Janis Vanags
Encyclopedia
Jānis Vanags is a republican city in western Latvia, located on the Baltic Sea directly at 21°E. It is the largest city in the Kurzeme Region of Latvia, the third largest city in Latvia after Riga and Daugavpils and an important ice-free port...
) is the archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia is a Lutheran Protestant church in Latvia. Latvia's Lutheran heritage dates back to the Reformation. Both the Nazi and communist regimes persecuted the church harshly before religious freedom returned to Latvia in 1988.The Church is governed by a...
(1993-). Vanags is seen as a "conservative" on theological or moral issues and opposed women's ordination as well as homosexuality. He presided over the agreement of fellowship with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
Vanags studied at Liepaja 5th High School (1965–1976), the Latvian State University
University of Latvia
University of Latvia is a university located in Riga, Latvia. Being established in 1919, University of Latvia is the biggest university in the Baltic states.-History:...
Chemistry Department (1976–1982), and the Lutheran Theological Seminar (1984–1989). He worked as a chemistry teacher in Riga Vilis Lacis 31st High School (1982–1985).
Vanags was ordained as a minister in 1985 and was appointed to the head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia in 1993 by emergency, following the death of Kārlis Gailītis, the previous minister, in a car crash.
External links
- Biography at the Lutheran Church website
- Latvia Revived. interview in Touchstone, May 2001.