Finland is about 80% protestant (nominally), Evangelical Lutheran to be exact, and about 1% Orthodox Christian. Russia is predominantly Orthodox Christian. Catholicism is even smaller than Orthodox Christianity here. In the 16th century Finland was part of the Realm of Sweden. The king, Gustav Vasa I backed the Reformation like many other monarchs in Northern Europe.
Our Reformation was doctrinally based on the work of Martin Luther of Germany. The state seized the opportunity to take control of the large property of the Catholic Church. In Britain, for example, the treasures of hundreds of monasteries found their way into state coffers. In Evangelic Lutheranism, austerity in ornamentation was gradually introduced into houses of worship. Save for the painting in the back of the altar, there is nothing at all left these days. If there weren't a cross outside, you wouldn't even recognize many of the modern churches as churches. Protestantism meant, on the other hand, the democratization of religion in the sense that it was considered important that the entire adult population learn to read and interpret the Bible themselves. The language of the people would be the language of worship and the language of worship would move from imagery to words. Interestingly, the Church of England has retained more of the ornamentation of the Catholic era.
I think Reformation had clear and long-lasting implications in aesthetics in protestant countries. In the Nordic countries, it was quite extreme, and quite obvious in architecture and furniture design of our time, for example.
This is a comprehensive breakdown. I really learnt from your wealth of knowledge on this. In my view and experience, I see that there is a dichotomy between protestant, orthodox and Catholics. In my relationship witt people I decide to stay or leave religion out of the picture.
Well, as you know, these religions are foreign to us. Africans had their religion before the indoctrination of Churches and religion. This helped and enlightened us in many ways, and many could read not only the bible but other things that were useful.
Christianity is an offshoot of Judaism. There were a number of larger and smaller religions in the Mediterranean basin before Christianity was made state religion in the Roman Empire in the 4th century. In Scandinavia, the Vikings had their religion and the Finns had theirs. Christianity was formally adopted as state religion in the Nordic countries in stages beginning the 10th century (first in Denmark).
Finland is about 80% protestant (nominally), Evangelical Lutheran to be exact, and about 1% Orthodox Christian. Russia is predominantly Orthodox Christian. Catholicism is even smaller than Orthodox Christianity here. In the 16th century Finland was part of the Realm of Sweden. The king, Gustav Vasa I backed the Reformation like many other monarchs in Northern Europe.
Our Reformation was doctrinally based on the work of Martin Luther of Germany. The state seized the opportunity to take control of the large property of the Catholic Church. In Britain, for example, the treasures of hundreds of monasteries found their way into state coffers. In Evangelic Lutheranism, austerity in ornamentation was gradually introduced into houses of worship. Save for the painting in the back of the altar, there is nothing at all left these days. If there weren't a cross outside, you wouldn't even recognize many of the modern churches as churches. Protestantism meant, on the other hand, the democratization of religion in the sense that it was considered important that the entire adult population learn to read and interpret the Bible themselves. The language of the people would be the language of worship and the language of worship would move from imagery to words. Interestingly, the Church of England has retained more of the ornamentation of the Catholic era.
I think Reformation had clear and long-lasting implications in aesthetics in protestant countries. In the Nordic countries, it was quite extreme, and quite obvious in architecture and furniture design of our time, for example.
This is a comprehensive breakdown. I really learnt from your wealth of knowledge on this. In my view and experience, I see that there is a dichotomy between protestant, orthodox and Catholics. In my relationship witt people I decide to stay or leave religion out of the picture.
Well, as you know, these religions are foreign to us. Africans had their religion before the indoctrination of Churches and religion. This helped and enlightened us in many ways, and many could read not only the bible but other things that were useful.
Christianity is an offshoot of Judaism. There were a number of larger and smaller religions in the Mediterranean basin before Christianity was made state religion in the Roman Empire in the 4th century. In Scandinavia, the Vikings had their religion and the Finns had theirs. Christianity was formally adopted as state religion in the Nordic countries in stages beginning the 10th century (first in Denmark).