Jānis Vanags

The Most Reverend

Jānis Vanags
Archbishop of Riga
Vanags in 2015
ChurchEvangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia
ArchdioceseRiga
SeeRiga
Elected26 January 1993
In office1993-2025
PredecessorKārlis Gailītis
SuccessorRinalds Grants
Orders
Ordination1 December 1985
Consecration29 August 1993
by Henrik Svenungsson
Personal details
Born (1958-05-25) 25 May 1958
NationalityLatvian
SpouseBaiba Vanaga
Children3
OccupationLutheran bishop

Jānis Vanags (born 25 May 1958) is a Latvian retired Lutheran bishop. He was Archbishop of Riga in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia from 1993 until his retirement in 2025.

Vanags is seen as conservative on theological or moral issues and opposes women's ordination. He also opposes abortion and euthanasia, and encourages homosexual people to be chaste. He presided over the agreement of fellowship with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod of the United States.