Confirmation Schools in Many Languages in Helsinki

24.02.2023, 12:29 / updated 12.09.2025, 19:12

Helsinki parishes offer confirmation schools in Arabic, Chinese, English, Estonian and Russian languages. In confirmation school one learns the basics of the Christian faith.

Raamattu auki, taustalla syksyinen maisema

Helsinki parishes offer confirmation schools in Arabic, Chinese, English, Estonian and Russian languages, in addition to Finnish and Swedish. In confirmation school one learns the central aspects of the Christian faith. At the end of confirmation school, and if needed baptism, a person can be added to the Lutheran church. As a member of the church one can become a godparent and can be married in a church.

Confirmation schools are arranged both in person and remotely. In addition to group confirmation schools, they can be arranged individually and to people of various ages. The earliest age one can attend confirmation school is 15, but there is no upper age limit.

More information about confirmation school fees you will get from the contact persons.

CONFIRMATION SCHOOL IN ENGLISH

WHAT IF I DON`T SPEAK FINNISH OR WANT A MORE INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE?

ECS 2026 is the answer! Olari parish (Espoo) and St. Matthew’s International Lutheran Church (Helsinki) collaborate and organize an English Confirmation School in Velskola, Espoo 27.7.–3.8.2026. Confirmation is in Olari Church 8.8. at 14 o’clock.

For adults, confirmation school is arranged when needed. If you are interested, please contact pastor Anna Poutiainen (St. Matthew’s International Lutheran Church, Helsinki), anna.poutiainen@evl.fi, +358503080803.

CONFIRMATION SCHOOL IN CHINESE

在阿勒比拉教堂（Alppilan kirkko), 全年都有芬兰信义会华语教会安排的受洗前教育课程，您可以参加小组课程也可单独授课。联系电话：黄牧师, Puh: +358503803445; 助理张姊妹, Puh: +358509110550

Chinese language confirmation schools are arranged frequently at Alppila Church (Alppilan kirkko). School is arranged both for groups and for individuals. Please contact Pastor Paulos Huang +358503803445; or assistant Ruth Zhang +358509110550

CONFIRMATION SCHOOL IN ESTONIAN

Eestikeelne leerikool täiskasvanutele: 20.9.-21.12.2025 ja keväällä 2026.

Leerikool kestab neli kuud ning lõppeb leeriteenistusega, kus kõik leerilapsed saavad soovi korral ristitud ja/või leeritatud, st. täieõiguslikeks koguduse liikmeiks, kellel on edaspidi õigus kiriklikule laulatusele, ristivanemaks saamisele, laste ristimisele jne. Tunnid toimuvad Vartiokylä kirikus. Tasuta. Lisainfo: dagmar.ounap@evl.fi, +358503259596

The adult confirmation school in Estonian will take place from September 20 to December 21, 2025, and in spring 2026 at Vartiokylä Church. The confirmation school will conclude with the opportunity for baptism. For more information, contact dagmar.ounap@evl.fi, +358503259596

CONFIRMATION SCHOOL IN RUSSIAN

Рипари на русском!

Конфирмационное обучение для молодежи 15–18 лет. Азы христианства, размышления о смысле жизни и этических вопросах. В обучение входит несколько встреч и неделя 22.-29.6.2026 в лагерном центре Porkkala. Запись и информация: Anna Lewing, +358503801175

Конфирмационное обучение для взрослых
Обучение в группе на русском языке состоит из 24 еженедельных встреч в церкви св. Матфея. Обуучение дает возможность пройти конфирмацию и стать членом лютеранской церкви. Начало новой группы в ноябре 2025. Занятия по воскресеньям 14-16, в помещении Matteuksen kirkko (Turunlinnantie 3, Itäkeskus). Занятия проводятся бесплатно. Для желающих конфирмация по окончанию обучения, в апреле 2026 года. Дополнительная информация и запись: vladimir.blaginin@evl.fi, +358503802060

In the capital region, a common confirmation school in Russian is arranged for youth aged 15–18. It includes a few meetings in the city during May and a confirmation camp in the summer. For more information: anna.lewing@evl.fi, +358503801175

The adult confirmation school has 24 weekly meetings at St. Matthew's Church (Matteuksenkirkko) and offers the chance to be baptized. The next group, in Russian, will start in November 2025, with confirmation in April 2026. Private lessons are also possible. For more information: vladimir.blaginin@evl.fi, +358503802060

CONFIRMATION SCHOOL IN ARABIC

ينظم العمل الكنسي العربي في هلسنكي و فانتا و أسبو دورات تثبيت و دروس معمودية على مدار السنه في كنيسة مولوبورو
الرجاء التواصل مع القس رامز عنصرة
راعي الكنيسة
+358503041689

ِArabiankielistä rippikouluopetusta järjestetään Myllypuron kirkolla ympäri vuoden. Mahdollisuus osallistua ryhmäopetukseen ja/tai yksityisopetukseen. Lisätietoa: pastori Ramez Ansara; +358503041689

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CHURCH SERVICES IN OTHER LANGUAGES

Helsinki parishes offer a wide range of religious services in many languages. To see more information, and contact information, please see this link: Helsinki parishes serve in many languages

General information over Confirmation school in the Finnish Lutheran Church

Confirmation school offers a unique opportunity to get to know the activities of the church, to learn about the Christian faith, to think about what this faith means to oneself and how it looks like in day-to-day life and in the Finnish society.

Confirmation schools are organised by the local parishes of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Finland. Also, some church related youth organizations organise confirmation schools.

A vast majority of Finns attend confirmation school in the year they turn fifteen. Also, those who do not belong to a Christian church or are not baptised are welcome. Attendance does not obligate to become a member of the church and it does not require any prior knowledge. It is enough to commit yourself to completing the whole course. After completion, all participants receive a certificate, even if they do not participate in the actual rite of confirmation.

Confirmation school is required for participation in the rite of confirmation. Confirmation is a celebrative worship service in which the young confirmands confess their Christian faith together. All baptised church members can be confirmed. Those who have not been baptised yet can receive baptism while attending confirmation school. Thus, confirmation school offers an opportunity to make a personal commitment to membership in the church and to living life as a Christian.

After the confirmation service, the young confirmed may celebrate the event with family, godparents, and friends. Often, the confirmed receive gifts. The most typical and most meaningful gift is a pendant in the form of a cross.

Confirmation school generally lasts for six months and includes various meetings and gatherings with the group. A central part of the confirmation school is a one-week camp at a camp centre, usually in the summer or during winter holidays.

City confirmation schools do not include a camp; instead, the group meets in the premises of the local parish for ten days. In confirmation school students study, play, pray, discuss, eat, sing, laugh, talk, read, and study life, the Bible, and God. The leaders are trained church staff including at least one pastor. The assistant leaders (“biggies”) are older youth that have attended confirmation school earlier and have received special training. Exceptional care is taken to safeguard the well-being and safety of all participants.

It is also possible to attend confirmation school privately or in small groups. This is common especially for adults who have not attended confirmation school as teenagers. It is also possible to attend confirmation school as a family. Special confirmation schools are organised for youth with learning disabilities or other special requirements.

Helsinki parishes organize every year a large number of confirmation schools in Finnish and in Swedish. The cost for confirmation school including a one-week camp is 150–250 €. Some special confirmation schools, such as hiking confirmation schools, cost 250–580 €. The fee includes teaching, study materials, insurance, transportation, and full boarding at the camp centre. The city confirmation school costs no more than a lunch fee. It is possible to apply for a discount or fee waiver on financial grounds – ask more at the organising parish.