THE MONASTERY OF NEW VALAMO
The Orthodox Monastery of New Valamo in Heinävesi has developed into a significant centre of Orthodox culture in Finland in recent decades. The monks live the communal spiritual life of a monastery based on the ascetic tradition of the Orthodox Church, which includes the principle that the monastery should earn its own living. Its principal source of livelihood nowadays is tourism: it welcomes more than 160,000 visitors a year and all the profits from this go directly to the upkeep and development of the monastery. It is open all the year round, and visitors are welcome to call in at any time or stay for a longer period.
Although it is primarily the home of the monks who live and work there, the monastery offers all manner of opportunities for its visitors. Many people come there to find peace and quiet and to take part in its daily services, while equally many people like to spend time out of doors or in the company of their family or friends. It is also nowadays a popular place for holding celebrations, conferences or meetings.
All visitors are warmly welcome to the monastery and its church services regardless of their own religious persuasion.
With warmest regards,
Archimandrite Sergei,
Head of the monastery
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