rippi

Rippi is a Finnish religious term referring to the private confession of sins to a priest or pastor and the absolution that follows as part of Christian practice. In everyday Finnish church life, rippi denotes the act of confessing sins and seeking forgiveness, and it is used across Catholic and Lutheran contexts that are present in Finland.

In Catholic practice, rippi is considered a sacrament in which the penitent acknowledges sins before a priest, expresses contrition, and receives absolution. The priest may assign a penance to be completed after the confession as part of the sacramental process. The emphasis is on personal repentance and reconciliation with God and the community.

In Lutheran contexts in Finland, private confession exists but is not universally required. Many congregations emphasize the public confession and the absolution spoken during worship, while private confession remains available in some parishes or during certain liturgical seasons. The exact form and emphasis of rippi can vary by parish and denomination, reflecting broader Lutheran and Catholic understandings of sin, forgiveness, and the role of clergy.

Other uses of the term rippi are limited. It can appear as a surname or place name in some contexts, but its primary recognition in Finnish is as the act of confession within Christian church life. The related term rippikoulu refers to the separate Lutheran program of instruction for youths preparing for confirmation.