Mārtiņš Urdze

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

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

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

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

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

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

1999 – married Aija Druvaskalne.

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

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

2010 – Aija Druvaskalne-Urdze dies of cancer.

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

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

2020 – celebrated his 60th birthday.

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