With some changes and adaptations, conferment ceremonies have been part of Finnish academic traditions throughout the centuries. It is rare for any festive ceremony to remain largely unchanged since the early days of its inception. Conferment ceremonies are indeed a prime example of truly well-preserved intangible cultural heritage. The tradition of confirming master’s degrees was added to the Finnish National Inventory of Living Heritage in 2017.
Conferment ceremonies date back to the Middle Ages: The universities of Bologna and Paris held such ceremonies as early as the 13th century. At the University of Helsinki, formerly the Academy of Turku from 1640 to 1827 and the Imperial Alexander University of Finland from 1827 to 1918, the practice of holding conferment ceremonies was established early, as the first ceremonial conferment of degrees was held by the Faculty of Philosophy in 1643, only three years after the founding of the Academy. Since then, the tradition has continued almost uninterrupted and has been adopted by other faculties and universities. The conferment ceremony of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Helsinki continues to be the largest such ceremony in Finland.
At the Academy of Turku, the conferment ceremonies of the Faculty of Philosophy were celebrated in an almost unchanged manner as one-day events for conferring only master’s degrees until the early 19th century. The ceremony began with a get-together at the conferrer’s home, from where the graduands walked in a procession to the Academy building to be conferred with their degrees by the conferrer. Many features of present-day conferment ceremonies, such as processions and the ceremonial question presented to the highest ranking master graduand, were already present in these early ceremonies. The symbolism related to conferment ceremonies has also been preserved unchanged throughout the centuries. For instance, the laurel wreath served as the symbol of the achievements of master’s graduates already in the 18th century. Likewise, the ceremony itself continues to start with the conferrer’s speech and end with the speech by the second highest ranking graduand. The conferment festivities included three events: the ceremony of conferring degrees, a church service and a banquet. The Academy operated in modest settings and degrees were conferred on men only.
In the 19th century, the University played a central role in society with conferment ceremonies and other academic festivities being almost the only public celebrations in the Grand Duchy of Finland. These festivities offered the political elite and educated class an opportunity to get together at a time of underdeveloped media and long distances. Consequently, conferment ceremonies had great social and national significance. In the course of the 19th century, the conferment ceremony traditions acquired many features that have survived to date, such as the conferment of jubilee masters and the conferment of doctoral degrees at the same ceremony with the conferment of master’s degrees. In the 1850s singing the national anthem of Finland became an established part of the ceremonies, and in the 1870s, the duration of the celebrations stretched to three or four days. New events were added, such as the conferment ball in the 1880s, when a perfect venue became available with the completion of a new student building (today known as the Old Student House). This also meant that conferment ceremonies attracted more participants and evolved into grand social events. The history of these ceremonies is well known because the press covered them extensively.
Specifically Finnish features
Gradually the practice of conferring master’s degrees at conferment ceremonies died out in other countries while in Finland the festivities developed features of their own. One uniquely Finnish speciality is the selection of the ceremonial or official wreath weaver (originally wreath weaveress). Master's conferment ceremonies in Helsinki were already seen in the 1840s as a Finnish tradition that strengthened Finnish national identity. At the same time, master's conferment ceremonies had already disappeared from universities in many other countries, but in Finland, the academic conferment festivities and their symbols were associated with patriotism and therefore preserved. During the Faculty of Philosophy's 1850 conferment ceremony, the song Vårt land ("Our Land") was sung at the end of the conferment act for the first time, becoming an established part of the conferment programme. At the same time, because of the nationalistic spirit, the whole tradition was threatened by the tense relations between the Russian regime and the Finns. In fact, the arrangement of conferment ceremonies was possible only with the consent of the Russian Emperor.
Once Finland became independent, the tradition could continue uninterrupted. The first ceremonial conferment of degrees in the newly independent Finland took place in 1919. After the Second World War, there was an altogether 14-year break in arranging conferment ceremonies; the previous break of equal duration goes back to the 18th century and the time of the Great Northern War. After such a long pause the arrangements proved challenging, for the many minute details of the ceremony were almost forgotten. This gave rise to the practice of putting together a commemorative publication of each conferment ceremony held. In the 1970s the conferment of degrees was considered old-fashioned and elitist, and the ceremonies became more low-key. However, in the 1980s attitudes changed, and conferment ceremonies rose to new heights in popularity.
Conferment ceremonies have their roots in European academic traditions, but developed into a specifically Finnish cultural phenomenon. Throughout the centuries, it has been agreed that celebrating the achievements of master's and doctoral graduates in a splendid manner is part and parcel of academic life. The tradition of conferment ceremonies has been considered to be a valuable component of Finnish academia, retaining its vigour even through difficult times. Yet, the tradition has evolved in new directions as each ceremony and its organising committee have attempted to add a new touch to the centuries-old ritual.
The Faculty of Theology was originally one of the University’s higher faculties, and incoming students had already been conferred the degree of Master of Philosophy. For this reason, the Faculty of Theology has traditionally conferred only doctors. As a symbol of their academic degree, they receive a purple doctoral hat and a diploma. The doctoral sword is not among the insignia of Doctors of Theology. The Faculty’s doctoral hat is today purple, whereas until 1967 it was, like in most other faculties, black.
The Faculty of Theology held its first Conferment Ceremony in 1648, when Professor Eskil Petraeus conferred Johannes Elai Terserus as Doctor of Theology. However, Finnish theologians had already been conferred abroad before this. Professors of the Royal Academy of Turku and bishops from the Finnish region were also awarded theological doctorates at other universities within the Kingdom of Sweden, and by the 18th century it had become customary to receive the Doctor of Theology degree in Uppsala from the Archbishop. The degree of Doctor of Theology was a distinction granted by the monarch in recognition of ecclesiastical merit or other services to the Crown and, according to the statutes, could not be bestowed upon those who actively sought it. During the Swedish rule, bishops, professors of theology, and distinguished parish priests were conferred as Doctors of Theology.
In 1740, the centenary of the Academy of Turku also influenced the form of the theological Conferment Ceremony. As in the inauguration of the University a century earlier, the centre of the academic celebration was Turku Cathedral. According to the statutes, theological conferment ceremonies were to be held in the Cathedral, while the faculties of the secular sciences held theirs in the Academy Building. There were as many as three graduands, and for the first time, primus and ultimus doctors could be appointed.
With the statutes of 1828, the Faculty gained the right to award the degree of Doctor of Theology on academic grounds, that is, by dissertation. At the end of the 19th century, an imperial decree made it possible to grant theological doctorates to those who had completed a dissertation even without a formal conferment. The Faculty of Theology has awarded doctorates in solemn ceremonial Conferment Ceremonies, in formal faculty sessions, and in the form of a conferment document proclaimed by the Conferrer. Those appointed or promulgated by the King or Emperor were also able to participate later in the ceremonial conferment.
In 1907, theologians and medical graduates held a joint conferment. The medical conferment was conducted in Swedish, while the theologians were conferred for the first time in Finnish. In the same year, under the new regulations, the Faculty of Theology also appointed honorary doctors for the first time. Before this, similar honours had been granted by the Emperor and the Faculty as doctorates in theology without a dissertation. The first international honorary doctors were invited to the Faculty’s Conferment Ceremony in 1948.
In 1964, a legislative reform made it possible to award the degree of Master of Theology in the Faculty. This meant that students could now graduate directly as Masters instead of Licentiates. The master’s insignia was established as the theologian’s ring, modelled after the master’s ring of the Faculty of Philosophy, but the laurel wreath—a symbol of classical pagan culture—was not adopted. In the 1967 Conferment Ceremony of Theology, a separate part was devoted to the presentation of theologians’ rings to the new Masters of Theology. In place of the Official Wreath Weaver chosen by the master graduands of the Faculty of Philosophy, the theology graduands selected the daughter of a professor from the Faculty as the Ring Maiden. Similar roles had already appeared in the conferment ceremonies of the Faculties of Economics and Forestry. In Theology, however, the 1967 ceremony remained the only conferment of rings for Masters of Theology, as the tradition faced a period of decline in the 1970s when university ceremonies were increasingly criticised as outdated.
In 2023, Finland celebrated the centenary of the Freedom of Religion Act. Inspired by this milestone, the theme of the Faculty of Theology’s Conferment Ceremony was Freedom. The theme encompassed freedom of religion, human rights, and the state of the world—topics that were reflected in the selection of honorary doctors and the speeches held during the various stages of the ceremony.
In 2024–2025, the Faculty has been discussing the possibility of introducing the conferment of master’s degrees.
The solemn Conferment Ceremonies of the Faculty of Theology and other corresponding occasions on which the doctoral degree has been conferred under a designated Conferrer are listed here. Professors of the Royal Academy of Turku and bishops from the Finnish region were also awarded doctorates in theology at other universities within the Kingdom of Sweden, and particularly in the 18th century it became customary to receive the degree of Doctor of Theology in Uppsala from the Archbishop. The title of Doctor of Theology was a distinction granted by the monarch as a mark of honour for holding an eminent ecclesiastical office or for other services rendered to the realm, and, according to the statutes, it could not be awarded to those who actively sought it. During the Swedish rule, bishops, professors of theology, and distinguished parish priests were thus conferred as Doctors of Theology.
The right to award the Doctor of Theology degree on academic grounds, that is, by means of a dissertation, was granted to the Faculty of Theology under the statutes of 1828. By an imperial decree issued at the end of the 19th century, it also became possible to grant the degree of Doctor of Theology to those who had completed a dissertation without a formal Conferment Ceremony. The Faculty of Theology has conferred doctoral degrees in solemn ceremonial Conferment Ceremonies, in formal faculty sessions, and in the form of a Conferment Book promulgated by the Conferrer. Those appointed or promulgated by the King or Emperor were also later entitled to participate in the ceremonial conferment.
1. 16.5.1648
2. 15.6.1660
3. 19.6.1661
4. 27.6.1665
5. 21.6.1666
6. 11.6.1676
7. 1.5.1689
8. 3.7.1690
9. 30.5.1693
10. 14.10.1702
11. 14.6.1703
12. 8.5.1733
13. 15.7.1740
14. 15.6.1818
15. 24.12.1827
16. 25.6.1831 (the first Conferment Ceremony of the Imperial Alexander University of Finland)
17. 16.7.1840
18. 18.12.1856
19. 28.5.1857
20. 10.11.1857
21. 10.8.1864
22. 30.5.1907
23. 30.5.1908
24. 22.12.1910
25. 26.4.1919
26. 31.5.1923
27. 4.9.1940 (University of Helsinki 300 years)
28. 31.10.1942 (Festive session in honour of the 300th anniversary of the Finnish-language Bible)
29. 14.10.1948 (Festive session in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the Finnish translation of the New Testament)
30. 17.5.1955 (In honour of the 800th anniversary of the First Crusade and the introduction of Christianity to Finland)
31. 29.5.1957 (Festive session featuring three Jubilee Doctors)
32. 29.7.1963 (Held concurrently with the Congress of the Lutheran World Federation)
33. 2.11.1967 (The 450th anniversary of the Reformation and the 50th anniversary of Finland’s independence)
34. 17.12.1973
35. 2.11.1976
36. 31.10.1980
37. 11.11.1983
38. 16.11.1990 (University of Helsinki 350 years)
39. 23.5.1997
40. 19.5.2000
41. 13.5.2005
42. 27.5.2011
43. 9.6.2017
44. 9.6.2023
1648 Eskill Petraeus, Professor of Theology I
1660 Johannes Elai Terserus, Bishop of Turku and Vice-Chancellor of the Academy
1661 Georg Alanus, Professor of Theology I
1665 Johannes Gezelius the Elder, Bishop of Turku and Vice-Chancellor of the Academy
1666 Enevaldus Svenonius, Professor of Theology I
1676 Petrus Bång, Professor of Theology II
1689 Johannes Gezelius the Elder, Bishop of Turku and Vice-Chancellor of the Academy
1690 Jakob Flachsenius, Professor of Theology I
1693 Petrus Laurbecchius, Professor of Theology II
1702 Johan Flachsenius, Professor of Theology I
1703 David Lund, Professor of Theology II
1733 Lars Tammelin the Younger, Bishop of Turku and Vice-Chancellor of the Academy
1740 Jonas Fahlenius, Bishop of Turku and Vice-Chancellor of the Academy
1818 Jacob Tengström, Archbishop of Turku and Finland
1827 Jacob Tengström, Archbishop of Turku and Finland
1832 Jacob Tengström, Archbishop of Turku and Finland
1840 Gustaf Gadolin, Professor Emeritus of Theology I, by decree of the Chancellor
1856 Carl Gustaf Ottelin, Bishop of Porvoo
1857 Bengt Olof Lille, Professor of Church History
1857 Frans Ludvig Schauman, Professor of Practical Theology
1864 Edvard Bergenheim, Archbishop of Turku and Finland
1907 Georg Gustaf Rosenqvist, Professor of Dogmatics and Moral Philosophy
1908 Georg Gustaf Rosenqvist, Professor of Dogmatics and Moral Philosophy
1910 Georg Gustaf Rosenqvist, Professor of Dogmatics and Moral Philosophy
1919 Jaakko Gummerus, Professor of Church History
1923 Sten Edvard Stenij, Professor of New Testament Exegesis
1940 Antti Filemon Puukko, Professor of Old Testament Exegesis
1942 Antti Filemon Puukko, Professor of Old Testament Exegesis
1948 Yrjö Jaakko Edvin Alanen, Professor of Theological Ethics and Philosophy of Religion
1955 Yrjö Jaakko Edvin Alanen, Professor of Theological Ethics and Philosophy of Religion
1957 Osmo Antero Tiililä, Professor of Dogmatics
1963 Leevi Aarre Samuel Lauha, Professor of Old Testament Exegesis
1967 Aimo Tauno Nikolainen, Professor of New Testament Exegesis
1973 Lauri Robert Haikola, Professor of Theological Ethics and Philosophy of Religion
1976 Kauko Antero Pirinen, Professor of Church History
1980 Kaarlo Osmo Ilmari Soisalon-Soininen, Professor of Old Testament Exegesis
1983 Martti Parvio, Professor of Practical Theology
1990 Kalevi Reino Tamminen, Professor of Practical Theology, particularly Religious Education
1997 Simo Kaarle Matias Heininen, Professor of General Church History
2000 Heikki Martti Räisänen, Professor of New Testament Exegesis
2005 Simo Jussi Iisakki Knuuttila, Professor of Theological Ethics and Philosophy of Religion
2011 Markku Kaarlo Juhani Heikkilä, Professor of Practical Theology
2017 Aila Marjatta Lauha (née Koivisto), Professor of Church History
2023 Martti Heikki Nissinen, Professor of Old Testament Exegesis
1648 Johannes Elai Terserus
1660 Georg Alanus
1661 Enevaldus Svenonius
1665 Abraham Thauvonius
1666 Petrus Bång
1676 Johannes Gezelius the younger
1689 Jakob Flachsenius
1690 Jakob Lang
1693 Johan Flachsenius
1702 David Lund
1703 Johannes Rungius
1733 Anders Bergius
1740 Johan Wallenius
1818 Gustaf Gadolin
1840 Benjamin Frosterus
1857 Axel Fredrik Granfelt
1907 Jaakko Gummerus
1923 Max Oskar von Bonsdorff
1955 Mikko Juva
1963 Pentti Lempiäinen
1967 Kauko Tamminen
1980 Raija Tellervo Sollamo
1990 Risto Saarinen
1997 Ismo Dunderberg
2000 Jussi Nuorteva
2005 Anne Pessi
2011 Minna Hietamäki
2017 Aappo Laitinen
2023 Tero Alstola
1689 Petrus Laurbecchius
1740 Johan Browallius
1818 Jacob Bonsdorff
1840 Robert Waldemar Frosterus
1857 Samuel Johan Gustaf Smalén
1907 Arthur Ludvig Mikael Hjelt
1923 Aleksi Lehtonen
1955 Yrjö Massa
1963 Ivar Pöhl
1967 Lauri Koskenniemi
1980 Seppo Salminen
1990 Kari Syreeni
1997 Jaana Hallamaa
2000 Tapio Luoma
2005 Kalle Kukkonen
2011 Valdemar Kallunki
2017 Nina Nikki
2023 Petra Kuivala
1818 Johan Adam Edman, Pastor of the Theological Seminary and Assistant in Theology
1840 Germund Fredrik Aminoff, Adjunct in Theoretical and Practical Philosophy
1857 Bengt Olof Lille, Conferrer, Professor of Church History
1907 Karl Adolf Appelberg, Professor of Practical Theology
1923 Martti Ruuth, Professor of Church History
1980 Eero Repo, Acting Professor of Exegesis
1990 Tuomo Mannermaa, Professor of Ecumenics
1997 Heikki Räisänen, Professor of New Testament Exegesis
2000 Simo Heininen, Professor of General Church History
2005 Eila Helander, Professor of Sociology of Religion
2011 Risto Saarinen, Professor of Ecumenics
2017 Mikko Ketola, Docent of Church History
2023 Jutta Jokiranta, Professor of Hebrew Bible and Cognate Studies
1955 Erkki Kansanaho, Acting Professor of Practical Theology
1963 Dr Martti Parvio, Docent of Finnish and Scandinavian Church History
1980 Pentti Laasonen, Acting Professor of Church History
1990 Eero Huovinen, Professor of Dogmatics
1997 Eeva Martikainen, Personal Professor of Contemporary Theology
2000 Aila Lauha, Professor of Church History
2005 Ismo Dunderberg, Acting Professor of New Testament Exegesis
2011 Anne Birgitta Pessi, Docent of Sociology of Religion
2017 Outi Lehtipuu, Docent of New Testament Exegesis
2023 Tuomas Heikkilä, Professor of Church History
1963 Yrjö Massa, ThD, Military Chaplain of the Finnish Air Force
1980 Pekka Halmesmaa, Docent of Church History
1983 Eero Huovinen, Assistant Professor of Dogmatics
1990 Eeva Martikainen, Docent of Ecumenics
1997 Markku Pyysiäinen, University Lecturer in Religious Education
2000 Hannu Mustakallio, Docent of Church History
2005 Virpi Mäkinen, Docent of Systematic Theology
2011 Mikko Ketola, Docent of General Church History
2017 Heikki Pesonen, University Lecturer in the Study of Religions
2023 Auli Vähäkangas, ThD, Professor of Pastoral Theology
1840 Fredrik Joakim Ekman, PhD, Senior Lecturer in Roman Language and Literature at the Viipuri Gymnasium
1857 Frans Ludvig Schauman, Professor of Practical Theology
1955 Osmo Tiililä, Professor of Dogmatics
1963 Erkki Kansanaho, Professor of Practical Theology
1980 Martti Simojoki, Archbishop of Turku and Finland
1990 Mikko Juva, Archbishop of Turku and Finland
1997 Eero Huovinen, Bishop of Helsinki
2000 Jukka Paarma, Archbishop of Turku and Finland
2005 Eero Huovinen, Bishop of Helsinki
2011 Simo Peura, Bishop of Lapua
2017 Kari Mäkinen, Archbishop of Turku and Finland
2023 Tapio Luoma, Archbishop of Turku and Finland
1857
Work: Te Deum
Composer: Sigismund von Neukomm
1990 and 2011
Work: Jacob’s Dream (Jaakobin uni)
Composer: Harri Viitanen
Additional information: World premiere. In 2011 performed by the chamber orchestra Vox Artis and the Tapiola Chamber Choir.
2000
Work: CCCX
Composer: Jaakko Mäntyjärvi
Lyricist: Anders Achrenius, Finnish translation by Wilhelmi Malmivaara
Performer: Tapiola Chamber Choir
Additional information: World premiere at the conferment church service.
2005
Work: Introitus et Kyrie Missae Sancti Henrici
Composer: Jaakko Mäntyjärvi
Lyricist: –
Performer: Tapiola Chamber Choir
Additional information: World premiere.
In 1907, the Faculty of Theology appointed honorary doctors for the first time under the new regulations. Previously, similar distinctions had been the doctoral degrees in theology granted by the Emperor and the Faculty without a dissertation.
30 May 1907
Johan Antero Cederberg, Parish Vicar of Tohmajärvi, Rural Dean.
Johannes Gottfried Glöckner, PhD, Pastor of the German Congregation in Helsinki.
Juuso Hedberg, Dean of Turku Cathedral.
Vilhelm Teodor Rosenqvist, Counsellor of Education, Principal of the Swedish Normal Lyceum in Helsinki.
Johannes Schwartzberg, Dean of Kuopio Cathedral.
Sten Edvard Stenij, PhD, Professor of New Testament Exegesis.
31 May 1923
Isak August Björklund, Parish Vicar of Mustasaari, Rural Dean, Author.
Kustavi Grotenfelt, PhD, Associate Professor of Nordic History.
Lauri Arvid Itkonen, Parish Vicar of Vihti, Dean.
Juho Abraham Mannermaa, Bishop of Oulu.
Aukusti Alfred Oravala, Parish Vicar of Vihti, Author.
Lars Hugo Sandelin, Parish Vicar of Aitolahti, Principal of Pori Lyceum.
10 October 1925
Toivo Kustaa Waltari, Pastor, Author, and Director of the Seamen’s Mission.
Martti Rautanen, Missionary in Namibia.
15 July 1927
Sigfrid Selim Sigismund Sirenius, Pastor, Founder of the Finnish Settlement Movement and Director of the Evangelical Society for Industrial Areas.
31 October 1932
Matti Tarkkanen, Pastor, Director of the Finnish Missionary Society.
31 October 1942
Otto Manninen, University Lecturer, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy, Professor.
Kaarle Jalmari Jaakkola, PhD, Professor of Finnish History.
Aarno Henrik Maliniemi, PhD, Professor of Church History.
Antti William Kuusisto, Dean of Savonlinna Cathedral, Pastor of the Northern Finnish Parish of Helsinki.
Kaarle Heikki Seppälä, Dean of Tampere Cathedral.
Kaarlo Olavi Kares, Bishop of Kuopio.
Kaarlo Edward Österbladh, PhD, Keeper of the Turku Provincial Archives, Docent at the University of Turku.
10 October 1945
Edvin Johannes Wirén, Pastor and Author, Director of the Deaconess Institute.
Väinö Rafael Malmivaara, Bishop of Oulu.
14 February 1947
Heikki Valentin Klemetti, Composer and Developer of Finnish Choral Music.
14 October 1948
Isaac David Bien, Pastor of Christina Parish, Gothenburg, Court Chaplain, Sweden.
Carl Olof Jonatan Norborg, Pastor of Munkedal, Sweden.
Lorentz Peter Fabricius, Pastor of Charlottenlund, Denmark.
Alfred Theodor Jörgensen, ThD, Copenhagen, Denmark.
17 May 1955
Eino Johannes Ahla, President of the Supreme Administrative Court.
Väinö Ilmari Forsman, ThL, Parish Vicar of Töölö, Dean.
Leo Benedict Gummerus, Parish Vicar of Lappee, Rural Dean.
Olavi Konstantin Heliövaara, Bishop of Oulu.
Aapeli Erhard Jokipii, Parish Vicar of Rauma, Rural Dean.
Bengt Ivar Johannes Jonzon, Bishop of Luleå, Sweden.
Taito Almar Kantonen, Professor of Systematic Theology, Springfield, Ohio, United States.
Ilmari Henrik Reinhold Krohn, Associate Professor of Musicology.
Hjalmar Abraham Paunu, Parish Vicar of Jyväskylä, Rural Dean.
Hilding Athanasius Pleijel, Professor of Church History, Lund, Sweden.
Lauri Henrik Pohjanpää, Lecturer, Dean, Author, and Poet.
29 July 1963
Franklin Clark Fry, President of the Lutheran Church in America, United States.
Jan Kiivit Sr., Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tallinn, Estonia.
Friedrich-Wilhelm Krummacher, Bishop of the Evangelical Church of Pomerania, Greifswald, Germany.
Hanns Lilje, Bishop of Hanover, Germany.
Anders Theodor Samuel Nygren, Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Lund; Bishop of Lund, Sweden.
Kauko Antero Pirinen, PhD, Professor of General Church History.
Kristen Ejner Skydsgaard, Professor of Dogmatics, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Leonard Pietari (Pekka) Tapaninen, Bishop of Oulu.
Zoltán György Túróczy, Lutheran Bishop, Hungary.
Raymond Waldemar Wargelin, President of the Finnish-American Synod, Area Secretary of the Lutheran Church in America.
Henrik Erland Sihvonen, Dean, Director of the Shekou Seminary, China.
2 November 1967
Leonard Auala, Bishop of the Ambo-Kavango Evangelical Lutheran Church, Namibia.
Tuomo Antero Itkonen, Honorary Doctor of Theology, Director of the Sámi Christian Folk College, Dean.
Matti Heikki Sakari Joensuu, Secretary of the Church’s Family Affairs Committee, Dean.
Chitose Kishi, Leader of the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, Japan.
Sven Gottlieb Kjöllerström, Professor of Practical Theology, University of Lund, Sweden.
Emil Koren, Pastor of the Fasor Lutheran Congregation in Budapest, Rural Dean.
Taneli Kuusisto, Professor, Rector of the Sibelius Academy.
Eero Johannes Lehtinen, ThL, Bishop of Lapua.
Archbishop Paavali, Archbishop of the Orthodox Church of Finland.
Martti Olavi Rapola, PhD, Professor of Finnish Language.
Wolfgang Trillhaas, Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Göttingen, Germany.
Heikki Tapio Waris, PhD, Professor of Social Policy, Academician.
17 December 1973
Jussi Taneli Aro, Professor of Semitic Languages.
Jaakko Antero Haavio, Parish Vicar of Maaria, Dean, Poet.
Aili Lemmikki Havas, Head of the Finnish Missionary Society’s Mission Field in Israel.
Olli Heilimo, Parish Vicar of Hämeenlinna, Rural Dean.
André Marcel Pierre Lemaire, ThL, O.P., Prior of a Monastery, Paris, France.
Niilo Viktor Syvänne, Chief Hospital Chaplain of the Helsinki Congregations, Dean.
2 November 1976
Sven Lucien Marcel Gustav Göransson, Professor of Church History, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Mauno Olavi Karttunen, Counsellor of Education, National Board of Education.
Irja Inkeri Kilpeläinen, Supervisor of Hospital Chaplaincy in Helsinki, Author.
Yrjö Johannes Knuuttila, ThL, Lecturer in Practical Theology.
Heikki Kustaa Johannes Koskenniemi, PhD, Professor of Classical Philology, University of Turku.
Toivo Ilmari Palo, ThL, Secretary-General of the Church’s Social Affairs Committee.
31 October 1980
Åke Andrén, Professor of Practical Theology, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Haralds Teodors Biezais, Professor of History of Religions, Åbo Akademi.
Gert Haendler, Professor of Church History, University of Rostock, Germany.
Robert Erich Hanhart, Professor of Exegesis, University of Göttingen, Germany.
Kustaa Aleksi Samuel Lehtonen, ThL, Bishop of Helsinki.
Anna-Maija Nieminen (née Raittila), Lic.Theol., Author.
Erkki Olavi Niinivaara, ThL, Professor, Parish Vicar of Meilahti, Helsinki.
Regin Prenter, Professor of Dogmatics, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
Lars Erik Taxell, Lic.Jur., Professor of Law, Åbo Akademi.
11 November 1983
Edgar Hark, Archbishop of Estonia, Tallinn, Estonia.
Ernst-Rüdiger Ludwig Helmut Kiesow, Professor of Practical Theology, Vice-Rector of the University of Rostock, Germany.
Peter Manns, Director of the Institute of European History, Mainz, Germany.
Väinö Juhani (Jukka) Malmivaara, Lieutenant Colonel, Bishop of Kuopio.
Tove Riska, Master of Philosophy, Researcher, National Board of Antiquities.
16 November 1990
Kleopas Dumeni, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia, Namibia.
Leif Grane, Professor of Church and Dogma History, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Joachim Heubach, Regional Bishop of Schaumburg-Lippe, Germany.
Esko Antero Häkli, Chief Librarian of the University of Helsinki, Professor.
Joonas Kokkonen, Composer, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy, Professor, Member of the Finnish Academy.
Fairy von Lilienfeld, Professor of Eastern Churches and Theology, University of Erlangen, Germany.
Karl Ernst Nipkow, PhD, Professor of Practical Theology (Religious Education), University of Tübingen, Germany.
Lothar Perlitt, Professor of Old Testament Exegesis, University of Göttingen, Germany.
Lars Karl Johan Pettersson, PhD, Professor of Art History, University of Helsinki.
Ed Parish Sanders, Professor of Exegesis, United States.
Bengt Sundkler, Professor of Church and Mission History, Bishop, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Juho (Jussi) Alfred Tenkku, PhD, Professor of Practical Philosophy, University of Helsinki.
Jacobus Diederik Jan Waardenburg, Professor of Comparative Religion, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
Johannes Wallmann, Professor of Church History, University of Bochum, Germany.
23 May 1997
James Barr, Professor Emeritus of Hebrew, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Antoinette (Anne) Fried, Author, New York, United States.
Åke Gunnar Birger Hultkrantz, Professor of Comparative Religion, United States and South Africa.
Aune Eeva Hildur Jääskinen, Docent of Art History, University of Helsinki, Professor.
Jaan Kiivit Jr., Archbishop of Estonia, Tallinn, Estonia.
Ingun Margaretha Montgomery, Professor of Church History, University of Oslo, Norway.
Paavo Olavi Rintala, Author.
Horst Schwebel, Professor of Practical Theology, University of Marburg, Germany.
19 May 2000
Pilar María Aquino Vargas, Professor, University of San Diego, United States.
Inga-Brita Ulrika Elisabet Castrén, Secretary General of the Finnish Ecumenical Council.
David Martin, Professor Emeritus, London School of Economics, London, United Kingdom.
Lauri (Lassi) Juhani Yrjönpoika Nummi, Author and Poet.
Krister Stendahl, Professor Emeritus, Harvard University, United States; Bishop Emeritus of Stockholm, Sweden.
13 May 2005
Anna Marie Aagaard, Professor Emerita, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
Stephen F. Brown, Professor, Boston College, United States.
Walter Dietrich, Professor of Old Testament, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Juha Ilmari Leiviskä, Architect, Academician.
Fritz Oser, Professor of Education, University of Fribourg, Switzerland.
Heikki Väinö Kaleva Palva, Professor Emeritus of Arabic Language, University of Helsinki.
Anna Helena Perälä, Librarian, The Society of Swedish Literature in Finland.
Michael Pye, Professor of Religious Studies, University of Marburg, Germany.
Shengjie Cao, President of the China Christian Council, China.
27 May 2011
Metropolitan Ambrosius, Orthodox Church of Finland.
Seikko Aarne Väinämö Eskola, Assistant Professor of General History, University of Tampere; Vice-Chair of the Church Council.
Lars Hartman, Professor of New Testament Exegesis, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Danièle Hervieu-Léger, Researcher in Sociology of Religion, Director of the École des hautes études en sciences sociales, France.
Soile Isokoski, Chamber Singer, Opera Singer.
Morny Joy, Professor of Classical Philology and Religious Studies, University of Calgary, Canada.
Karen L. King, Professor of Church History, Harvard University, United States.
Gordon W. Lathrop, Professor of Liturgics, Yale University, United States.
Alex Malasusa, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, PhD.
John Marenbon, PhD, Researcher of Medieval Philosophy and Theology, Trinity College, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
9 June 2017
Irja Askola, Bishop of Helsinki, Author.
Christine Helmer, Professor of German, Northwestern University, United States.
Kim Knott, Professor of Religious Studies, Lancaster University, United Kingdom.
Hartmut Lehmann, Professor of Modern German History, University of Kiel, Germany.
Christoph Levin, Professor of Old Testament Theology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany.
Vello Salo, Professor of Exegesis, University of Tartu, Estonia. Monsignor Salo could not attend the Conferment Act held on 9 June and was therefore conferred absens, i.e. in absentia. On Thursday, 22 June 2017, a celebration was held at Pirita Convent in Estonia, where Professor Risto Saarinen presented Salo with the doctoral hat and diploma on behalf of the Faculty of Theology.
Friedrich Schweitzer, Professor of Practical Theology and Religious Education, University of Tübingen, Germany.
9 June 2023
Riho Altnurme, Professor of Church History, University of Tartu, Estonia.
Annabel Brett, Professor of Political Thought and History, University of Cambridge, England, United Kingdom.
Grace Davie, Professor Emerita of Sociology, University of Exeter, England, United Kingdom.
Philip Esler, Professor of New Testament Exegesis, University of Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom.
Maria Immonen, Director of World Service, Lutheran World Federation.
Mia Lövheim, Professor of Sociology of Religion, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Greta Thunberg, Public Advocate and Climate Activist, Sweden.
Munib Younan, Bishop Emeritus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.
In 1964, a legislative reform made it possible for the Faculty of Theology to award the degree of Master of Theology. As a result, students could now graduate directly as Masters instead of Licentiates. The symbol of the Master of Theology was established as the theologian’s ring, modelled after the master’s ring of the Faculty of Philosophy. However, the laurel wreath — a product of classical pagan culture — was not adopted for theological masters.
At the 1967 Conferment Ceremony of Theology, a separate part of the festivities was devoted to the presentation of theologians’ rings to the newly graduated Masters of Theology. In place of the Official Wreath Weaver chosen by the master graduands of the Faculty of Philosophy, the theology graduands selected the daughter of a professor from the Faculty as the Ring Maiden. Similar roles had already appeared in the conferment ceremonies of the Faculties of Economics and Forestry.
In the Faculty of Theology, however, the year 1967 remained the only occasion on which rings were presented to masters, as the tradition faced a period of decline in the 1970s when universities became increasingly critical of academic ceremonial traditions.
1967 Lea Nikolainen
In the 17th century, it was customary for several individuals to compose congratulatory poems in different languages for the graduand, which were then printed together in a single gratulatio booklet. Sometimes all congratulations were published in the same volume, while in other cases different groups of authors produced their own separate booklets. The Conferment Ceremonies for Doctors of Theology in Turku, along with the tradition of congratulatory poetry, did not survive the Great Northern War and the subsequent evacuation of the Academy to Stockholm during the Greater Wrath; both traditions experienced a long interruption throughout the 18th century.
1648 – Gratulationes viro plurimum reverendo [et] clarissimo...
Joint congratulation by the entire Academy staff to Johannes Elai Terserus.
1660 – Votivae congratulationes...
Congratulations to Georg Alanus by Johannes Georgii Alanus, Edvardus Andreae Razelius, Christophorus Georgii Alanus, and Nils Göransson Alanus.
1660 – Votivae congratulationes, quibus...
Congratulations to Georgius Christophorus Alanus by Petrus Andreae Bergius, Michael Olai Gyldenstolpe, Martinus Henrici Stodius, Simon Svenonis Kexlerus, Abrahamus Georgii Thauvonius, Enevaldus Svenonis Svenonius, and others from the Academy staff.
1660 – Plausus pierius in laurum doctoratus...
Congratulations to Georgius Alanus by Henrik Johansson Jäherhorn, Johan Johansson Jägerhorn, and Johan Flachsenius.
1689 – Vera gloria radices agit...
Congratulations to Petrus Laurbecchius by Daniel Jonae Millberg, Peter Simonsson Jobb, and Gabriel Henriksson Brenner.
1689 – Honoris trophaeum, dum promotore...
Congratulations to Petrus Laurbecchius by Magnus Caroli Alm and Sveno Olai Roosberg.
1689 – Monumentum in Pindo...
Congratulations to Petrus Laurbecchius by Nils Nilsson Höök.
1689 – Den Önskelige heela Finlandz glädie-dagh...
Congratulations to Jacob Flachsenius by Lorentz Lorentzson Creutz.
1689 – Bellaria, sive deliciae quantium dum...
Congratulations to Jacob Flachsenius by Henningus Henningi Fuldha and Henricus Henrici Florinus.
1689 – Majus redivivus altero se...
Congratulations to Jacob Flachsenius by Nicolaus Limatius, Johannes Gustavi Lithovius, Johannes Isaaci Falander, Olaus Johannis Wendelius, Johannes Matthiae Mathesius, and Nicolaus Petri Pictorius.
1689 – Majus virescens, circa solennem...
Congratulations to Jacob Flachsenius by Johannes Israëlis Rogbergius, Daniel Jonae Millberg, and Jonas Mollin.
1689 – Finibus in Boreae gelido sub Parrhasis axe exultans...
Congratulations to Jacob Flachsenius by Severinus Johannis Riisberg.
1689 – Glädie-liud hördt och kringspridt...
Congratulations to Jacob Flachsenius by Joachimus Bartholdi Caloander, Nicolaus Limatius, Johannes Gustavi Lithovius, Johannes Isaaci Falander, Olaus Johannis Wendelius, and Johannes Matthiae Mathesius.
1690 – Plausus pierius, in festivitatem...
Congratulations to Jacob Flachsenius by his brother Olaus Johannis Flachsenius.
1690 – In solennem promotionis doctoralis...
Congratulations to Jacob Lang, Superintendent of Narva, by Laurentius Gabrielis Tammelin.
1690 – Ingermannia virescens circa...
Congratulations to Jacob Flachsenius by Johannes Johannis Mether.
1693 – Solennitas doctoralis, anno jubilaeo...
Congratulations to Johan Flachsenius by Petrus Laurbecchius.
1693 – Cum divina disponenta providentia...
Congratulations to Johan Flachsenius by Gregorius Gabrielis Arctopolitanus.
1702 – Cum maxime reverendus...
Congratulations to David Lund by Daniel Juslenius.
The Conferment Ceremony lasts for three days at the turn of May and June. The dress code is very strict, and for most events participants are expected to wear evening dress — a tailcoat or a full-length evening gown.
Thursday’s programme begins in the afternoon with rehearsals in the University’s Great Hall. Attendance is compulsory for all those to be conferred — doctoral graduands, jubilee doctors, and honorary doctors — but not for their companions. It is advisable to arrive already dressed for the evening’s events.
After the rehearsals, the participants proceed to the Rector’s Reception, to which companions are also welcome.
Honorary Doctors are separately invited to a smaller-scale dinner hosted by the Dean later in the evening.
Friday marks the highlight of the celebration, the Conferment Act, held in the University’s Great Hall. The Act is like a carefully choreographed play in which the graduands are solemnly conferred as Doctors and receive the insignia of their academic degree. First, the graduands, their companions, and representatives of the University enter the Hall in strictly ordered processions. After the Conferrer’s speech, the primus doctor is presented with a question related to their field of study, which they must answer. Once the answer has been approved, the conferment may begin. Following precise choreography, each graduand in turn ascends the Parnassus to receive their academic insignia — the Conferrer presents the new Doctors with the doctoral sword and hat.
Finnish classical music is typically performed throughout the ceremony, and music plays a central role in the Act: the traditional programme includes at least Sibelius’s Conferment March and Andante Festivo. The ultimus doctor delivers a speech to the Fatherland, followed by the singing of Maamme (Our Land), the Finnish national anthem.
The Act concludes with a procession leading to the Conferment Service and a secular ceremony. After these, the procession returns to the University Main Building, where coffee is served. Processions are a traditional feature of academic festivities, and spectators usually gather at Senate Square to watch them.
On Friday evening, participants gather once more for the Conferment Dinner. Several speeches are delivered during the evening. These carefully prepared, multilingual speeches — often addressing the speaker’s academic field or a broader societal issue — are an essential part of the conferment tradition.
On the day following the Conferment Ceremony, a conferment excursion — traditionally a boat cruise — is organised for the newly conferred Doctors and Honorary Doctors (with companions).
The tradition of the conferment ceremony continues to flourish. In recent years, conferment committees have had no lack of volunteers and in the 2000s the ceremonies have attracted record numbers of participants. Currently the future of the conferment institution looks bright and secure, although it is possible that at some point, the tide will turn as it did in the 1970s and the ceremony will again be considered outdated, elitist and unsuitable for modern times.
Recent developments in the academic world can be seen as the greatest threats to the tradition of the conferment ceremony when the effects of cuts to funding for universities and students will become evident, not to mention the restrictions to the duration of studies. Because of the significance of conferment ceremonies to the academic community, universities support the arrangement of these ceremonies by providing funding and facilities for the festivities. As university finances tighten, financial support for conferment ceremonies will also decrease, which will result in higher participation fees and, consequently, lower participant numbers. Unfortunately, the general increase in prices can also be seen in the finances of conferment ceremonies. But on a more positive note, much welcomed partnerships with foundations and private donors wishing to support the tradition currently work to alleviate the situation.
The pressure to reduce the duration of studies and expedite graduation presents a challenge to students to actively participate in extracurricular activities and uphold academic traditions. Many of the special features of conferment ceremonies spring from Finnish student traditions that have become familiar to the participants during their studies, such as the annual celebrations of student nations and other student organisations. If students have fewer opportunities to participate in student activities, the future organisers of conferment ceremonies will not necessarily have the required solid knowledge of academic traditions.
Nevertheless, the conferment ceremony has persisted through almost 400 years of Finnish history marked by many wars, famines and political upheavals. It can safely be assumed that the tradition can maintain its vigour and continue to subsist in even challenging circumstances. The strength of the tradition is furthermore boosted by the fact that each conferment ceremony is able to adapt to its times. This is why it is important that conferment ceremonies are organised by the young generations themselves, for only they have an insight into which social symbols and phenomena need to be taken into account and thus put their own stamp on the tradition. Examples from the 21st century include the first young men selected as official wreath weavers and secular services held in parallel with conferment church services in all faculties. Often trends in history have first surfaced among the academic elite and then spread among the general public. The University itself follows phenomena in various fields and adapts to modern development while maintaining its strong identity and roots.
From the first conferment ceremony in 1643 up to the present, conferment ceremonies have not only been about scholarship and academic achievement, but also about poetry and jubilation. An event involving various art forms speaks of a community spirit spanning over generations, networking, voluntary work and the will to raise topical issues of social importance. For the community, the conferment ceremony is a recurring collective event, but for each individual participant it is a unique experience. A university that is aware of its past does not live in the past – the past lives on in us.