NUUK, Greenland — The people of Greenland, predominantly Inuit, take immense pride in their identity and their heritage of resilience in a challenging and isolated environment. Simultaneously, they share a strong connection with Lutheran Christianity. Being part of the Lutheran Church is an integral feature of life for many, with the roots of this faith stretching back over 300 years to when Danish missionaries first introduced it to this massive ice-covered island, the largest in the world. The blending of religious customs and societal traditions is a cornerstone of what it means to be Greenlandic, alongside a devotion to their expansive homeland, which some felt was belittled by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s interest in purchasing it.
Despite the stark, icy landscape being a hindrance, Greenland’s Lutheran parishes maintain a presence in numerous communities. The faithful gather in churches weekly, some even joining services broadcast on the radio during their traditional fishing and hunting activities. Bishop Paneeraq Siegstad Munk, head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greenland, explains that this harsh yet beautiful environment strengthens the community’s spiritual dependence, underscoring a belief that faith is essential for survival in this immense and isolating expanse.
However, faith varies throughout Greenland as it does elsewhere, and affiliation with the church isn’t always synonymous with deep religious belief. For the newlywed Schmidt couple, the church represents a cultural fixture rather than firm religious conviction. Traditions, Malu Schmidt explained, serve to honor familial legacies, providing continuity amid societal and personal change.
The legacy of missionary Hans Egede, who both established the country’s capital, Nuuk, and brought Lutheran Christianity to Greenland, remains contentious and debated. For some, he is admired for spreading literacy and developing the written Greenlandic language, establishing a foundation for literature and educational advancement. For others, however, he is emblematic of colonial oppression that compromised indigenous culture. Statues of Egede continue to provoke discussion, with some advocating for their removal on grounds of representing colonial violence.
Greenland, now a semi-autonomous region of Denmark, is experiencing a growing movement towards full independence. The notion gained momentum partly due to international attention when President Trump publicly displayed interest in acquiring it. The residents express steadfast independence, a desire not to be subsumed by foreign powers, whether American or Danish.
While younger generations in Greenland increasingly call for a resurgence of pre-Christian traditions as an assertion of their cultural identity, the Lutheran Church remains fundamental to many. The church, having severed ties with Denmark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in 2009, is proudly Greenlandic, conducting services in the native Greenlandic language, thus fostering a deep personal connection.
Though other religious denominations have now established a presence, with immigration bringing diversity to Greenland’s religious landscape, the Lutheran Church continues to play a key role for most. Regular church attendance may not be ubiquitous among the younger population, yet key life events and holidays still attract significant participation from the community.
Services in churches like Nuuk’s Cathedral combine solemnity with joy, molding enduring memories at baptisms, weddings, and other pivotal moments. The church, in addition to being a place of worship, serves as a communal hub for celebration and mourning alike, capturing the Greenlandic spirit of resilience and togetherness in the face of an ever-changing world.
