During the pandemic, congregations around the world have moved their worship services to digital platforms.
But already in 2016, the pastor DJ Soto, in Virginia in the USA, founded a virtual church called Virtual reality church, whose members have increased dramatically in recent years.
You visit the church through a VR headset and must also create a digital avatar to be able to participate in the services.
- I believe that the future of the church lies in the metaversum.
We have all the functions that you have in a physical church, says DJ Soto to the American TV channel FOX 5.
In the virtual church, for example, they can read Bible verses or have weddings.
- We remember each other from last week and recognize each other's voices and avatars.
It is an improvement for so many people, especially for those who cannot attend the physical church.
Can become a reality in Sweden
Since 2014, it has been possible to chat with a priest on duty from the Church of Sweden.
Several congregations have also had confirmation camps in the game Minecraft, where participants were allowed to build a church and create a virtual meeting place.
Today there is also an online pastor, who works with the Church of Sweden's social media.
- We have a mission to be a church online and we are available on all traditional platforms, says the online pastor Charlotte Frycklund.
The Church of Sweden now tells Kulturnyheterna that there is a possibility that in the future it will be in metaversum, but believes that it is still too early.
- The day when there will be a lot of people in metaversum, then we will be settlers and have a church there, says Charlotte Frycklund.