The Netherlands, known for its rich cultural diversity, hosts a predominantly Christian population, with Catholicism and Protestantism being the most prominent denominations. However, the country also embraces a mosaic of religious traditions, reflecting the global nature of its inhabitants. From bustling cities to serene countryside, churches and cathedrals stand as testaments to the spiritual tapestry woven throughout the Dutch landscape. So this blog only focuses on religion in the Netherlands.
Religion, believe or not believe?
About 20% of the Dutch population is Catholic and about 15% is Protestant. If you wonder about how many Dutch people believe or don’t believe in God? About 33% of the Dutch population doesn’t believe in God and 24 % firmly believe in God, the rest is unsure. Despite the increase in non-believers, more and more people, both young and old, are embracing Christianity.
Christianity is popular among youngsters
Religion is highly popular among Dutch youth, a lot of young Dutch peoply are very religious and are firm believers in God. Annually, a special religious festival called EO Jongerendag is organized. On this day, young Christians from different churches gather to sing, pray, and listen to speeches together. Christian artists from both the Netherlands and abroad also perform at the event. This festival attracts more than 15.000 visitors and is held at Ahoy Rotterdam.
➔ READ MORE – EO Youth Day
Religion and freedom of speech
In the Netherlands, a variety of religions are practiced, with Christianity (both Protestant and Catholic) being the most prominent. Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism also have significant followings. Major religious sites include the historic St. Bavo’s Cathedral in Haarlem and the modern Blue Mosque in Amsterdam. Additionally, the country is known for its secular and humanist traditions. This diverse religious landscape reflects the Netherlands’ multicultural and tolerant society. Live and let live is a line often spoken.
➔ READ MORE – Literature about religion in the Netherlands by Bol.com
Religious Services at Dutch Churches and Religious Houses
If you would like to attend a Dutch Christian service at a Dutch church, you are welcome. Please remember to show respect. You can watch our Christian services online through several websites. During the church holidays, the Eucharistic celebrations are broadcast on TV in a Eurovision context.
➔ READ MORE – Eucharist celebration online
How to recognize a Protestant church from a Catholic Church?
On a Protestant church tower, there is usually a rooster, which also functions as a weather vane. On a Catholic church tower, there is a cross.
Religious denominations
In the Netherlands, there are various Christian denominations, each with its own church or place of worship. The main ones can be divided into Protestant and Catholic churches.
Protestant Denominations:
Dutch Reformed Church (Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk – NHK)
Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Gereformeerde Kerk – GKN)
Evangelical Lutheran Church
Remonstrant Brotherhood
Reformed Congregations (Gereformeerde Gemeenten – GG)
Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands (Gereformeerde Gemeenten in Nederland – GGiN)
➔ READ MORE – Broadcasted on national TV by NCRV television
Catholic Church:
Roman Catholic Church
This is the largest Christian denomination worldwide. Traditionally strong in the Netherlands, especially in the southern regions.
➔ READ MORE – Broadcasted on National TV by KRO
➔ READ MORE – Museum Catharijne Convent Utrecht
Furthermore, there are the Mennonites and the evangelical movement.
➔ READ MORE – Broadcasted on national TV by EO, Evangelische Omroep
In recent years, there has been a coming together of these religious denominations to collaborate. This collaboration has led to a stronger sense of community and unity among Christians in the Netherlands, despite their theological and liturgical differences.
Official Christian days, holidays and work freedom
Not all official Christian holidays are designated as public holidays. While children often receive time off from school for these holidays, the situation for working individuals varies. For employees, the observance of Christian holidays as days off is typically governed by the terms of their collective labor agreement (CAO). Some good explanation of the CAO is give by the Union or as we say “Vakbond”.
➔ READ MORE – Collectieve Arbeidsovereenkomst – Collective Labor Agrement
➔ READ MORE – Dutch National Holidays and School Holidays in the Netherlands
Christian holidays and their meanings, along with their respective dates of celebration.
- Christmas
- Meaning: Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
- Date: December 25 and 26
- Dutch Translation: Kerstmis
- Holiday: Adults have a 2-day holiday, while children have a 2-week Christmas holiday
- Epiphany
- Meaning: Commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus, symbolizing the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles.
- Date: January 6
- Dutch Translation: Drie Koningen
- Holiday: This is not a holiday; however, children are often still free at this time because of the Christmas holiday.
- Carnival
- Meaning: Carnival is a Catholic festival, it’s celebrated in the period leading up to Lent in preparation for Easter.
- Date: Seven weeks before Easter. Carnaval starts on Sunday morning and lasts till Ash Wednesday.
- Dutch Translation: Carnaval
- Holiday: In the South of the Netherlands it is a holiday weekend
- Ash Wednesday
- Meaning: Marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and repentance leading up to Easter.
- Date: 46 days before Easter Sunday
- Dutch Translation: As Woensdag
- Holiday: This is not a holiday
- Palm Sunday
- Meaning: Commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
- Date: The Sunday before Easter
- Dutch Translation: Palm Zondag
- Holiday: This is not a holiday
- Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday)
- Good Friday
- Holy Saturday
- Meaning: Marks the day Jesus lay in the tomb after his death.
- Date: The Saturday before Easter
- Dutch Translation: Paas Zaterdag
- Holiday: This is not a holiday
- Easter Sunday
- Meaning: Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
- Date: The first Sunday after the first full moon of spring.
- Dutch Translation: Pasen – Paas Zondag – eerste paasdag
- Holiday: This is a 2-day holiday
- Easter Monday
- Meaning: A continuation of the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.
- Date: The day after Easter Sunday
- Dutch Translation: Pasen – Paas Maandag – tweede Paasdag
- Holiday: This is a 2-day holiday
- Ascension Day
- Meaning: Commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven, 40 days after his resurrection.
- Date: 40 days after Easter – always on a Thuersday
- Dutch Translation: Hemelvaartsdag
- Holiday: This is a long weekend, 4 days holiday, from Thursday to Sunday.
- Pentecost (Whitsun)
- Meaning: Celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, marking the birth of the Church.
- Date: 50 days after Easter
- Dutch Translation: Pinksteren – eerste Pinksterdag – Pinkster zondag
- Holiday: This is a 2-day holiday
- Pentecost (Whit Monday)
- Meaning: Celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, marking the birth of the Church.
- Date: 50 days after Easter
- Dutch Translation: Pinksteren – tweede Pinksterdag – Pinkster maandag
- Holiday: This is a 2-day holiday
- Trinity Sunday
- Meaning: Celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the three Persons of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- Date: The first Sunday after Pentecost
- Dutch Translation: Feest van de Heilige Drie-eenheid
- Holiday: This is not a holiday
- Corpus Christi
- Meaning: Celebrates the real presence of the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
- Date: The Thursday after Trinity Sunday
- Dutch Translation: Sacraments dag
- Holiday: This is not a holiday
- All Saints’ Day
- Meaning: Honors all saints, known and unknown.
- Date: November 1
- Dutch Translation: Aller Heiligen
- Holiday: This is not a holiday
- All Souls’ Day
- Meaning: Commemorates all the faithful departed, particularly but not exclusively one’s relatives.
- Date: November 2
- Dutch Translation: Dodenherdenking
- Holiday: This is not a holiday
- Advent
- Meaning: A period of preparation for Christmas, celebrating the coming of Christ.
- Date: Begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas
- Dutch Translation: Advent
- Holiday: This is not a holiday
These holidays mark significant events in the Christian calendar and are celebrated with various traditions and rituals.
➔ READ MORE – Dutch National Holidays and School Holidays in the Netherlands
Saint’s celebrations, national and local
In the Netherlands, Saint Nicolas or as we say “Sint Nicolaas”, is celebrated on December 5th: Saint Martin, or as we say “Sint Maarten” is celebrated on November 11th, Sante Claus is a nontraditional Dutch Saint, recent years it is celebrated on the evening of December 24th.
➔ READ MORE – Saint’s – Saint Nicolas, Saint Martin, Saint Maarten and Santa Clause
Best things to know about the Dutch and their habits!
In the Netherlands live at the end of March 2024 about 17 967 505 registered persons.
➔ READ MORE – Holland, the Dutch Culture and nice things, crazy stuff about the Netherlands
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