What would visual arts or church music be without the Virgin Mary? The Theotokos has been the inspiration for countless icons, paintings, and compositions from one century to the next. The seminar will present art and music related to the Virgin Mary, and discuss her position in the traditions of different denominations. The seminar's experts are Metropolitan Arseni of Kuopio and Karelia, Pastor Emeritus Risto Pottonen from Vantaa parish – author of the book Lutheran Virgin Mary, Professor Elina Vuola – and respected music journalist, Master of Music Risto Nordell. With this seminar, we want to celebrate the institute's 40-year journey as part of the church's and liberal adult education's broad field of activity, ecumenical cooperation, open learning for all, and the encounter of culture and people. The language of instruction is Finnish.
Friday, November 20th
Arrival, buffet dinner at 15:00
15:45 Course opening
16:00 The Mother of God in the iconography of the Eastern Church, His Eminence Arseni, Metropolitan of Kuopio and Karelia
17:00 The Virgin Mary in Music I, music editor, Master of Music Risto Nordell
18:00 Vigil in the main church
19:30–20:30 Evening meal
20:30–21:30 Presentation of the Church of the Transfiguration of Christ, wonder-working icons, questions about monastic asceticism, Metropolitan Arseni
Saturday, November 21st, The Presentation of the Theotokos
07:30 Breakfast
09:00 Third Hour and Liturgy in the main church
11:00 Lunch
12:00 Prayer service to the Theotokos in the main church
12:45–14:15 What was Luther's Virgin Mary really like?
What was the Holy Virgin's position in Wittenberg and with Mikael Agricola? And how has the Holy Mother been lost in the Lutheran tradition?
How can the Mother of the Church unite us? Examples of Lutheran Marian devotion, pastor of Vantaa parish, emeritus Risto Pottonen
Coffee break (self-paid)
15:00–16:00 The Virgin Mary in Latin America, Professor Elina Vuola
16:00–17:00 The Virgin Mary in Music II, music editor, Master of Music Risto Nordell
17:00–18:00 The Virgin Mary and Women, Professor Elina Vuola
18:00–20:00 Vigil
19:30-20:30 Evening meal
Sunday, November 22nd
07:30 Breakfast
9:00–11:00 Third Hour and Liturgy
11:00–12:00 Lunch, room checkout by 12:00
12:00–13:00 The Virgin Mary in Visual Arts, Metropolitan Arseni
13:00–14:00 Panel discussion; The Virgin Mary as a unifying and dividing factor for denominations, Metropolitan Arseni, Risto Pottonen, Elina Vuola, Risto Nordell
Room checkout by 12:00.
