Course for Altar Servers 9/2026

Welcome to delve into the duties of an altar server (ponomar) and the liturgical life of the church! Orthodox service is a harmonious whole where everyone has their own important place. On this course, we will learn how to perform assisting duties in church services. Male participants will practice in Valamo Church, and female participants in Lintula Convent Church. The language of instruction is Finnish. There is a limited number of places, participants will be selected based on applications. The application form is here.

If you cannot access the application form information, responses can be sent by email to opisto(at)valamo.fi  The application form questions are:

1. Contact information

2. Tell us why the course interests you?

3. Who is your recommender for the course?

Friday 18.9.

16.00 Course opening. Discovering and going through objectives. Agreeing on shifts.

17.00 The altar, its artifacts and the ponomar's portion in their cleanliness.

18.00 Ninth Hour, Vespers and Small Compline. Trikanon.

19.30 Evening snack.

Saturday 19.9.

06.00 Midnight Service and Matins. Liturgy.

07.30- Breakfast.

09.00 Ponomar's general duties in services.

10.30 Practical exercises.

12.00 Moleben.

12.30 Lunch.

13.00 Ponomar in Vigil and Liturgy: theory and exercises.

15.00 Break, coffee self-paid.

16.00 Practical exercises.

18.00 Vigil.

19.30 Evening snack.

Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross 20.9.

06.45 Departure of female participants to Lintula.

09.00 Third Hour. Liturgy. (08.00 in Lintula)

(7.30- Breakfast.)

11.30 Lunch and concluding discussion in Trapesa.