana Oljakka!

5.11.- 9.11.2026

Faith in Everyday Life 11/2026

How do we preserve our faith in the challenging everyday situations of daily life? The challenge of everyday...

6.11.- 8.11.2026

Valamo Monastery Men's Choir School 11/2026

You can participate in one weekend or deepen your learning with multiple courses. Applications for the course...

6.11.- 8.11.2026

Orthodox Church Education Days 11/2026

The Church Education Days offer information, community, and new insights to all who work in or are interested...

9.11.- 11.11.2026

Icon Painting Advanced Course: Saint Anne the Third 11/2026

The course is intended for students who have a good grasp of the basics of icon painting and are capable of...

10.11.- 19.11.2026

Orthodoxy Made Easy in Plain Language 11/2026

On this course, you will learn what the Orthodox Church and Orthodox faith mean. The course is also suitable...

13.11.- 15.11.2026

The Familiar and Unknown Virgin Mary 11/2026

What would visual arts or church music be without the Virgin Mary? The Theotokos has been the inspiration for...

20.11.- 22.11.2026

Beginner's Choral Conducting - Advanced Course 11/2026

The Beginner's Choral Conducting - Advanced Course is aimed at those who have received instruction in basic...

20.11.- 22.11.2026

Icon Painting Advanced Course: Mother of God Hodegetria 11/2026

The version to be painted on the course is optional. Alongside practical painting work and instruction, we...

20.11.- 28.11.2026

The Living Flame of the Soul 11/2026

"O living flame of love, that tenderly woundest my soul in its deepest centre!" – Saint John of the Cross...

26.11.- 29.11.2026

The Silence Retreat 12/2026

The Silence Retreat offers peace and quiet, a place where you can turn your gaze inward and consciously seek...

2.12.- 6.12.2026

Lettering Course for Icon Painters 12/2026

This course is suitable for those just starting icon painting, as well as those who have been painting for a...

2.12.- 6.12.2026

Icon Painting Intensive Course 12/2026

On this intensive course, you will have a concise short period to peacefully concentrate on icon painting,...

2.12.- 6.12.2026

Tape Lace Technique Advanced Course 12/2026

This course is intended for those who have mastered the basics of bobbin lace but want to deepen and expand...

7.12.- 10.12.2026

Introduction to Orthodoxy Course 12/2026

On the course, we will learn about the rules of the Orthodox Church, i.e., canons. Additionally, the teachings...

11.12.- 13.12.2026

My Spiritual Journey 12/2026

The course offers an opportunity to pause on one's own spiritual journey to reflect on where one is right now....

11.12.- 13.12.2026

Introduction to Orthodoxy 12/2026

Whether you are interested in Orthodoxy or already an experienced follower of the faith, this course offers...

11.12.- 13.12.2026

Fur Quilt Course 6/2027

In this course, you can make yourself warm fur quilts from sheepskins. We sew the quilts traditionally by hand...

1.6.- 6.6.2027

Fur Quilt Course 8/2027

In this course, you can make yourself warm fur quilts from sheepskins. We sew the quilts traditionally by hand...

17.8.- 22.8.2027