Gold and brocade, icons and imperial objects. Some aspects of the history of the collections and museum practices in the Finnish Orthodox Church

Abstract

Orthodox religion and culture has a rich material heritage, which is indeed most visible in its icons, sacred vessels and church textiles. Globally Orthodoxy has spread among different cultures and taken in some local characteristics in addition to its basicforms. Orthodoxy came to Finland from Russia and is therefore strongly influenced by Russian Orthodox culture and history. The Finnish Orthodox Church was in fact part ofthe Russian Orthodox Church until the early 1920s. The Orthodox Church museum, situated in Kuopio, was founded in 1957. Nevertheless, museum practice in the Finnish Orthodox Church started earlier. During the period when Finland was a Grand Duchy ofRussia, a predecessor of the Orthodox Church museum, the Valamo collection of ancient objects, was founded.