Mitro Repo

Who is Mitro Repo?

Mitro Repo is a Finnish Orthodox Christian priest and member of the European Parliament since 2009, elected as an independent candidate on the Social Democratic Party's ticket.

Repo is a third generation priest. He studied theology at the University of Helsinki.

Repo's position on the Finnish Church's involvement in splitting the Estonian Orthodox Church led him into a conflict with metropolitan Johannes in the 1990s and finally to his temporary suspension.

Repo has been a popular speaker and commentator in radio and television talk shows. In addition to his church services, he has visited workers in their factories and financial and business leaders.

Repo was asked by several parties to run as a candidate in European Parliament elections, and he finally chose the Social Democrats. His decision to stand in the election led to a conflict between Repo and the church leadership. In the end, the Finnish Orthodox Church banned him from serving in religious services and wearing his trademark priestly outfit.

His candidacy and election has aroused some interest in the international press, e.g., in Le Monde and in The New York Times.