About Mārtiņš Urdze

Mārtiņš Urdze
Foto: Dāvids Birulis

1960

August 27, 1960 – was born in Oldenburg, Germany, as the first child to Gita and Paulis Urdze. He was later joined by siblings Pēteris, Tabita and Toms. Pēteris died in 1982 in England in an automobile accident.

1981

1981 – 1988 – studied theology at universities in Neuendettelsau, Berlin and Hamburg.

1990

1990 – was ordinated as a pastor in the Latvian Ev. Luth. Church Worldwide.

1991

1991 – 1993 – studied to become a certified elder caregiver.

1993

1993 – 1995 – worked as an elder caregiver in a home for the elderly in Oldenburg.

1995

1995 – moved to Latvia and became the pastor for the Liepāja Diaconal Centre.

1999

1999 – became the pastor of the Ev. Luth. Church of the Cross congregation in Liepāja.

1999

1999 – married Aija Druvaskalne.

2002

2002 – began to also serve as the pastor for the Saraiķi Ev. Luth. Congregation.

2006

From 2006 onward – served as chairman of the board for the Liepāja Diaconal Centre.

2010

2010 – Aija Druvaskalne-Urdze dies of cancer.

2016

In 2016, he leaves the Latvian Ev. Lutheran Church in Latvia, protesting its decision not to allow women to be ordained as pastors.

2017

2017 – honoured as “Liepāja Citizen of the Year” for his work in organising and leading social projects for people with special needs.

2020

2020 – celebrated his 60th birthday.

2021

April 23, 2021 – died at his home in Liepāja, Latvia, following a short but severe illness.