On October 29, 2023, the village of Chalna in Karelia celebrated its 75th anniversary. Deacon Anton Rudoi from the ELCIR was invited as a guest of honor to the celebration activities at the local community center. In his greetings, Deacon Anton noted that the Lutheran church has been serving the community for more than a third of the time the village has existed. He encouraged everyone to keep the hope for God’s help in whatever circumstances.Valentina Tadinen, a member of the Lutheran congregation in Chalna, received a letter of gratitude from Karelia’s Ministry of Ethnic and Regional Policy for her contribution to the village’s cultural life. Mrs. Tadinen was confirmed as a Lutheran in August 2023.
