Welcome to Our Parish

The Orthodox Church of Finland is an autonomous church within the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Orthodox Parish of Joensuu is an administrative unit within the Archdiocese of Kuopio and Karelia in the Church of Finland. The Orthodox Church of Finland is then only canonical Ortohodox structure in the territory of Finland: all Orthodox Christians in Finland belong to the pastoral responsiblity of the Church, and locally, to our parish.

Saint Nicholaos Church of Joensuu

The main church of our parish, The Church of St. Nicholas, is located in the centre of Joensuu. The church was consecrated in 1887. The parish house and office are right across the street.

Worship and participation

St. Nicholas Church in Joensuu is open every Saturday during the Vigil (at 5 p.m.) and every Sunday during the Divine Liturgy (at 10 a.m.). The church is also open on traditional feasts and other services. Regular services are also held in other local churches and chapels according to their own schedule.

The divine services are open to all. According to the tradition, only members of the Orthodox Church can receive the Eucharist if they have properly prepared to it. Visitors may light a candle and honour holy icons and the cross by kissing them.

The Orthodox Church recognise seven holy sacraments: Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist, Confession, Anointing the Sick (Unction), Marriage, and Holy Orders (Ordination). Other services are, e.g., Blessing of Home, Thanksgiving Service, Funeral Service, and Memorial Service (Panikhida).

Other activities

Services and activities are held together by our clergy, other professional staff and volunteers.

For newcomers:

• Course for Catechumens: for those who want to become members of the Orthodox Church (see also other activities below)

For children, families, and youths: 

• Children and families: clubs for varying age groups, children’s camps, child-friendly liturgies, Music club for children
• Youths: Christianity camps (age 15), weekend camps, short courses
• Young adults: meetings

Support and help (diaconia):

• Joensuu: Bread distribution, Grief support group, Day club for seniors, Sun club for disabled people, Friend activities, Coffee meetings (after liturgies and feasts)
• Visits on request: hospitals and nursing homes, reception centres, and prisons

Multicultural meetings:

• Joensuu: worship services in Church Slavic or multilingual
• Sacraments and other holy services on request: in English, Ukrainian and/or Russian /Church Slavic

Church music:

•  Joensuu: Saint Nicholas’ Choir, Orthodox Male Choir, Piligrim Choir (Church Slavic)
• Kitee: Saint Nectarios’ Choir
• Eno-Kontiolahti Choir
• Joensuu and Ilomantsi: Church singing group (open for all)
• Ilomantsi: Prophet Elia’s Choir

Icon painting:

• Youths and adults: groups on different days

Various clubs:

• Joensuu: Book reading club, Mission club, Monday club (handicrafts), Miikkula starosta’s (for men)
• Tuesday clubs: Kiihtelys, Hoilola-Saaroinen, Kitee, Ilomantsi
• Lieksa: Ilja’s knitters

See further activities of Ilomantsi Chapel Church (FI).