On Thursday morning, September 12, 2013, His All-Holiness visited the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos (Uspenski Cathedral), the largest Orthodox Church in northern Europe, and presided over the ecclesiastical celebrations for the completion of 90 years since the proclamation of the Church of Finland as Autonomous by the Mother Church of Constantinople.

During the festive Divine Liturgy, which was held with grandeur in accordance with the typikon of the local Church on the feast of the Taking of Leave of the Birth of the Theotokos, concelebrants of His All-Holiness were His Eminence Archbishop Leo of Karelia and All Finland, Their Eminences Metropolitans Stephanos of Tallinn and All Estonia, Geron Athanasios of Chalcedon, Methodios of Boston and Ambrosius of Helsinki, as well as Their Graces Bishops Elias of Tartu, Alexander of Parnu, and Arsenios of Joensuu. During the Divine Liturgy, students from the Theological Seminary of Joensuu assisted inside the altar and the Finnish Orthodox Cathedral Choir and the Finnish Orthodox Chamber Choir chanted, while in attendance were Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of Greece and Cyprus to Finland, numerous faithful from various regions throughout the country and Orthodox students of diverse ethnic background from public schools in Helsinki. Also present were representatives of the capital City Council, the esteemed Mufti of Helsinki, Mr. Ramil Beliaiev, and the President of the Council of Jewish Communities in Finland, the Hon. Gideon Bolotowsky.

After the Gospel reading, the Patriarch addressed the congregation in English, extensively commenting on the meaning of the festive celebration for the Orthodox Church of Finland and the significance of its ecclesiastical dependence as an Autonomous Church on the Ecumenical Patriarchate, emphasizing among other things that the bestowal of the status of Autonomy exactly 90 years ago was the result of maternal care on the part of the Mother Church of Constantinople to Churches in difficult circumstances.

Before the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His All-Holiness was addressed by His Eminence Archbishop Leo and the Hon. Lasse Saarinen, President of the Church Council of the Cathedral, while commemorative gifts were exchanged between the Patriarch and the Archbishop.

Afterward, the Patriarch visited the elderly housing called “The Home of St. Stephen,” where he was received by the Chairman of the institution’s Executive Board, Rev. John Härkin, and other board members. Following a brief service at the home’s chapel dedicated to St. Stephen, the Patriarch blessed the meal organized in his honor at the facilities of the institution, during which a traditional musical ceremony was performed.

In the afternoon, His All-Holiness went by car to Tikkurila, where a brief service was held at the Church of the Ascension, after which he addressed the large crowd, referring among other things to the fortunate coincidence of the Feast of St. Autonomus on the very same day. At the invitation of the Patriarch, His Eminence Geron Metropolitan Athanasios of Chalcedon spoke to the faithful of the Swedish-speaking parish. Before departing, the Patriarch planted a small tree in the outdoor courtyard of the church as a symbol of peace and reconciliation among all people of different ethnic identity and cultural background in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of autonomy.

Later, the Patriarch travelled from Tikkurila to Mellunmäki, where he paid his respects and was warmly received in traditional fashion at the Chapel of St. Alexander of Syväri located in the commercial district, which beyond the migrant faithful, mostly from Russia, also serves the religious needs of the Ethiopian community. After a brief service, the Patriarch addressed the congregation and praised the broad ecumenical horizons of the local Orthodox church, which derive from the catholicity of the Church, inasmuch as it serves as a point of practical reconciliation with members of other Christian communities, such as the aforementioned community of the Erythrean Church, by contributing to the service of their needs and their incorporation into the local community. At the invitation of His All-Holiness, His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios also addressed the assembled faithful.

In the evening, the Patriarch once again visited the Cathedral Church of the Dormition (Uspenski) in order to attend a festive concert on the occasion of the anniversary with musical compositions performed by the Cathedral Choir, the Finnish Chamber Choir, the Byzantine Choir, as well as the Children’s and Youth Choirs of the Metropolis of Helsinki. The concert was also attended by representatives of the political, military and civil authorities, Ambassadors, the heads of the Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches, the Hon. Atik Ali, President of the Islamic Community of Tatars residing in Finland, the Hon. Anas Hajjar, President of the Islamic Council of Finland, and numerous friends of the arts, who filled the Cathedral.

Prior to the conclusion of the concert, there were addresses by His Eminence Archbishop Leo of Karelia and All Finland and His All-Holiness. The Archbishop underlined that the relationship between the Mother Church of Constantinople and its daughter Church of Finland is founded on two principles, which allow the local Church to function in an organic way within the Holy Catholic Church of Christ as a result of its ontological bond with the Ecumenical Throne, while the same is also able to care and work dynamically for the sake of the Mother Church of Constantinople whenever the latter encounters difficulties or tensions in its ecumenical witness to the world.

In his formal address, His All-Holiness referred among other things to the historical and canonical privileges of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and, after congratulating the Church of Finland on its festive anniversary, prayed for its spiritual progress and development in every way so that it may offer a clear and constant Orthodox witness.

After the concert, a formal banquet was organized by His Eminence Archbishop Leo in honor of the Patriarch in the Spiritual and Cultural Center of the Metropolis of Helsinki, called “Sophia.” The banquet was attended by representatives of the Christian Churches and monotheistic (Abrahamic) faith communities, Ambassadors and select dignitaries, among whom also the Finnish General and Chief of Defense, Mr. Ari Puheloinen.

In response to the toast of His Eminence Archbishop Leo, the Patriarch spoke of the dynamism of the parishes that he had visited, their youth, their ethnic diversity, and the excellent relations between the Autonomous Church and the Finnish state and society. He also praised its friendship and cooperation with other Christian confessions in Finland, as well as the favorable quality of relations with Islam and Judaism, in accordance with the model of its Mother Church of Constantinople.

This ended the second day of the Patriarchal visit to Finland, a day filled with experiences and pleasant events, especially worship ceremonies.