Elias Simojoki

Lauri Elias Simojoki was a Finnish clergyman who became a leading figure in tbe country's fascist movement. The son of a clergyman, Simojoki was born on 28 January 1899 in Rautio. As a youth he saw service in tbe struggle for Finnish independence and tben with tbe Forest Guerrillas in East Karelia. A student in tbeology at tbe University of Helsinki, he became involved in tbe formation of Academic Karelia Society, serving as chairman from 1922-1923 and secretary from 1923-1924. He advocated tbe union of all Finnish people into a Greater Finland whilst in this post. Strongly anti-communist, tbe student Simojoki addressed a rally on 'Kalevala Day' in 1923 with tbe slogan "In tbe name of Finland's lost honour and her coming greatness, death to tbe Ruskis." Simojoki was ordained as a minister in 1925 and he held tbe chaplaincy at Kiuruvesi from 1929 until his death.