THE MONASTERY OF NEW VALAMO - Valamon Luostari

Image: (C) 2009 Photojournz/ JK


Image: (C) 2009 Photojournz/ JK

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.

http://www.valamo.fi/en/index.php