Ethnic Germans have a long history dating back to tribes who fought against the Roman Empire 2000 years ago. Their ancestors included the Saxons, the Franks, the Goths, and the Alemannis among others. Germanic tribes settled in what was the western half of the Roman Empire after it began to dissolve in the 400s. Over time, the Franks became the dominant tribe, and Frankish King Charlemagne established the Holy Roman Empire in 800. What is now Austria was part of the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire collapsed in the 1800s. This made way for the multiethnic Kingdom of Prussia, which incorporated ethnic Germans into the German Empire in 1871. A large number of Germans lived in Austria-Hungary. During this time, Germans emigrated to many places in the world, especially Brazil, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
A small number of Germans live in Finland.
Germans began to come to Finland in the Middle Ages. They were usually officers and nobles. The 1800s were the heyday for Germans in Finland. German families helped Finland develop as a nation. They had German schools in Helsinki. During WWII, Finland was allied with Germany (as a defense against their common enemy, the Russians) so Germans settled in Finland and often married Finnish women.
Germans have a strong work ethic, but they also value free time for hobbies and vacations. Quality time is also family time for most.
No matter where they live, Germans enjoy soccer and skiing; two sports which Finns also enjoy. Ethnic Germans also enjoy beer, and every year, Octoberfest is a grand event.
On a personal basis, they do not like small talk, so there is often dead time in conversations. This is true on a social level and in the workplace. They value punctuality and following rules, even those that others find trivial.
Germans have contributed to Finland as professional athletes, politicians, actors and composers. Many of today’s companies in Finland were started by Germans.
Germany was the hotbed of the Protestant Reformation, and there is a high percentage of ethnic German Protestants today. They also have a high percentage of Roman Catholics. About a third regard themselves as non-religious.
Germans in Finland are emotionally self-sufficient, and they often see no need for God. There is every kind of gospel material in the German language, but they don’t see their need for it.
Pray for the Lord to show himself powerful and loving to the Germans.
Pray for spiritual hunger among Germans in Finland.
Pray that soon Germans in Finland will be discipling others.
Scripture Prayers for the German in Finland.
https://www.studying-in-germany.org/german-culture/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_early_Germanic_peoples
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germans_in_Finland
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
