Aretalogia –
Aretalogia to the World
- message of charity over land and seas

1. Birth history of the Aretalogia.

The idea of Aretalogia paper derives its origin from the beginning of the 1980's. That time was mentally very hard in my home area, and in spite of prosperity and fair chances, many young people committed suicide. I felt very sorrowful for them, although I didn't know them personally.

I always have support and lent a helping hand for my old, sick and poor fellowmen, but now I didn't know how to help these lonely and heavy-hearted people. When considering that I had a vision of editing a newspaper and delivering it in every home in Sodankyla for nothing. At the same time I was reading a book 'Nelja evankelistaa (The four evangelists)' written by professor Aapeli Saarisalo. He tells about wandering preachers called 'aretalog' and their verbal or written declaration 'aretalogy' by ancient Hellenes. That was where I got a good name for my paper.

I had no financial resources to edit and deliver a newspaper until 1983, when I was paralysed in a car accident and with indemnity paid by the insurance company it was possible to realize my plans. The first number of Aretalogia came out in November 1984. The paper was registered with a number ISSN 0782-1336 and has then been published 4 to 6 issues per year. In the course of years both subject matter and external appearance of Aretalogia have progressed and the paper has aroused people's interest widely. It also has taken local as well as far-reaching effect on discussion and acting of people.

2. Aretalogia in the Internet.

As a pattern in my work I have pastor Lars Levi Laestadius (1800-1861) from Karesuando, Swedish Lapland. In the 19th century life in Lapland was very troubled, violence and stealing being very common. As a result of Laestadius' profound spiritual revival and ardent preaching work, people in villages mended their ways, left off alcohol and crimes. The great and extensive social influence of this revival movement spread out in all Finland and even abroad in few decades.

One of the working methods of Laestadius was editing his own paper, at first writing articles with a goose quill and blueberry juice on a package paper. Today we have all the technology by the aid of which we can communicate all over the world in real time. The Internet is the way to send the message of Aretalogia not only to people in Lapland but also to people in other continents.

As in the 19th century, also nowadays we are living in the world of disorder, atrocity, fear and hate. To conquer the anguish, we all have to set out to progress mentally and carry out the humanistic values. All the many religions never made the World better but caused new tension and conflicts. In my opinion, reason for that are conversion, mental subjection and classification of people, made by old as well as by new religions. Only by means of individual mental progress we can meet all nations, representing different religions, without fair and anger. In this way we are able to respect their views and freedom and to defend their rights. Goodness, charity, truth and rightfulness are the way to the better World, and as a messenger of them for all nations, over land and seas, I offer these Aretalogia pages.