The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland said on Thursday that the patriarch had been sent an invitation by the Evangelical Lutheran, Orthodox, and Catholic churches of Finland.
The patriarch is expected to meet with the heads of the Finnish churches. “Current issues will be addressed,” a press release said.
The last time a patriarch of Moscow and All Russia visited Finland was in 1994.
“I am very glad that His Holiness will visit Finland after a long period of waiting. Being on the border of the West and the East, we have always maintained close and constructive relations with the Russian Orthodox Church,” the head of the Orthodox Church of Finland, Archbishop Leo, said.
Representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and the Russian Orthodox Church will meet in Turku the week following the patriarch’s visit to discuss dogmatic issues.
— Source: Interfax