January 3-10
Apply Now!
Fill out this application to be considered for the 2026 Telos Center Finland Pilgrimage!
Applications are due October 15th!
About
In early January 2026, 6-10 members of the Telos Center community will travel to Finland to experience the unique Orthodox culture in this beautiful northern country. We will spend some time in Helsinki visiting various notable Orthodox churches and visiting with members of the Finnish Orthodox community and travel to Valaam Monastery for the Feast of Theophany! The Telos Center will offer partial funding for those who are accepted to join the trip. The trip will feature an itinerary each day for major events but is leaving space for adventure and spontaneity for the rest of the time. This balance benefited the Finland team last year. Last year, the team had tours of the Helsinki churches, Theophany liturgy at the New Valaamo Monastery and two nights spent on the monastery grounds, meetings and a lecture at the Orthodox Theological School, lunch with the Archbishop, a meeting with a local young adult group, and many experiences with the city and the locals!
This trip is designed as an investment in emerging Orthodox young adult leaders in the Boston area. Perhaps you are in an official position of ministry at your parish or in an Orthodox organization, or perhaps you contribute diligently, but with no official title. If you are involved in ministry in some way, you are welcome to apply! Throughout the trip, we will meet with clergy and lay leaders, and not only to discuss the Church in Finland and her life, but what it takes to serve and be a leader in the Church.
Why Finland
Orthodox Christianity is one of Finland’s two national religions. Finland has beautiful cathedrals, churches, and monasteries, as well as great natural beauty. This trip is designed to expand a pilgrim’s horizons of world Orthodoxy. Finland’s Orthodox Christian community is similar to America’s in some ways; Orthodox Christianity is a minority religion in Finland, with Protestantism having far more adherents. However, since Orthodoxy is a national religion, the Finnish church has been very intentional and discerning around questions of identity and structure, and their members will make wonderful conversation partners as we in the Boston area attempt to discern intentionally our own ministry choices as well. And, in all honesty, who doesn’t want to see the Northern Lights during Theophany, the Feast of Lights?
More Information:
Itinerary (subject to change):
January 3: Land in Helsinki, get some rest for Liturgy in the morning
January 4: Sunday Divine Liturgy at Uspenski Cathedral, meet Finnish Orthodox contacts, tour Helsinki
January 5: Continue touring Helsinki, depart for New Valaamo Monastery
January 6: Theophany Liturgy and Blessing of the Waters at New Valaamo Monastery
January 7-9: Visit the Theological School, travel back to Helsinki and continue exploring the city and meeting with our contacts and other locals
January 10: Depart for Boston
Cost Information:
Through a Telos Center ministry grant, accommodations and program costs are covered. Participants will be responsible for purchasing flights and meals.
Flights from Boston to Helsinki are relatively inexpensive (right now, the flights from Boston to Helsinki roundtrip in January are $500-600). The Telos Center will be organizing the schedule, transportation while in Finland, lodging, and introductions to the community.
More Information:
Questions? Please email Demetra Zouzas (demetrazouzas@gmail.com) or Bryce Falkowski (bfalkowski@crossroadinstitute.org)
