Finland Parishes

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A pastorate (pastoraati) is a parish (pitäjä) lead by a priest (kirkkoherra) consisting of one or more than one congregation led by a singular vicar or pastor. The term pitäjä was also used to describe the rural administration prior to the establishment of the municipal adminstration (kuntaa) in the 1860s. It can also be used to describe former rural municipalities that have been annexed to another municipality. See Swedish Pastorat for more information.