Meeksi Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist

Meeksi Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist
Meeksi Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist
Religion
Affiliation	Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church
Year consecrated	1953
Location
Location	Miikse, Meremäe Parish, Estonia
Geographic coordinates	57°42′34″N 27°23′43″E
Architecture
Completed	1953

Meeksi Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist was built in 1953 in Miikse village, Meremäe rural municipality, Võru County in Estonia. The construction work was carried out during Joseph Stalin's rule by members of the congregation, on their own initiative. The building happened at night; the builders escaped persecution.

General information

The greatest and most popular holiday in Meeksi church is the old Midsummer Day on the 7th of July. Over the church feasts, the people connected with the area come home to be in church in the morning. There is a procession led by a cross around the church. After church, people go visit the graves of loved ones, where they bring along food and drinks.

The church is built from wood and covered by wooden boarding. The building was renovated last in 2013 with the help of the money received by the congregation from a national programme for Estonian churches. Miikse cemetery is situated behind the church. A monument to the fallen in the Second World War is also located in the cemetery. The church is situated by Miikse stream at an intersection of roads. 80 metres southwest from the church, by the Miikse stream is Miikse jaanikivi (St. John's rock), a historical sacrificial stone. Once, Miikse tsässon was also situated by the sacrificial stone. 500 metres south from Miikse church is Miikse village square, where people celebrate old Midsummer Day as the most important holiday.