Introduction / History

People have lived in Estonia for thousands of years, but their ethnic identity emerged in the 1800s. A 1739 Bible translation into Estonian enhanced their pride in their nationality. They identify as Nordic or Baltic, but their language is related to Finnish. Finnish and Estonian are not mutually intelligible.

Many left Estonia because of the Tsarist rule of Estonia starting in the early 1700s. Others left during WWII because of German occupation and after the Soviets annexed their country in 1940. The Estonian diaspora is usually in Finland, Scandinavian countries, and former Soviet nations that gained independence when the USSR dissolved in 1991. Others live in Nordic countries like Iceland and Greenland. Many wanted to settle in North America, so Estonians are also in Canada and the United States.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Estonian families include parents and children. However, due to the high divorce rate, single-parent families are common. Extended family members are far away. Estonian youths try to stake it out on their own around age 20.

Estonians love choirs; singing is a favorite pastime. They also enjoy all kinds of sports, especially basketball and skiing.

No matter where they live, Estonians have their own cuisine. Their foods feature black bread, potatoes, herring, pork and dairy products. A favorite delicacy is blood sausage, which they eat as a Christmas food. Smoked or marinated eel or crayfish are also delicacies. They like to wash down their meals with either beer or coffee. Estonians in diaspora tend towards globalized favorites such as pizza, burgers, French fries and pasta.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Partly because of their various identities, Estonians can be Roman Catholic, Estonian Evangelical Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox or Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church. They have several Christian traditions, but almost half identify as non-religious. The non-

What Are Their Needs?

Even by European standards, Estonians are secularized. They have several church traditions, but only a small percentage believe Christianity affects their lives.

Prayer Items

Pray for a Christ-centered revival in all Estonian church traditions.
Pray for Estonians to draw closer to the Lord, seek his face, and obey his ways.
Pray that soon, Estonian disciples will make more disciples wherever they live.

Scripture Prayers for the Estonian in Norway.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonians
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Estonia