Samuel Lehtonen
Samuel Lehtonen (born February 3, 1921 in Helsinki , † August 20, 2010 ) was a bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland .
Lehtonen was born in Helsinki in 1921, the son of the future Bishop of Tampere, Aleksi Lehtonen . He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1946 and was ordained a priest in Turku that same year . In 1956 he received his theological license .
Lehtonen was pastor in the diocese of Helsinki for many years , among other things he was vicar in Tapiola from 1962 to 1982 . Between 1970 and 1989 he participated in the dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church in Finland.
In 1982 Lehtonen became bishop of Helsinki and held this office until his retirement in 1991. As bishop he ordained the first priestess in 1988, which was the first ordination of women in Finland.
The University of Helsinki awarded him an honorary doctorate in theology in 1980 .
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| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Lehtonen, Samuel |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Finnish Lutheran clergyman, Bishop of the Helsinki diocese |
| DATE OF BIRTH | February 3, 1921 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Helsinki |
| DATE OF DEATH | August 20, 2010 |