Religion

RUBENE CHURCH

Rubene Lutheran Church was built in the 13th century and is worth visiting as a place where Christianity in Latvia began. At the beginning, it was a wooden building, but in 1739 it was restored as it looks today. The church is a state architectural monument. Inside there are important pieces of art - a pulpet with paintings (the middle of the 18th century, an oblates box (1755) and a cup (1849).
The first priest there was Henry of Livonia (Indrikis) who served in this church from 1208 up to his death. According to historic data, Henry of Livonia was the first in history who started the parish in Latvia where all the members were only Latvians. The majority of historians believe that the first Latvian Lutheran parish was started in this place.
The present building was built in 1739 integrating the altar section of the first 13th or 14th century building.
In 2000 the restorers discovered a filled-up crypt beneath the pulpit. Some legends say that Henry of Livonia is burried there, but certainly it`s impossible to prove it.
Restauration work was carried out before the 800th anniversary in order to maintain the authentic and ancient values. The restauration was done by Company "SCO Centrs". Much work was done to restore the columns and the outside of the church. 

Rubene Parish 

Address: Rubene, Koceni municipality, LV 4227
Services: take place on Sundays at 10.00
Pastor: Zigmars Ziemanis
Contacts: tel. 28446787, zigmars.ziemanis@inbox.lv 

DIKLI CHURCH

For the first time mentioned in 1630. Initially it had lime walls and a straw roof. In 1772 the church was rebuilt and enlarged. In 1848, because of several damages, it was rebuilt again in the present-day form. From 1857 to 1867 the writer Juris Neikens served as a priest in this church. The organ was built by Martin Bitler from Jelgava. Some of the most outstanding works of art in Vidzeme are in this church: a pulpit and an altar, decorated with wooden carvings by Johan Daniel Shaus from Riga and Johan Valentin Rahe from Estonia from the end of the 17th century. These are typical samples of Riga woodcarving tradition. The altar central piece is the painting "Kristus krustā sišana" ("Crusification'', the author is unknown).

Dikli Lutheran Parish

Address: Dikli parish, Koceni municipality, LV 4223
Services: on the 1st and the 3rd Sunday of the month at 1 pm.
The pastor: Zigmars Ziemanis
Contact information: tel. 28446787, zigmars.ziemanis@inbox.lv 

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