Parish Activists' Experience Exchange Days 10/2026

Experience Exchange Days serve as a platform for parishioners of the Finnish Orthodox Church to meet. The program includes communication, exchange of opinions, and experience in volunteer work in parishes. Both experienced parish volunteers and beginners are invited — for example, new Ukrainian parishioners and other immigrants who wish to get more 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 provided on its cost.

The course is conducted in Russian.

Available room type will be confirmed upon registration.

Friday 2.10.

3:00 PM Arrival and check-in. Lunch.

4:00 PM Opening of the Experience Exchange Days. Introduction.

5:00 PM Introduction to Valamo Monastery

6:00 PM Ninth Hour. Vespers. Small Compline.

7:30 PM Evening tea

8:00 PM Continuation of acquaintance and conversation (until 9:00 PM).

Saturday 3.10. 

6:00 AM Midnight Office, Matins and Liturgy

(7:30 AM - Breakfast) 

9:00 AM A few words about Lintula Monastery

9:40 AM Departure to Lintula Monastery. Introduction to the monastery. Conversation with the abbess of the monastery, Hegumenia Ksenia.

12:00 PM Moleben 

12:30 PM Lunch

1:30 PM Administrative structure of the Finnish Orthodox Church (Deacon Anatoly Lappalainen). Discussion.

2:00 PM Parish membership. Parish life. Examples of volunteer activities in parishes (Deacon Anatoly Lappalainen)

3:00 PM Integration of immigrants from Ukraine into the Finnish Orthodox Church

(Oksana Gorbanova, Filantropia ry)

4:00 PM Options for fundraising for specific events (Deacon Anatoly Lappalainen)

5:00 PM Day tea (at own expense) 

6:00 PM All-Night Vigil

8:00 PM Evening tea

Sunday 4.10.

9:00 AM Third Hour and Liturgy

(07:30 AM - Breakfast) 

11:00 AM Lunch

12:15 PM Concluding discussion.

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