John Rinne
Encyclopedia
John Wilho Rinne was the Orthodox Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland from 1987 to 2001.
, Finland
on 16 August 1923 to a family belonging to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
.
in theology from Finland's Abo Akademi University
in 1966. In 1967 he received monastic tonsure in the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian
in the island of Patmos
(Greece
). Following his ordination to the diaconate and priesthood at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in 1969 he was elected and consecrated Bishop of Lapland, Auxiliary to the Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland, of the autonomous Finnish Orthodox Church
.
In 1971 Rinne received a doctorate in canon law from the University of Thessaloniki. He was appointed as the Metropolitan of Helsinki
in 1972, a position he held until 1987. He was elected Archbishop of Karelia
and All Finland and head of the autonomous Finnish Orthodox Church
in 1987. He went into retirement in 2001, receiving from the Ecumenical Patriarchate the title of Metropolitan
of Nicaea
.
Birth
Rinne was born in TurkuTurku
Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest city in Finland...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
on 16 August 1923 to a family belonging to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is the national church of Finland. The church professes the Lutheran branch of Christianity, and is a member of the Porvoo Communion....
.
Priesthood and episcopacy
Rinne joined the Orthodox Church in 1966, and he received a doctorateDoctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in theology from Finland's Abo Akademi University
Åbo Akademi University
Åbo Akademi University is a Swedish language university in Turku, Finland . , there are 7 941 students and a staff consisting of 1125 people. The university has activities not only in Turku, but also in Vaasa, Jakobstad, Helsinki and on Åland...
in 1966. In 1967 he received monastic tonsure in the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian
Monastery of Saint John the Theologian
The Monastery of Saint John the Theologian is a Greek Orthodox monastery founded in 1088 in Chora on the island of Patmos. UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage site. It is built on a spot venerated by both Catholics and Eastern Orthodox as the cave where St...
in the island of Patmos
Patmos
Patmos is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea. One of the northernmost islands of the Dodecanese complex, it has a population of 2,984 and an area of . The highest point is Profitis Ilias, 269 meters above sea level. The Municipality of Patmos, which includes the offshore islands of Arkoi ,...
(Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
). Following his ordination to the diaconate and priesthood at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in 1969 he was elected and consecrated Bishop of Lapland, Auxiliary to the Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland, of the autonomous Finnish Orthodox Church
Finnish Orthodox Church
The Finnish Orthodox Church is an autonomous Orthodox archdiocese of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Church has a legal position as a national church in the country, along with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland....
.
In 1971 Rinne received a doctorate in canon law from the University of Thessaloniki. He was appointed as the Metropolitan of Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
in 1972, a position he held until 1987. He was elected Archbishop of Karelia
Karelia
Karelia , the land of the Karelian peoples, is an area in Northern Europe of historical significance for Finland, Russia, and Sweden...
and All Finland and head of the autonomous Finnish Orthodox Church
Finnish Orthodox Church
The Finnish Orthodox Church is an autonomous Orthodox archdiocese of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Church has a legal position as a national church in the country, along with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland....
in 1987. He went into retirement in 2001, receiving from the Ecumenical Patriarchate the title of Metropolitan
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
of Nicaea
Nicaea
Nicaea or Nikaia may be:*The ancient name of several places, including:** İznik, Turkey - formerly Nicaea capital of the Empire of Nicaea**Nice, France**Nicaea, Locris, a fortress city of the Locri Epicnemidii...
.