Lars Levi Laestadius

Today starts the Laestadius week in Pajala. Lars Levi Laestadius 1800-1861, was a priest and botanist in the Torne valley who started a new, very religious church in the Torne valley. The Same people had very severe problems with alcohol, Laestadius saved them when they became Laestadians. He learnt to speak Finnish,Tornevalleyfinnish and all Same dialects in a few years, he was half-Same himself. Now there are two branches of Laestadianism, West and East. 100000 members,the Tornevalley and Finland branch are East Laestadians, they speak Finnish and sing Psalms and other religious songs. 10000, the Swedish Lapland branch are West Laestadians, they don't sing more than the necessary psalms. I don't know if it is like that now, but earlier they saw sin in everything, curtains was the Devil's underwear and they asked the priest if he was Christian, they considered themselves as the only true Christians. They have their meetings at home, have their own preachers and don't accept women priests, abortion,gaymarriages, birthcontrol. 10-15 children is not unusual.
My Great Grandfather was a West Laestadian, leading in the village, he built the chapel 1922. My Uncle has told me that when they had their meetings they talked about sin, and someone said they sin even when they sleep. He was under the table and heard that. They have Bigmeetings every Summer near my house, 4-5000 people as far away as from Canada.Laestadianism is a branch of the Swedish Church.