A Decline in the Membership of the Finnish Orthodox Church 

Cathedral of Dormition of Theotokos (Uspenski Cathedral) in Helsinki. Pic- Wiki

OCP News Service – 10/1/2021

Helsinki-Finland: A report published by the Finnish Orthodox Church States that there has been a steady decline in its membership. The membership has reduced by a  total of 588 faithful.

According to the report, at the end of 2020, the Church had a total of 58,311 members. More than half of them (29,935) belong to the Diocese of Helsinki and slightly more than a third (19,126) to the Diocese of Kuopio and Karelia. About 15 per cent of the church members (9,025) belong to the Diocese of Oulu. The membership also includes the sisterhood of Lintula Monastery (8), the Brotherhood of Valamo Monastery (8) and the 209 absent members (registered in the Central Archives).

COVID Pandemic has adversely affected the Church. The in-person catechism teaching was suspended in March 2020, which is one of the reasons for the decline. However, e-learning has steadily increased. The difference between the number of baptism and death has also affected the statistics. In 2020, around 686 members of the Church reposed, whereas 245 received baptism.

The Finnish Church Membership Statistics – 2020.pdf

Source:
OCP News Service