The Laestadian movement (lestadiolaisuus in Finnish and Laestadianismen in Swedish) are a conservative Christian revival movement prominent mostly in Finland, Sweden, Norway and North America. The guideline of their faith is the Bible. Teachings of Martin Luther and the botanist and preacher Lars Levi Laestadius (1800-1861) are highly valued. Lestadius started the movement while being a pastor in the Church of Sweden in northern Sweden in the 1840s. He wanted that laestadians should be called only christians but others started to call themselves laestadians. Laestadians are among the biggest revival movements within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and the Church of Sweden. Due to various kinds of disagreements in the congregation, the movement has been split into several different factions. The biggest faction, Conservative Laestadians, arranged their annual Summer Services in Perho, Finland in 2005. Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament writings of his early followers. ... World map showing location of North America A satellite composite image of North America North America is a continent in the northern hemisphere, bounded on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west... The Bible (sometimes The Book or Good Book), from Greek (τα) βιβλια, (ta) biblia, (the) books, plural of βιβλιον, biblion, book, originally a diminutive of βιβλος, biblos, which in turn is derived from βυβλος—byblos, meaning papyrus, from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material), is the classical name for the... Luther at age 46 (Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1529) The Luther seal Martin Luther (November 10, 1483–February 18, 1546) was a German theologian, an Augustinian monk, and an ecclesiastical reformer whose teachings inspired the Reformation and deeply influenced the doctrines and culture of the Lutheran and Protestant traditions. ... Lars Levi Laestadius (1800-1861) Lars Levi Læstadius (October 1, 1800 - February 21, 1861) was a Swedish Lutheran pastor of Sami ancestry. ... 1800 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. ... The Church of Sweden, or Svenska kyrkan, is the national church of Sweden. ... Events and Trends Technology First use of anaesthesia in an operation, by Crawford Long War, peace and politics First signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) on February 6, 1840 at Waitangi New Zealand. ... The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is the Lutheran national church of Finland (The Finnish Orthodox Church is also recognized as a national church). ... The Church of Sweden, or Svenska kyrkan, is the national church of Sweden. ... Conservative Laestadianism is a more orthodox variant of laestadianism. ... Summer services flag row Summer services is a big religious meeting in Finland. ... Perho is a municipality of Finland. ... 2005(MMV) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Laestadians emphasize a Christian lifestyle. A precious tradition in the meetings is proclaiming the forgiveness of sins "in Jesus' name and blood" (in Finnish "Jeesuksen nimessä ja veressä"). Laestadians greet each other with "God's Peace" in English and in Finnish they say "Jumalan terve" (God's Greetings) for introductory greetings. As a departing greeting they say "Jumalan rauhaan" in Finnish and "God's Peace" in English.

Laestadians more often that not have larger families than non-laestadians. Child-counts of 15 to 20 are not uncommon. The average laestadian female gets her first child at the age of 18 and the last at when she is in her 70's.

The total number of members in the various Laestadian groups in different countries is a few hundred thousand.

See also

• Laestadian Lutheran Church (United States)
• Laestadianism in America

Laestadian Lutheran Church was organized on June 9, 1973 under the name Association of American Laestadian Congregations (AALC). ... The Laestadian church arrived in North America with Scandinavian (especially Finnish) immigrants in the latter half of the 19th century, many of whom arrived to work in the copper mines of the Keweenaw Peninsula. ...

Famous CP organisations in Vaasa with Laestadian members

• Vasanejdens CP-förening r.f.

Laestadian company Vasanejdens CP-förening r. ...

External links

• Conservative Laestadians in Finland
• History about Laestadianism in Finland
• American Laestadianism
• Preachers writings and letters