Juris Rubenis (born 1961 in Riga) is the best-known Latvian Lutheran pastor.
Rubenis has written more than 20 original literature and theology books. More than 10 books have been bestsellers in Latvia, and many of his books have been translated into Lithuanian, German and English. His English translated book is the first-ever by Latvia's authors that has been translated and retailed in the US.[1] He has published more than 500 articles in German, English, Russian, and other languages.
Rubenis was member of Latvian organisation for Human Rights and Latvian Rebirth - "Helsinki-86". Rubenis was one of the founders of the "Rebirth and Renewal" movement of Latvian Lutheranism in 1987. He was also a member of the Popular Front of Latvia, the organization which led Latvia to democracy in 1991. In 1994, Rubenis was named to the Order of the Three Stars (Latvia's highest civil honour). In 2008, Rubenis was named to the Viesturs' Order. Rubenis is a member of the Academy of Sciences of Latvia.
In 2009 Juris Rubenis founded first Latvian Meditation Centre - "Ēlijas Nams" ("Bet Elijahu" or "House of Elias").[2] Ēlijas Nams ir first-of-the-kind place in Latvia. Juris Rubenis is a schoolar of Switzerland Meditation Center via Integralis/Lassalle Kontemplationsschule via integralis. In year 2009 Ēlijas Nams was named a member of The World Coummunity for Christian Meditation.