This study examines the diaconia work of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church from the standpoint of clients. The role of diaconia work has grown since the early 1990s recession, and since it established itself as one of the actors along with other social organizations. Previous studies have described the changing role of diaconal work, especially [...]

One essential form of helping people in the Evangelical Lutheran Church’s diaconal work is providing economic aid. It can be seen as work which is in accordance with the spirit of the Church Order (4:3). One of the tasks of diaconal work, determined by the Church Order, is to help those whose distress is the [...]

Latvus, Kari. “Origin of the caritative diaconia concept” The aim of the article is to analyze the historical development of the concept caritative diaconia.  In the New Testament the word διακονία refers to various tasks and ministries. The word does not have a specific caritative meaning and only in some cases it is connected with [...]

Ryökäs, Esko and Tahvanainen, Juha. “Diaconia as a building – the concept of ‘diaconia’ in the Middle Ages and by Luther” Luther himself did not use the word “diaconia” though he wrote a lot about a Christian helping one’s neighbor. The article seeks to demonstrate using some examples that this is due to the usage of this Latin word during Luther’s time. In the explanatory book of the Catholic Mass (1561) “diaconia” was a hospital for the poor with a chapel. The calendar of the year 1586 says that “diaconia” were sacred buildings. A similar statement can be found in the Hierolexicon [...]

Ryökäs, Esko. “The ideal and the true nature of the deaconess. An example of a change in understanding of ‘diakonia’” This article shows by analyzing the requirements of the deaconess in Finnish deacon textbooks how the concept of this caring ministry has changed in Finland during the past 120 years. For Theodor Fliedner deaconesses were church-oriented individuals who knew how to work. He also stressed that the work required a sacrifice which was born out of true faith. This line appeared also in Deaconess Institute’s textbook in 1920’s (Snellman). When “diakonia” work started in Finland in the 1890s, [...]

Gothóni, Raili and Jantunen, Eila. “Concepts in diaconal work” This article examines how the concept diaconal nursing (diakoninen hoitotyö) and diaconal social work (diakoninen sosiaalityö) are understood. Both concepts are used mainly (or almost exclusively) in Finland.  The education and position of deacons and deaconesses are unique, including the church model and structure, economic resources, [...]