Church of Valkea
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| Church of Valkea | |
|---|---|
| Valken kirkko | |
 | |
| Classification | Protestantism |
| Orientation | Lutheranism |
| Polity | Episcopal |
| Primate | Archbishop Juho Iivonen |
| Associations | Astyrian Lutheran Federation |
| Region | Valkea |
| Language | Valkean |
| Headquarters | Kiesimä, Valkea |
| Founder | King Pekka I of Valkea |
| Origin | 1536 |
| Separated from | Roman Catholic Church |
| Members | 25,681,651 |
| Official website | www.valkenkirkko.vk |
The Church of Valkea is an Evangelical Lutheran protestant church in Valkea. Formerly the state church, it is the largest Christian denomination in Valkea, boasting more than 25 million members, and one of the larger Lutheran denominations in Lorecia. It is a member of the Astyrian Lutheran Federation.
The Church is part of the Lutheran branch of Christianity. The Primate of the Church of Valkea is the Archbishop of Kiesimä, currently Archbishop Juho Iivonen. The Church is divided into 12 dioceses, which are in turn divided into parishes that follow municipal boundaries.
History
Middle Ages
Due to its geographical location in Northern Lorecia, Christianity hadn't arrived in Valkea until the 11th century. Early efforts to introduce the new religion were led primarily by St. Arne, a monk from < place > who arrived in 1024. He established a church in Kallsö and remained as a missionary until 1027. He returned to Kallsö in 1035 to strengthen the church and conducted Christianization efforts on the mainland beginning in 1036. However, he was martyred in Taimo in 1041.
1134 is traditionally held as the year the Kingdom of Valkea was Christianized, when King Magnus III was baptized. Throughout his reign, numerous jarls had resisted his Christianization efforts, culminating at the Battle of Rautoja in 1143, where Magnus III was killed. In 1156, Kiesimä was established as the seat of the Valkean archbishop, where it remains to the present day.
However, despite a continued effort from the monarchy to spread Christianity throughout Valkea, many pagan religions continued to survive in the interior throughout the 12th century and beyond. Little was done to introduce the faith to the Lumika and the Velgi until Valkea's expansion northwards in the 15th century brought with it a series of military crusades.
Reformation
Dioceses and Bishops
The Church of Valkea is divided into 14 dioceses, each of which has a bishop and a cathedral chapter.
| Diocese | Seat | Cathedral | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Kiesimä | Kiesimä | Kiesimä Cathedral | 1156 |
| Diocese of Kallsö | Kallsö | Kallsö Cathedral | 1041 |
| Diocese of Limapaa | Limapaa | Limapaa Cathedral | 1083 |
| Diocese of Ervasti | Ervasti | Ervasti Cathedral | 1095 |
| Diocese of Kursalo | Kursalo | Kursalo Cathedral | 1170 |
| Diocese of Novika | Novika | Novika Cathedral | 1236 |
| Diocese of Rintalinna | Rintalinna | Rintalinna Cathedral | 1365 |
| Diocese of Mustakivi | Mustakivi | Mustakivi Cathedral | 1407 |
| Diocese of Sammaljoki | Sammaljoki | Sammaljoki Cathedral | 1543 |
| Diocese of Pikkala | Pikkala | Pikkala Cathedral | 1556 |
| Diocese of Kokousaali | Kokousaali | Kokousaali Cathedral | 1578 |
| Diocese of Källälivi | Källälivi | Källälivi Cathedral | 1713 |
| Diocese of Kiviperä | Kiviperä | Kiviperä Cathedral | 1863 |
| Diocese of Tuorlahti | Tuorlahti | Tuorlahti Cathedral | 1871 |
