The relations between the Autonomous Orthodox Churches of Finland and of Estonia

In terms of history and membership numbers, the Orthodox Church is the second largest Church among the two kindred peoples – the Finns and the Estonians. Historically, both Churches have much in common; their relations have been close since gaining ecclesial independence (Autonomy-1923).

The majority of the Finnish orthodox are of Carelian origin. Although state borders have shifted back and forth in the course of time, the majority of Carelia remained under the domain of the Novgorod Principality and later under Russia, hence the wide spread of Orthodoxy in these territories. The Valamo and Konevitsa monasteries have served as important religious centres. Later on, some orthodox territories remained within the borders of the Great Finnish Principality and thereafter the Republic of Finland. Many Russian people settled down in towns and soon assimilated with the Swedes and the Finns. But, unlike Estonia, no religious conversion took place among the Finnish Lutheran peasantry. Nevertheless, there is much resemblance between the history of the Carelians and the Setu people.

After the establishment of own statehood in both Countries, both Churches were granted limited self-administration by the Holy Synod of the Church of Russia. However, the Churches applied for canonical Autonomy from the Ecumenical Patriarchate. For that purpose, a joint delegation, made up of the Archbishop of Estonia Alexander and a number of Finnish orthodox figures went to Constantinople. After the granting of Autonomy by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and due to the absence of a local candidate, the Estonian Herman Aav became the Archbishop of Finland and held the office until 1961. Due to the similar history of the two Churches, the Estonian-born Supreme Shepherd of Finland and the overall kindred atmosphere prevailing, the relations between the two Churches were close in those times. Mutual visits were common and cooperation was practised in a number of spheres. Bishops hold regular meetings, attended in the 1930’s also by the Metropolitan Augustins of the Autonomous Church of Latvia.

The common path of the two Churches separated in 1940: the Autonomous Orthodox Church of Estonia (OCE or, in Estonian, EAÕK) was replaced by a Diocese of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Church was repressed and persecuted by the Soviet regime. The Autonomous EAÕK survived in exile. Due to the occupation of Carelia by the Red Army, thousand of Carelians evacuated elsewhere in Finland, mingling soon with local population but retaining their religious peculiarity. There were also attempts to subordinate the Orthodox Church of Finland to Moscow in post-war years, but thanks to resolute resistance by Archbishop Herman and other Church figures, the plan did not work out. In 1958, Moscow Patriarchate recognized the Autonomy of the Orthodox Church of Finland. Orthodox Estonians living in exile, particularly those in Sweden, maintained tight contacts with the Finns and both congregations have shared the same church building in Stockholm for decades.

During perestroika, when religious life enjoyed increasing freedom, the relations between Estonian and Finnish orthodox people revived. First, this happened within the official framework of relations between the Estonian Diocese of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Orthodox Church of Finland. But soon enough the Estonian brothers started looking at their Finnish brothers for example and support to the restoration of own Autonomy. In the course of time, Archbishop Johannes of the Orthodox Church of Finland became the number one mediator and supporter of the restoration of the Autonomy of EAÕK. Before and after the re-establishment of Autonomy by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1996, members of the clergy and congregations visited one another and EAÕK received lots of Church supplies and religious literature from Finland. After the restoration of Autonomy, Archbishop Johannes acted temporarily as Locum tenens Metropolitan of EAÕK and Finnish priest Heikki Huttunen as the Arch-Vicar. In those years, Finnish orthodox people made inestimable material and spiritual contributions to EAÕK and helped to re-establish its organizational structure. However, some members of the Orthodox Church of Finland did not support meddling in the affairs of EAÕK, seeing the maintenance of good relations with Russian-Carelia as more important. The relations of Finnish Orthodox Church inevitably cooled down with Russian Church after Archbishop Johannes started taking care of the Estonian orthodox.

In 1999, the Auxiliary Bishop of Nazianzus Stephanos was appointed the Metropolitan of the Autonomous Orthodox Church of Estonia (EAÕK). Since then, the building up of EAÕK has continued mostly by own means and the share of external help has diminished. However, connections with the Finnish orthodox are continuing to play an important part in the foreign relations of the Church. Personal contacts are numerous and some congregations of EAÕK have twin congregations in Finland. Our northern neighbours established the Estonian Orthodox Friendship Association (VYS – Viron Ortodoksisen Kirkon Ystävyysseura) in 1996, mediating aid and visits and introducing what’s new at EAÕK. For many years, VYS has organized seminars about the life and activities of the Estonian martyr-bishop Platon († 1919). The association also holds Estonian language religious services in Helsinki.

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