Tsasouna

In Karelia, an Orthodox chapel is called a tsasouna. Services of approximately one hour are held in them. A tsasouna is not consecrated as a church, and there is no relic under the altar table. A tsasouna service can also be held by a layman in the absence of a priest. For this reason, tsasounas emerged on the outskirts of parishes for use by the Orthodox residents of remote areas. After World War II, tsasounas have been built in several different parts of Finland. Tsasounas traditionally have a wooden structure. If a building such as this is made of stone or bricks, it is usually called a chapel instead.