Alcohol disappearing from communion wine in Finnish churches

More Finnish Lutheran parishes are switching to non-alcoholic communion wine, with some now offering only alcohol-free options, according to a report by Yle.

In Sotkamo and Iisalmi, all communion wine is non-alcoholic. The shift is driven by accessibility, as some parishioners avoid alcohol for health, medication, or personal reasons. Cost is also a factor in some cases, as non-alcoholic wine is cheaper, though it spoils more quickly.

Heidi Lieke, leading chaplain of Hämeenlinna-Vanaja parish, said requests for non-alcoholic wine have increased, particularly among young people. The parish provides alcoholic wine by default unless requested otherwise.

In Järvenpää, communion wine is typically alcoholic, but a recent confirmation service used only non-alcoholic wine as a one-time exception, according to parish rector Vesa Koivisto. Some parishes, including Sotkamo, have adopted alcohol-free wine for confirmations even if their standard practice includes alcohol.

To address the shorter shelf life of non-alcoholic wine, some parishes freeze it in small portions, similar to ice cube bags, said Arto Vallivirta, an expert in worship life at the Church Council.

Communion bread has also changed, with many parishes, including Hämeenlinna-Vanaja, Sotkamo, and Järvenpää, now using gluten-free wafers.