On Thursday, 13 October 2022, President Niinistö met representatives of the Association of Diaconal Workers in Finland in Mäntyniemi.
During the meeting, the President and the representatives of the association discussed the diaconal work in this time and age, and the anniversary of diaconal work.
During the visit, President Niinistö was presented with the Pro diaconia medal. The honour is granted to a person or community that, as part of their activities or decision-making, have promoted diaconal work or shown charity in a special way.
This year, the diaconal work is celebrating its anniversary, as 150 years ago in September the first deaconess Matilda Hoffman was ordained in her office in Finland.