Private Secondary School Klasika Religion in Latvia By

Private Secondary School “Klasika” Religion in Latvia By 9 th B Form students: Germans Kornejevs, Dzmitrijs Ovcarovs, Nikita Klimovs, Timurs Arsalanovs. 2012/2013 School year

Latvia is a multi-confessional country. The three largest denominations are the Lutherans, the Orthodox and the Catholics. There about 170 different religious communities, but the number of their members is marginal. Nevertheless, 12% of the population consider themselves as non-believers.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia has 708, 773 members. The Latvian Orthodox Church is semi-autonomous and has 370, 000 members. Roman Catholicism in Latvia has 430, 000 members. Historically, the west and central parts of the country have been predominantly Protestant, while the east – particularly the Latgale region – has been predominantly Catholic. Orthodoxy predominates among the Latvian Russian population.

The most important church in Riga is the Dome Cathedral. It is the cathedral of the Latvian Evangelic Lutheran Archbishop and one of the most outstanding concert halls in the world. This spectacular building has a 90 meter high tower.

St. Anne’s Lutheran Church is the oldest Church in Liepaja. Behind the walls of this astonishing Gothic style building, visitors of this house of God will be amazed to see third largest organs in Latvia and a spectacular altar of the 17 th century.

St. Peter’s church - a Lutheran church. The highest tower in the Old Riga belongs to the St Peter’s Church. Till the World War II it was considered to be the highest wooden building in Europe (120. 7 m). Built in 1209, the Gothic style church has changed and suffered throughout the centuries not only from the fights, but also from the fires. The lighting has struck the tower of St Peter’s Church six times! Now the tower of the St. Peter’s Church rises 123. 25 m high. An in-built elevator takes the viewers on the view platform to the height of 72 meters.

St Jacob’s Church St Jacob’s Catholic Cathedral is located next to the Saeima – the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia. It was begun around 1225 in the early forms of the Gothic style.

Christ Cathedral Riga Nativity of Christ Cathedral is the most remarkable temple of God of the Latvian Orthodox Church. It is situated in the centre of Riga. It was built in 1876 - 1883. Interesting yellow brick façade, towers with domes and crosses, dramatic interior with shinning icons and other sacred objects, endless renovation works – this and more tells the rich history and times of struggle of Orthodox Church in Riga.

Religious life in Latvia has been unique for its centuries -old variety of religious beliefs with many branches functioning peacefully alongside one another. Latvia's own oldest religion is based in a belief of natural deities. These ancient traditions are preserved in Latvian folk songs and legends, as well as in festivals such as "Jani", which marks the summer solstice and is still a national holiday.

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