The first thing that catches your eye in Finland is the many churches. Even a small village has its own temple. What is the religion of Finland? This will tell our article. If you are planning to move there, you are probably worried about the question: how will the new neighbors react to your religious practice? We hasten to reassure you. Finns are generally very tolerant and tolerant. Zealous fanatics can not be called.
Statistics give disappointing data. Year by year, atheists are getting bigger. And those who, when questioned, call themselves believers, come to the temple only on major holidays - about three times a year. Nevertheless, some Christian denominations are not separated from the state and exist from budgetary funds. What kind of churches are these? Learn from this article.
Finnish traditional beliefs
Ancient cults are beautifully described in the national epic Kalevala. Like other peoples of Northern Europe, the Finns remained pagans for a long time. The harsh climate contributed to the fact that people who did not know the origin of various natural phenomena began to deify the elements. Indeed, for a long time, the survival of an entire tribe depended on the migration of reindeers and the catch of fish.
The first religion of Finland assumed the origin of the world from the egg of a mythical bird. It fell into the water and the earth formed. The axis of the world stretches between the center of the egg and the North Star. When the sky rotates along it, a Kinammi whirlpool forms, which means “navel of the sea”. Through this tunnel, the souls of the dead, as the ancient Finns believed, were transported to the underworld of Tuonelu. Life there was like earthly life. And therefore, the deceased was put in the grave tools, belongings and jewelry.
Gods
Like all paganism, the ancient religion of Finland assumed polytheism. The gods controlled the elements - thunder, storms, winds. He dominated the Finnish pantheon Ukko. He was considered the ruler of heaven and thunder. It is noteworthy that the ancient Finns believed in the trinity of the soul. Its elements were independent of each other. “Henki” was life. She entered the body before the birth of the baby, with the first push in the bosom of her mother. And left the man’s henks with one last breath.
“Luonto” is a person’s genius, his talent, talents. And, finally, its means self-consciousness of a person. The last two elements could leave the human body, and he did not die at the same time. But their prolonged absence affected well-being. Without luonto, a person became addicted to addictions, became limp, and without it suffered depressions. The magicians who performed magic rituals could help return these two elements. The same shamans were the "guides" between the worlds of the living and deceased ancestors.
Evangelization of Finland
By about 1000, three nationalities had formed in the territory of the region:
- Suomi (or the Finns themselves). They inhabited the southwest of the country.
- Tavasty. These people donkey in the central and eastern parts of the region.
- Karelians. Ethnicity spread in the southeast up to Lake Ladoga.
But all three nationalities remained pagan. Their main gods were the same, but local spirits were also revered. Christianity came to Finland with the Swedish conquerors. In 1155, King Eric the Ninth invaded the region to prevent the expansion of these lands of Veliky Novgorod. At that time, the first Christian cathedral was built in Nousiainen and a bishopric was established. But as the new religion was propagated by force, the first primate of the church, Henry Uppsala, was killed by the indigenous population. But the evangelization of the region continued, and from two sides. In the west, the Swedes introduced the Roman branch of Christianity, and the Karelians adopted the Greek faith, Orthodoxy.
Lutheranism
Until the Reformation, Catholicism in Finland was the only dominant religion. According to the German custom “Which prince is such faith”, the Swedish king Gustav in 1536 ordered all his subjects to go over to Lutheranism. Catholics who revered the Pope as their pontiff were considered traitors to the motherland. And the Swedish king himself headed the Lutheran church . According to the requirements of the new religion, the Holy Scriptures were translated into folk languages, including Finnish. The people of Suomi owe this to Mikael Agricole (mid-16th century). At the same time, the eastern part of Finland is actively influenced by Orthodoxy. Among the Karelians such holy ascetics, such as Sergius of Valaam, Tryphon of Pecheneg and Theodorite of Kola, preach.
Lutheranism: the difference from Orthodoxy
Both of these religions are Christian, believe in one God and worship Jesus as the Messiah and the Holy Spirit as the one giving grace. However, Lutheranism puts Scripture at the forefront - the Bible, the Gospel, etc. In Orthodoxy, church tradition is honored first of all. The Catholic and Orthodox churches attach great importance to the cult of saints, icons, and holy places.
The branch of Protestantism, Lutheranism, in contrast to Orthodoxy, believes that Christ is the only mediator and intercessor of people before God. Religious paintings are not shrines, but illustrations to the text of the scriptures. Neither prayer for saints, nor worship of relics and bones makes sense. The memorial services also give nothing to the dead - after all, it is impossible to force God to change the decision on their afterlife by lighting candles and chants. Nevertheless, Lutheranism and Orthodoxy have common points. Both religions honor the sacrament of baptism and communion.
Tolerance
Until the end of the 19th century, Finnish citizens were allowed to belong only to Lutheranism. But since the eastern part of the region was under the great cultural influence of Russia, Karelians and settled Jewish merchants were allowed to profess Greek Judaism and Christianity. In 1889, a law was passed under which citizens could adopt other Protestant forms of Christianity. They could become Adventists, Pentecostals, Calvinists, Baptists, Methodists, etc. And only in 1923 was it allowed to freely practice any cults, as well as live outside any religion.
Islam appeared in the eastern part of the country during the Russian conquest along with the Muslim military who settled in Karelia. Now this religious community is growing rapidly in number due to emigrants from the East. But Finland is famous for its religious tolerance. Islam, Judaism and Christianity of different branches (Catholicism, Orthodoxy and Protestantism) coexist peacefully.
State church
Nevertheless, Lutheranism remains the dominant religion of Finland. This church is financed from the state budget, and all citizens, regardless of their religion, are charged a tax on its maintenance. At the same time, Lutheranism professes less than 80 percent of the country's population. The second largest parishioner is the Finnish Archbishopric of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. This orthodox church also receives funds from the state budget. There are other communities in the country, including the Russian Orthodox Church. But they exist through self-financing. Catholics, Muslims, Jews, as well as other branches of Protestantism do without state subsidies.