Order of the Holy Lamb

The Order of the Holy Lamb can be classified as a semi-official ecclesiastical order and is unique among Finnish decorations in this regard. The term semi-official is somewhat unspecific, but is conventionally used in the Finnish context to denote those orders and decorations that are not established by the state but are recognized by it to a degree. For instance, the Order of the Holy Lamb is semi-official, because the Orthodox Church is a statutory corporation.{{cite book|last=Wrede|first=E. F.|year=1946|title=Finlands utmärkelsetecken: En redogörelse för Finlands officiella och halvofficiella utmärkelse- och minnestecken|language=sv|location=Helsinki|publisher=Söderström & C:o Förlagsaktiebolag|oclc=12443949|page=86}} Other semi-official decorations include those of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, {{ill|Suomen Talousseura|fi|}}, and {{ill|Decorations of the Finland Chamber of Commerce|fi|Keskuskauppakamarin ansiomerkit|lt=Finland Chamber of Commerce}}.{{cite book|last=Anaja|first=Markus|year=2021|title=Protokollaopas maanpuolustajalle|language=fi|location=Helsinki|publisher=Sotilasperinteen Seura ry|isbn=978-951-98561-8-6|url=https://maanpuolustusmitali.fi/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Maanpuolustustajan-protokollaopas.pdf#page=21|page=41}} In contrast to the other semi-official decorations, the Order of the Holy Lamb is an order because it is organized on the lines of an order and has a commonly accepted font of honor.{{sfn|Kallinen|2018|p=26}}{{Cite news |last=Tetri |first=Juha E. |title=Ritarikunta-nimeä käytettävä harkiten |newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat |date=24 January 1998 |department=Mielipide |url= https://www.hs.fi/mielipide/art-2000003690383.html |language=fi }} Finally, while the Lutheran Church issues ecclesiastical decorations and there are some foreign ecclesiastical orders with activities in Finland – such as the Protestant Order of Saint John and the Catholic Order of the Holy Sepulchre – the Order of the Holy Lamb is the only ecclesiastical order native to Finland. Unlike these other religious orders, the Order of the Holy Lamb is purely an order of merit.{{Cite web |title=Ritarikuntia |work=Temppeliherrain Ritarikunta ry |access-date=2023-05-17 |url= https://www.temppeliherrat.fi/2015-08-05-06-00-29/historiaa/25-historiaa08 |language=fi }}

It is the only semi-official order of Finland, meaning that while not a state order it is still under the patronage and recognized to a degree by the state.{{sfn|Tiainen|2010|p=113}} Many countries have orders of Eastern Orthodox Churches with a comparable status.{{sfn|Tetri|2003|p=31}} The order is recognized as legitimate by the International Commission for Orders of Chivalry.{{Cite web |title=Provisional list of orders |publisher=International Commission for Orders of Chivalry |access-date=18 September 2024 |url= https://www.icocregister.com/order-list/ }}

Although not part of the official Finnish order of precedence,{{Cite web |title=Keskinäinen järjestys |work=Ritarikunnat – Suomen Valkoisen Ruusun ja Suomen Leijonan ritarikunnat |access-date=2023-05-17 |url= https://ritarikunnat.fi/kunniamerkit/keskinainen-jarjestys/ |language=fi }} wearing the order alongside official decorations in state functions is permitted.{{Cite web |title=Muut kunnia- ja ansiomerkit |work=Ritarikunnat – Suomen Valkoisen Ruusun ja Suomen Leijonan ritarikunnat |access-date=2023-05-17 |url= https://ritarikunnat.fi/kunniamerkit/muut-kunnia-ja-ansiomerkit/ |language=fi }} The statutes of the order simply say that it is to be worn after the Order of the White Rose of Finland.{{Cite web |title=Pyhän Karitsan Ritarikunnan ohjesääntö |work=Suomen ortodoksinen kirkko |url=https://www.ort.fi/virallisia_asiakirjoja/pyhaen-karitsan-ritarikunnan-ohjesaeaentoe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225224303/https://www.ort.fi/virallisia_asiakirjoja/pyhaen-karitsan-ritarikunnan-ohjesaeaentoe|archive-date=2015-12-25 |language=fi }} The statutes, dating from 1935, however do not take into consideration subsequent developments in the Finnish order of precedence. Accordingly, the chancery of the Orders of the White Rose of Finland and the Lion of Finland specifies that it is to be worn after all official decorations and "Memorial Crosses and Memorial Medals of the War of Independence, Winter War, and Continuation War and other Crosses of Merit and Medals of Merit of patriotic activity in chronological order",{{Cite web |title=Kunniamerkkien käyttö |work=Ritarikunnat – Suomen Valkoisen Ruusun ja Suomen Leijonan ritarikunnat |access-date=29 September 2022 |url= https://ritarikunnat.fi/opas/kunniamerkkien-kaytto/ |language=fi }} the most junior of which is the {{ill|Medal of Merit of Volunatry National Defence Work|fi|Vapaaehtoisen maanpuolustustyön ansiomitali}}.{{sfn|Tetri|2003|p=113}} Other semi-official decorations and unofficial ones come after the order.

The Church's {{ill|administrative council|fi|Kirkollishallitus}} announced a design competition for insignia of a new order on January 10, 1933, and set up a three-person committee to oversee the competition. Designs by five participants were sent to the committee, with one of the participants wanting to take part only unofficially. On March 31, 1933, the committee announced the winning designs by Senior Deacon Leo Kasanko of Sortavala.{{sfn|Härkönen|1966|p=6}} The winning design included 12 drawings – six in color and another six in grayscale – by Kasanko. Only small changes were made, most notably with regards to the shape of the cross held by the Lamb of God, which was simplified to ease manufacturing. Finishing touches to the insignia were made by Oskar Pihl,{{sfn|Härkönen|1966|p=13}} who would go on to design the Mannerheim Cross, the insignia of the Order of the Lion of Finland, and the Finnish Olympic Cross of Merit and Medal of Merit.{{sfn|Matikkala|2017|pp=166–170, 249–250}}

The statutes of the order were approved by the {{ill|general synod of the Orthodox Church of Finland|fi|Suomen ortodoksisen kirkon kirkolliskokous}} in Sortavala on June 20, 1935, and a commission it had set affirmed the decision on November 8.{{sfn|Härkönen|1966|p=6}} Finnish President Pehr Evind Svinhufvud also assented to the formation of the new order in November.{{sfn|Tiainen|2010|p=113}}

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland considered establishing an order of its own, emulating the model of the Order of the Holy Lamb. A committee worked on the proposal in 2002 but decided against an order, the Church instead instituting ecclesial decorations: the Saint Henry Cross, {{ill|Mikael Agricola Cross|fi|Mikael Agricolan risti}}, and Pro ecclesia Medal.{{Cite web |title=Suomessa toimii kuusi hengellistä ritarikuntaa |last=Seppälä |first=Olli |work=Kotimaa |date=18 March 2016 |access-date=2023-05-17 |url= https://www.kotimaa.fi/artikkeli/suomessa-toimii-kuusi-hengellista-ritarikuntaa/ |language=fi }}{{Cite web |title=Kirkolliset kunniamerkit |publisher=Suomen evankelis-luterilainen kirkko |access-date=2023-05-17 |url= https://evl.fi/plus/hallinto-ja-talous/kirkon-keskusrahaston-talous/kirkolliset-kunniamerkit |language=fi }}

The {{ill|Archbishop of the Orthodox Church of Finland|fi|Suomen ortodoksisen kirkon arkkipiispa}} – currently Archbishop Leo – is the Grand Master of the order. The Church's administrative council, based in Kuopio, serves as the board of the order and records all holders in its minutes.{{Cite web |title=Suomen ortodoksinen kirkollishallitus |work=Finder|publisher=Fonecta |access-date=2023-05-17 |url= https://www.finder.fi/Seurakunta/Suomen+ortodoksinen+kirkollishallitus/Kuopio/yhteystiedot/161000 |language=fi }}{{sfn|Kallinen|2018|p=26}}

Nominations to the order are usually made by bishops and vicars of the Church. The order is conferred all year round.{{sfn|Kallinen|2018|p=27}} Since 1994 the order has been awarded also to distinguished mothers, mostly of large families, annually (from each diocese of the Church: {{ill|Diocese of Karelia|fi|Kuopion ja Karjalan hiippakunta|lt=Karelia}}, {{ill|Orthodox Diocese of Helsinki|fi|Helsingin ortodoksinen hiippakunta|lt=Helsinki}}, and {{ill|Orthodox Diocese of Oulu|fi|Oulun ortodoksinen hiippakunta|lt=Oulu}}).{{cite news|title=Ortodoksiäideille oma kunniamerkki|newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat|agency=STT|date=23 March 1994|page=A 4|url=https://nakoislehti.hs.fi/c446ce45-4068-41bd-9f27-f39a700d93ec/4|language=fi}} They are awarded with Knight, First Class.{{Cite web |title=Ehdota ansioitunutta äitiä – Lähetä ehdotuksesi kirkkoherralle 18.3. mennessä |work=Helsingin ortodoksinen seurakunta |date=7 March 2022 |access-date=2023-05-17 |url= https://www.hos.fi/ehdota-ansioitunutta-aitia-laheta-ehdotuksesi-kirkkoherralle-18-3-mennessa/ |language=fi }} In addition to mothers, these recipients have included grandmothers and other women working with children.{{Cite web |title=Tarja Jetsoselle Pyhän Karitsan ritarikunnan I luokan ritarimerkki |work=Rautalammin ortodoksinen seurakunta |date=12 November 2020|url= https://ort.fi/rautalampi/2020/11/12/tarja-jetsoselle-pyhan-karitsan-ritarikunnan-i-luokan-ritarimerkki/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125233256/https://ort.fi/rautalampi/2020/11/12/tarja-jetsoselle-pyhan-karitsan-ritarikunnan-i-luokan-ritarimerkki/|archive-date=2021-01-25|language=fi }} A {{ill|Äitienpäivänkunniamerkki|fi|lt=similar tradition}} has existed in the Order of the White Rose of Finland since 1946.{{sfn|Matikkala|2017|p=217}}

The order is organized along the lines of a standard five-class order with two additional medals.{{sfn|Kallinen|2018|p=26}}{{sfn|Tiainen|2010|pp=117–120}} Awardees of the two lowest classes are titled Knights – First or Second Class – if they are laypeople, and Members – First or Second Class – if they are part of the clergy. The Grand Cross is primarily reserved for foreign bishops and archbishops and is rarely awarded to Finnish nationals. In principle, it can be awarded to other archbishops and bishops, members of the Finnish Government, and holders of the Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland.{{sfn|Tiainen|2010|p=113}} The classes are:{{sfn|Tiainen|2010|pp=117–120}}

• 85px Grand Cross
• 85px Commander, First Class
• 85px Commander, Second Class
• 85px Knight/Member, First Class
• 85px Knight/Member, Second Class
• 85px Medal, First Class
• 85px Medal, Second Class

The insignia are generally thought to be of high value aesthetically.{{sfn|Härkönen|1966|p=6}} All classes have the same blue-gray ribbon with white stripes.{{sfn|Tetri|2003|p=56}} Diplomas of the order used to be very ornate, but are now much simpler.{{sfn|Tiainen|2010|p=116}}

The order can be conferred to anyone regardless of their religion,{{cite book|editor-last1=Hieronymussen|editor-first1=Poul Ohm|editor-last2=Lundø|editor-first2=Jørgen|translator-last=Karnila|translator-first=Christer|title=Eurooppalaiset kunniamerkit värikuvina|trans-title=Europæiske ordner i farver|year=1968|publisher=WSOY|location=Porvoo|language=fi|oclc=466954328|page=110}} so long as they have provided services to the Church. Many recipients are in fact Lutherans, members of the largest Church in Finland, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. The ecumenical nature of the order has been taken as a sign of the traditionally good relations between the Orthodox and Lutheran Churches in Finland.{{sfn|Härkönen|1966|p=6}} The order can also be conferred to foreigners. Foreigners' insignia must be returned after they have died.{{sfn|Tetri|2003|p=56}} Internationally, the insignia of the order are hold in high esteem and generally recognized even abroad.{{sfn|Kallinen|2018|p=26}}{{sfn|Härkönen|1966|p=6}}

{{div col}}

• Archbishop Herman{{sfn|Kuka kukin on|1954|loc="Herman"}}
• Oskari Mantere{{Cite web |title=Mantere, Oskari (1874 - 1942) |last=Autio |first=Veli-Matti |date=4 May 2001 |work=Kansallisbiografia-verkkojulkaisu |series=Studia Biographica 4|location=Helsinki |publisher=Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura |issn=1799-4349 |access-date= |url= http://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:sks-kbg-000650 |language=fi }}
• Antti Kukkonen{{cite news|title=Pyhän Karitsan suurristi min. Kukkoselle ja pääjoht. Cajanderille.|newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat|date=12 January 1941|page=10|url=https://nakoislehti.hs.fi/e06240b9-7e43-4dc6-ac9c-e2ae0e7975d4/10|language=fi}}
• Aimo Cajander
• Arvi Oksala{{Cite web |title=Oksala, Arvi (1891 - 1949) |last=Uola |first=Mikko |date=20 May 2024 |work=Kansallisbiografia-verkkojulkaisu |series=Studia Biographica 4|location=Helsinki |publisher=Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura |issn=1799-4349 |access-date= |url= http://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:sks-kbg-000937 |language=fi }}
• {{ill|Arvo Manner|fi}}{{sfn|Kuka kukin on|1954|loc="Manner, Arvo"}}
• Yrjö Puhakka{{sfn|Kuka kukin on|1954|loc="Puhakka, Yrjö"}}
• Urho Kekkonen
• Archbishop Paul{{sfn|Kuka kukin on|1974|loc="Paavali"}}
• {{ill|Bishop Aleksanteri|fi|Aleksanteri Karpin}}{{Cite web |title=Aleksanteri (1883 - 1969) |last=Laitila |first=Teuvo |date=12 January 2001 |work=Kansallisbiografia-verkkojulkaisu |series=Studia Biographica 4|location=Helsinki |publisher=Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura |issn=1799-4349 |access-date= |url= http://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:sks-kbg-003013 |language=fi }}
• Athenagoras I of Constantinople{{cite news|title=Uutta kulttuurikosketusta Suomen ja Turkin välillä: Arkkipiispa Paavali patriarkan vieraana Istanbulissa|newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat|date=24 November 1961|page=6|url=https://nakoislehti.hs.fi/fa6e6f31-c8bd-49a9-b07e-2a6b14b35e67/6|language=fi}}
• {{ill|Porphyrios III|ru|Порфирий (Павлинос)}}{{cite news|title=Suomalaisiakin mukana Siinain luostarin 1400-vuotisjuhlassa|newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat|date=5 October 1966|page=13|url=https://nakoislehti.hs.fi/c98ac026-1c8f-4d73-9183-c00b8683c798/13|language=fi}}
• Mikko Volotinen{{sfn|Kuka kukin on|1974|loc="Volotinen, Mikko"}}
• Patriarch Pimen I of Moscow{{cite news|title=Patriarkka Pimen rukoili maailmanrauhan puolesta|newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat|date=6 May 1974|page=11|url=https://nakoislehti.hs.fi/8badfca3-548b-4882-ac30-4667b2fc7652/11|language=fi}}
• Demetrios I of Constantinople{{cite news|title=Paavali ajaa ortodoksien hidasta itsenäistymistä|newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat|date=22 April 1980|page=6|url=https://nakoislehti.hs.fi/e7da2ccd-dab4-49a8-b2d8-9e87ef342fc1/6|language=fi}}
• Mauno Koivisto
• Tellervo Koivisto
• Archbishop John{{Cite web |title=Johannes (1923 - 2010) |last=Laitila |first=Teuvo |date=27 February 2012 |work=Kansallisbiografia-verkkojulkaisu |series=Studia Biographica 4|location=Helsinki |publisher=Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura |issn=1799-4349 |access-date= |url= http://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:sks-kbg-008404 |language=fi }}
• Konstantinos Karamanlis{{cite news|title=Arkkipiispa Johannekselle Kreikan arvokkain kunniamerkki|newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat|date=11 May 1991|page=A 4|url=https://nakoislehti.hs.fi/2399c37a-52eb-4d9e-a7c0-778692274e09/4|language=fi}}
• Konstantinos Mitsotakis
• Seraphim of Athens
• Anastasios Sideris{{cite news|title=Ansiomerkit|newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat|date=22 October 1991|page=A 4|url=https://nakoislehti.hs.fi/69ba7375-6d85-4f3f-832a-636d0ebb6278/4|language=fi}}
• Olli Bergman{{cite news|title=Pyhän Karitsan suurristi rovasti Bergmanille|newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat|date=16 November 1994|page=A 4|url=https://nakoislehti.hs.fi/6e260a41-58fc-4c59-8d68-f585a6ee50dd/4|language=fi}}
• Bartholomew I of Constantinople{{cite news|title=Matkoille|newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat|date=7 May 1993|page=A 4|url=https://nakoislehti.hs.fi/e9362edd-8cdc-44d7-9e62-3a15d7c35783/4|language=fi}}
• Martti Ahtisaari{{cite news|title=Pyhän Karitsan suurristi Ahtisaarelle|newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat|date=22 February 1995|page=A 4|url=https://nakoislehti.hs.fi/b9d42152-fa40-4c06-bbb6-5f78ddf8fd2a/4|language=fi}}
• Patriarch Peter VII of Alexandria{{Cite web |title=Afrikan paavi vihki savusaunan Iisalmessa |department=Kotimaa |work=Helsingin Sanomat |date=10 June 1998 |access-date=2023-05-17 |url= https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000003722561.html |language=fi }}
• Archbishop Leo{{cite book|year=2014|title=Kuka kukin on / Who's who in Finland: 2015|language=fi|location=Helsinki|publisher=Otava|isbn=978-951-1-28228-0|at="Leo"}}

{{div col end}}

• Orders, decorations, and medals of Finland
• Ecclesiastical decoration

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite news|last=Härkönen|first=Pentti|title=Pyhän Karitsan ritarimerkki|newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat|date=30 November 1966|pages=6, 13|url=https://nakoislehti.hs.fi/598dee09-db81-4c88-b95a-38fa349f5964/6|language=fi}}
• {{cite magazine|last=Kallinen|first=Kimmo|year=2018|title=Kirkko huomioi ja palkitsee|magazine=Ortodoksiviesti|issue=7/18|language=fi|issn=0788-9194|url=https://www.hos.fi/wp-content/uploads/ortodoksiviestit/2018/ov7-2018.pdf#page=26|pages=26–28}}
• {{cite book|year=1954|title=Kuka kukin on / Who's who in Finland: 1954|language=fi|location=Helsinki|publisher=Otava|oclc=822651849|url=https://runeberg.org/kuka/1954/0209.html|ref={{SfnRef|Kuka kukin on|1954}} }}
• {{cite book|year=1974|title=Kuka kukin on / Who's who in Finland: 1974|language=fi|location=Helsinki|publisher=Otava|isbn=951-1-01334-3|ref={{SfnRef|Kuka kukin on|1974}} }}
• {{cite book|last=Matikkala|first=Antti|year=2017|title=Suomen Valkoisen Ruusun ja Suomen Leijonan ritarikunnat|language=fi|location=Helsinki|publisher=Edita|isbn=978-951-37-7005-1}}
• {{cite book|last=Tetri|first=Juha E.|title=Kunniamerkkikirja|location=Helsinki|publisher=Ajatus|year=2003|isbn=951-9440-23-2|edition=3rd updated|language=fi}}
• {{Cite book|last=Tiainen|first=Jani|title=Suomen kunniamerkit / The orders, decorations, and medals of Finland|date=2010|publisher=Apali|isbn=978-952-5877-03-8|location=Tampere|language=fi, en}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225224303/https://www.ort.fi/virallisia_asiakirjoja/pyhaen-karitsan-ritarikunnan-ohjesaeaentoe |date=December 25, 2015 |title=Statutes}} {{in lang|fi}}

Category:Eastern Orthodox ecclesiastical decorations

Category:Orders, decorations, and medals of Finland

Category:Orthodox Church of Finland

Category:Awards established in 1935

Category:1935 establishments in Finland