Field Devotional in the National Parade on the Independence Day in Kouvola on 6.12.2025

Field Devotional, Senior Military Chaplain of the Karelia Brigade Jarkko Lievonen

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the +Holy Spirit

To start with, an excerpt from The Book of Our Land by Zacharias Topelius, our national poet:

One morning I climbed up the ladder to the eave of our cottage roof. This opened my eyes to other cottages in the distance. And beyond our hayfield, the landscape seemed to abound in meadows, grainfields, winding roads, woods, and waterways. I knew that the world was wide, but I never thought it could be this wide. And, again, the thought came to mind that all this would be our land, our vast home.

Then I stepped down the ladder. And my mother said to me: please come sit down here next to me so that I can explain all this to you. This land that you see from here and much more is Finland. Before your father, this land was inhabited by your grandfather. And before him, by his father and forefathers, and they lived not only in this house but in a number of houses across the land. This land was theirs, and therefore this land is our Fatherland, the legacy inherited by us, their children.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the publishing of The Book of Our Land by Zacharias Topelius. Describing our land, our people, the Finnish way of life, and nature, Topelius often emphasises the sense of community and hard work. This land has been built on the sense of community and hard work. And the results of this work have been inherited by the following generations. The era that witnessed the original publishing of The Book of Our Land was very different from today but certain similarities can still be identified. 

On this Independence Day, we again take a moment to consider what made Finland into what it is today: free, peaceful, and supported by valuable and cherished traditions. For us, this day signals history and values that continue to support us in the direction of tomorrow.

Finnish core values – honesty, equality, independence, respect for nature, and sisu [the Finnish for grit, perseverance, courage, determination] – are built on the experiences and hard work of the previous generations. Also, Topelius describes these values aptly in The Book of Our Land:

The nation has faced major damage and destruction more than many other have – and yet it has lived, trusted and gotten to its feet again – so the people are patient, self-denying, and vigorous.

This description from 150 years back remains topical today. It is about people who are used to relying on their own work, counting on each other, and trusting that hardship will be followed by a better day. Topelius describes in The Book of Our Land also spirituality that brings solace and strength to many of us:

Therefore, this nation is of the type with deep and solemn fear of God. For a thousand years, the nation has constantly worked to clear and cultivate its land – thus the people are diligent and resolutely persevering.

This serves as a good reminder of how the Finnish mindset has always drawn from a deep inner stability – whether inspired by faith, hope, community, or nature and its peace. It is this type of silent trust and confidence that has reinforced and strengthened us through hardships and aided us in seeing the light also at times when the road has been rough. Strength has often been generated by cooperation.

Lasting values form the core of Finnish mental resilience, and are the reason that Finland is strong today – a land capable of facing the future with peace of mind. These values are worth adhering to both today and tomorrow.

Let us pray
Holy Almighty, merciful God. On this Independence Day, we thank You for our free and independent Finland, and for all those generations who have before us worked and prayed here.

We ask You to provide us with strength, wisdom and endurance to continue this legacy and fulfil our responsibility for the common good. This we pray in the name of our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hymn 577, verses 1-2