Bishop Johan Dalman engages Generation Z with viral video of Strängnäs Cathedral

An Instagram video featuring Bishop Johan Dalman has garnered over a million views, showcasing the Strängnäs Cathedral through the lens of Generation Z—the demographic born roughly from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s. Dalman explained that the Church of Sweden’s headquarters in Uppsala suggested he incorporate “Gen Z language” in the cathedral. Although unfamiliar with many of these terms, he enlisted the help of an expert to identify objects within the church and describe them using contemporary slang, including words like “Demure,” “Slay,” and “Icon.”

Since the clip’s release, an influx of praise and admiration has flooded in across social media platforms. Dalman expressed surprise at the enthusiastic response, stating, “I never thought I would become a poster boy for ‘Duolingo Z’.” The viral video continues to capture the attention of viewers, demonstrating an innovative approach to engaging a younger audience with the church’s heritage.