3462 FINLAND (North Karelia) - Bomban Orthodox prayer chapel in Nurmes

3462 Bomban Orthodox prayer chapel in Nurmes

Between 1977 and 1978, on the shore of lake Pielinen, about three kilometers from the center of the town of Nurmes, was erected the Bomba house, a copy (a little bigger) of a house build by Jegor Bombin in 1855 in Suojärvi. Suojärvi was part of the Karelian areas that Finland lost to Soviet Union in 1944 as a result of continuation war between the two countries, and Karelians were evacuated from the areas. A full Karelian village was built around the replica to supplement the atmosphere and the experience of the area.

Not far from the Karelian village, on the Path of Silence, is also an Orthodox tsasouna, a prayer chapel, dedicated to Sergius and Herman of Valaam. Inaugurated in the 1980s, it was drawn by Erkki Helasvuo, having as a model a tsasouna build in Ägläjärvi, which was also part of the areas lost to Soviet Union in 1944. The idea of the roadside chapels open to the public was adopted by the Finns from Germany, and the first ones opened in the early 1990s in Northern Finland. Since then, the idea has expanded to include all parts of Finland. Many Finns enjoy treating their summer guests to a visit at the chapel nearest their own home or cottage.

About the stamp
The stamp is part of the series Sound of Silence - Seasons of Finnish Nature, designed by Stiina Hovi and issued on February 24, 2017.
• Lake (International)
• Clouds (International) - It's on the postcard 3462
• Swans (International)

References
Bomba Area - visitkarelia.fi
Roadside churches in Finland - tiekirkot.fi

Sender: Anna Kaisa / Chiisi (postcrossing) FI-3666917
Sent from Juuka (North Karelia / Finland), on 04.03.2020