History

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland belongs to the western branch of Christianity. Here are some key dates in our history:

c. 1000–1200 Christian burial customs are adopted in Finland
1155 Bishop Henry arrives
1300 The Turku Cathedral is consecrated
1488 The Missale Aboense is published
1507–1557 The life of Mikael Agricola, the Finnish reformer
1548 The New Testament is translated into Finnish
1642 The complete Finnish Bible is now translated
1809 Finland becomes part of the Russian Empire
1817 The Bishop of Turku is made Archbishop
1869 The new church law is passed
1917 Finland gains its independence
1923 The Freedom of Religion Act is passed
1988 The first women are ordained as pastors
1996 The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland signs the Porvoo Agreement