Parish Activists' Experience Exchange Days 10/2026

The Experience Exchange Days serve as a meeting platform for parishioners of the Finnish Orthodox Church. The program includes interaction, exchange of opinions, and experiences of volunteer work in parishes. Both experienced parish volunteers and newcomers are invited—for example, new Ukrainian parishioners and other immigrants who wish to get better acquainted with parish life.

The course leader is Deacon Anatoly Lappalainen. The course is supported by the Finnish Orthodox Church, and no additional discounts are offered on its price.

The course is conducted in Russian.

The available room type will be confirmed upon registration.

Friday 2.10.

15.00 Arrival and check-in. Lunch.

16.00 Opening of the Experience Exchange Days. Introductions.

17.00 Getting acquainted with Valamo Monastery

18.00 Ninth Hour. Vespers. Small Compline.

19.30 Evening tea

20.00 Continued introductions and discussion (until 21.00).

Saturday 3.10. 

06.00 Nocturnes, Matins, and Liturgy

(7.30 - Breakfast) 

09.00 A few words about Lintula Convent

09.40 Departure to Lintula Convent. Getting acquainted with the convent. Discussion with the Abbess of the convent, Mother Xenia.

12.00 Moleben (Prayer Service) 

12.30 Lunch

13.30 Administrative structure of the Finnish Orthodox Church (Deacon Anatoly Lappalainen). Discussion.

14.00 Parish membership. Parish life. Examples of volunteer activities in parishes (Deacon Anatoly Lappalainen)

15.00 Integration of immigrants from Ukraine into the Finnish Orthodox Church

(Oksana Khorbanova, Filantropia ry)

16.00 Options for fundraising for specific events (Deacon Anatoly Lappalainen)

17.00 Afternoon tea (at own expense) 

18.00 All-Night Vigil

20.00 Evening tea

Sunday 4.10.

09.00 Third Hour and Liturgy

(07.30 - Breakfast) 

11.00 Lunch

12.15 Concluding discussion.

Check-out on departure day by 12:00 PM.