About us

Orthodox Youth Association of Finland ONL is Finnish organisation doing ecclesial (Orthodox Christian) youth work. ONL helps children and young people grow into active members of the Orthodox Church and society, while also supporting and serving the child and youth work of the Orthodox parishes.

The association's three main areas of activity are:

• Educational activities, camps and events, and national and international cooperation

• Youth participation, opportunities for influence, and equality

• Information, communication, and publishing activities.

The main financiers of this work are the Orthodox Church of Finland and Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.
 

ONL organises f.e. christianity camps, children’s camps, camp counsellor courses and other events. Most of our events will be announced here.

The association also produces regular social media contents, including videos and podcasts. You’ll find our social media links up in the top bar—just click the icons to connect with us!

Also affordable booklets, books and cards are published. Our products can be purchased through our online store. Some of our materials are free and can be downloaded in our material bank (also some in English).

ONL was established in 1943 and currently the association employs two time workers and about 50 short term workers for publishing and events. The association has a board of directors, consisting of a chairperson and six other members.

Address: ONL ry, Kirkkokatu 18, 80100 Joensuu, Finland, Europe
Telephone: + 358 (0)50 465 8173
E-mail: onl (at) ort.fi

Chairperson: Mr. Antti Potkonen, antti.potkonen (a) ort.fi
Executive Director: Mrs. Maria Kauppila, maria.kauppila (at) ort.fi, telephone: +358 (0)50 465 8172

Christianity Camp/ course, kristinoppikoulu

Christianity Camp/course, “kristinoppikoulu” in Finnish, is either a camp or a course offered to the members of the church or those interested in the church. The aim of the christianity camp is to strengthen Orthodox Christian identity and to increase the sense of community.

The most common way to participate the christianity camp (also known as “kripari” in Finnish) is by attending a camp for about a week, organised by a parish or ONL. The camp programme consists of services, lectures, group activities, swimming and sauna, evening entertainment and many other things. At the end of the camp is divine liturgy and after that many families organise a party with godparents, relatives and friends to celebrate the youngster. The Orthodox Christianity course (kristinoppikoulu) curriculum was approved by the Episcopal Council of the Orthodox Church of Finland in 2020.

Through baptism and chrismation every Orthodox Christian has become a fully authorized member of the church. Therefore the divine liturgy celebrated at the end of christianity camp is not an act of confirmation. Usually it is the young people of 14 to 15 years of age who go to Christianity camp. Some parishes organise christianity camps for adults as well. A person who considers joining the Orthodox church may also attend christianity camp.

Principles for a Safer Space

The principles for a safer space in Orthodox Christian child and youth work aim to ensure that participation in activities is as safe as possible for everyone, and to foster an environment where each individual can participate without fear of criticism or judgment.

Holy Noise -Core Curriculum for Early Childhood and Pre-School Education

Pyhä melu (Holy Noise) – Core Curriculum for Early Childhood and Pre-school Education of the Orthodox Church of Finland. Enacted in 2011 by the General Synod of the Orthodox Church of Finland.

According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child which were ratified by Finland in 1991, children are entitled to their own religion. Parishes have the mission to support families in their parenthood. The Government of Finland has in 2002 laid basic guidelines for early childhood education (Vasu). They are also guidelines for childhood education in parishes.

Children are immediately after baptism and chrismation autonomous members of the Orthodox Church, therefore the Orthodox Tradition does not acknowledge “liturgies for children”. Children attend divine services together with the other parishioners.

The aim of Pyhä melu (Holy Noise) is to conform pre-school education, but it is not a finished plan. Each parish has to set up their own curricula taking into account their own resources.

Main Levels of Curriculum for Early Childhood (ages 3-6)

1. Orthodox Culture
   Children learn to make the Sign of the Cross. They identify icons to be holy pictures and are able to name icons of Christ, the Mother of God and also icons of angels. They know that a priest is the father of a parish and the Bible the book of the Church. Children recognize an Orthodox church building to be the church of their own parish. They are able to name an Orthodox church candle and different kinds of the Cross.
2. Divine Services and Festivities
   Children are aware that Orthodox Divine services are also aimed for them. They know how to be able to attend divine services and practice taking part in Holy Communion. They learn the prayer O Heavenly King and the Easter Troparion. At Liturgy they recognize The Lord’s Prayer. They know the meaning of Christmas and are able to perform an Orthodox blessing tradition on Palm Sunday. They are aware that Easter is the greatest Feast of all Christians.
3. Orthodox Identity
   Children learn Orthodox traditional customs, the use of making the Sign of the Cross and kissing icons. They know how to receive blessing from a priest or a bishop. They are aware of each one having one’s own heavenly intercessor and understand the importance of their name day. They are aware that God is the Creator and Jesus the Good Shepard and know how to act respecting Nature. They recognize other cultures. They learn Orthodox Palm Sunday traditions and identify special characteristics of Easter time.

–Sirpa Okulov

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The Lord’s Prayer

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.” 

O Heavenly King

“O Heavenly King, 
the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, 
Who art everywhere and fillest all things; 
Treasury of Blessings, and Giver of Life 
– come and abide in us, 
and cleanse us from every impurity, 
and save our souls, O Good One.”

Easter Troparion

“Christ is risen from the dead,
Trampling down death by death,
And upon those in the tombs
Bestowing life!”