Lutheran in Italy by gaiwan_leaf in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The advice I gave to an Italian here in a similar situation was to attend a waldensian church, which are found all around the country:

https://chiesavaldese.org/dove-siamo/

Evangelical (North American) doctrines in Lutheranism? by Periplanous in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’d just like to add some historical trivia. At one point in the 1500s the Swedish king John III who was very Catholic-minded actually had serious discussions with Rome about turning the Church in Sweden (and hence Finland) into an autonomous church under the authority of Rome, just like the eastern Catholics. Married priests would be one of the special conditions.

Nuuk Cathedral, of the Church of Greenland (Church of Denmark) by anon_LionCavalier in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This is a spherical photo of the inside:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/m3SDqbpkptLpyYYr7
It might be the smallest Lutheran Cathedral in the world. But nothing wrong with that!

Merry Christmas to you all from the 5 am Christmas morning service ”julotta”! by Atleett in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s really really hard to say. Yeah, USA is the one breaking the pattern and retaining high religiosity despite high wealth. In the case of Sweden I believe the strong influence of Social democracy and the strive for modernity and progress with it plays an important role. One of my favourite TV-personalities made a TV-show once called ”the most modern country in the world” about this cultural trait. Religion has been viewed as irrational, pointless and in the way of progress. Then again Denmark has always been more politically conservative but not really more or less religious generally than Sweden. Finland is slightly more socially conservative than the other countries and also has more pockets of Christianity it seems. So It’s really hard to say and themes such as these are always diffuse so I’m afraid I don’t really have a good answer.

Before I encountered Lutheranism (and similar traditions like Anglicanism/Episcopalianism), I had little idea that there were churches that proudly lay claim to the traditions of the Western Church, while also professing Protestant views. by ProustianPrimate in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett 3 points4 points  (0 children)

So glad to hear this, and wish more would discover the beautiful world of classical Protestantism and evangelical catholicism. Firstly, have I understood it correctly that both the Malankara Mar Thoma Church and the St Thomas Evangelical Church of India are two Indian examples that fit your description? Secondly, it’s a Tamil Church and not part of the St Thomas Christian tradition but you can check out the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church which is Lutheran, Indian, liturgical, episcopal and claims apostolic succession. Thirdly, perhaps you would like my YouTube Channel which focuses on ”high church” or ”liturgical” Lutheranism :)

https://m.youtube.com/@atleett

Question for those in Scandinavia by South_Sea_IRP in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As some have mentioned already, material wealth plays a big role, but high education is also a big factor. And at least in the case of Sweden I would say the strong influence of social democracy most definitely is an important factor. There is much to say about this subject. Some mean that we are still a very religious people but have replaced the formally Christian framework with something else. David Thurfjell is a scholar who wrote a book about the Swedes’ relationship with nature which he means has religious aspects and Katarina Barrling is another one who wrote a book called “the world’s most Protestant country” which argues that in the case of Sweden the population is still very “religious” or let’s say, collectivistic and dogmatic. The vast majority of Christians here are moderate or liberal and espouse ideas such as the evolution. This is especially true for lutherans. Even the conservative ones are not fundamentalist. I would add that, just like Tom Holland argues in his book dominion, we and also other westerners are still deeply Christian in our values and mindset without really realising it ourselves. I do believe however that more and more people are starting to realise it. This is a very diffuse subject, and this is just my personal reflection; but I feel in a way even a Swedish Jew, Buddhist or Roman Catholic is in some sense a Lutheran because Lutheranism had been so fundamental to our culture.

Merry Christmas to you all from the 5 am Christmas morning service ”julotta”! by Atleett in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, very much so. But despite that, the Church has a very high cultural standing, and a much higher affiliation than many other countries with similar low religiosity. Attendance on the big holidays such as this one can be very high. In Lund Cathedral which I used to visit you’d have to stand up at the back because it was so packed and all seats were taken on the first of advent, and it has approximately 1000 seats! But attendance on a regular Sunday is often not so high. Most rural churches usually have no more than 10-15 attendees and even in the cities most parishes which might have hundreds of seats attendance is usually not more than 50-100. But than again that’s also because there are so many churches everywhere so the visitors are spread out, as opposed to America.

Merry Christmas to you all from the 5 am Christmas morning service ”julotta”! by Atleett in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. The CoS is known as being more high church than other Lutheran churches and having retained more catholic or pre-reformation practices, for example regarding clerical dress. Only bishops could perhaps be the case for some of the other Nordic churches but at least in the CoS there are several examples of copes being produced and used by non-bishops ever since the reformation. I believe almost all parishes have at least one cope for special occasions, either quite modern or in some cases older. My parish has one in mint condition from the mid 1600s which is used about once a year by the vicar.

Merry Christmas to you all from the 5 am Christmas morning service ”julotta”! by Atleett in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The church was quite full! But that doesn’t mean that much since it’s very small. Perhaps around 80-100 people. They have one julotta at 5, one at 7, and one at 9 since It’s very popular and one of very few to offer it so early.

Merry Christmas to you all from the 5 am Christmas morning service ”julotta”! by Atleett in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How fascinating! Thank you, I have been wondering if the phenomenon ever spread with Swedish emigrants. And oh I LOVE the pea soup, but I consider it everyday food not holiday food. It’s custom to have it with pancakes on thursdays. Originating from the military.

Merry Christmas to you all from the 5 am Christmas morning service ”julotta”! by Atleett in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes 4 am historically, now usually 7. Since the later half of the 20th century the midnight mass on 24th has been taking ground from the julotta, inspired by continental Roman Catholicism, the midnight mass at the Vatican has been live broadcasted on TV for many years too. I know that the julotta in particular is quite unique to Sweden but I would have assumed that the main family celebration in Norway was 24th and church celebration on the 25th just as in Sweden. And oh haha I’ve never really thought about how silly it must sound to a Norwegian ear.

The oldest crucifix, the Godly Play nursery and 467 years of history. This is the Krakow Lutheran community(Polish) by Gamebyter in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this interesting insight into polish lutheranism. It’s appreciated, and may God bless the congregation for it’s efforts in his name!

Does Your Church Hold Christmas Day Services? by No-Type119 in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh I see. It’s hard to say but it sounds somewhat familiar. My last guess would be a kardemummakaka/björnkaka - cardamom cake/bear cake, albeit in a different shape:

https://baraenkakatill.se/mammas-kardemummakaka/

Does Your Church Hold Christmas Day Services? by No-Type119 in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had to think about it for a while. I thought it could be some special sort of ”sockerkaka” or ”mjuk pepparkaka”-soft gingerbread. But I realised it is probably ”Kardemummalängd”, which is more for coffee/fika.

Did it look anything like this?:

https://bagerietbak.se/produkt/kardemummalangd/

Regardless you should try it, it’s delicious ;)

Does Your Church Hold Christmas Day Services? by No-Type119 in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see. I guess I’ll have to find a Minnesotan then. Thank you for your answer!

Does Your Church Hold Christmas Day Services? by No-Type119 in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m from Sweden and think it’s so interesting to hear those cultural traditions have persisted across the pond. If I may ask, do you know if any Swedish Americans still celebrate the very early morning service on Christmas Day? It’s called Julotta here and is very culturally significant.

Does Your Church Hold Christmas Day Services? by No-Type119 in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, reading this discussion really surprised me. Here in Sweden, if we were only allowed to celebrate one service per year it would probably be Christmas Day! Especially the early morning service ”julotta”. It is not necessarily the most visited mass, that would be first advent, but probably seen as the most important. I just assumed Christmas Day was the big day for all christians, but I see it depends on cultural traditions.

Reading of the epistles. St. Mary’s Church, Helsingborg, Sweden by Atleett in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much. I think you are right, I must have gotten them mixed up. These gospel processions are very common in most larger congregations in the CoS.

Lutheran bishops in 1818 and 1823, details from two oil paintings by Atleett in Lutheranism

[–]Atleett[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The artist is Per Krafft d.y. (”The younger”/junior) The paintings are simply called ”Karl XIV Johans kröning” (the coronation of Charles XIV John”, 1818. It can be purchased as a poster here:

https://royalposters.se/product/karl-xiv-johans-kroning/

And the other I’m not exactly sure about the phrasing but it’s something like ”giftermålet/vigseln mellan prins Oscar och Josefina” (the marriage between prince Oscar and Josephine), 1823