Ambrose (Jaaskelainen) of Helsinki
His Beatitude the Most Reverend Metropolitan Ambrose of Helsinki. (Risto Jääskeläinen) was born in August 10th 1945 in Tohmajärvi in Finland.
Risto Jääskeläinen has studied theology at the University of Helsinki, and he has as well studied in the United States (1969, 1986-1988) Hungary (1969-1970), the United Kingdom (1971-1975), the Soviet Union 1979.worked at the Othodox Seminary 1969-1970.
1969-1970 Jääskeläinen worked at the Orthodox Seminary of Kuopio, and 1975-1976 at the University of Joensuu as the vice professor.
Risto Jääskeläinen was ordained monk, named Ambrose, hierodeacon and hieromonk in 1979 as a member of the brotherhood of the New Valaam Monastery in Heinävesi. At the New Valaam Monastery Ambrose was appointed the caretaker of economical business in 1977. In 1986 he recieved the title of archimandrite from the Archbishop Paul of Finland, and from 1986 to 1988 fr. Ambrose was the right hand of the heigumen of the Monastery, Archimandrite Panteleimon (nowadays His Beatitude the Most Reverend Metropolitan Panteleimon of Oulu).
In 1988 Ambrose was chosen to the post of the Bishop of Joensuu, and was ordinated to this post by Archbishop John of Finland, Metropolitan Tikhon of Helsinki and Metropolitan Leo of Oulu. 1996-2002 Ambrose was the Metropolitan of Oulu, and in 2002 he was appointed to the post of Metropolitan of Helsinki.
Besides his great efforts in ecumenical work Metropolitan Ambrose is as well one of the leading members of the board of directors of Tulikivi Corp. and an important member of the local Masonic Lodge.
Metropolitan Ambrose has written many theological writings, including ’Pyhyyden kaipaus’ (1999) and ’Etsijän tie’ (2001), and published several books concerning ecclesical history and ecumenical relations.
