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Alexei Krindatch (Akrindatch@aol.com)

Orthodox Reality in AmericaOrthodox Reality in America

St.Tikhon Monastery (est. 1903), South Canaan, PASt.Nicholas Cathedral, Tarpon Springs. FL

St.Lawrence Church, Felton, CAPanagia Vlahernon Monastery, Ocala, FL 2

Sources of information in this presentationSources of information in this presentation

�2011 National Survey of Linguistic Situation in US

Orthodox Parishes

�2010 Census of US Orthodox Christian Churches

�2010 “Faith Communities Today” (FACT) national

survey (380 parishes of GOA, OCA and AOCA

participated)

� 2008 “Orthodox Church Today” (national survey of

laity in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

and the Orthodox Church in America)

�2009 US Religious Landscape Survey (Pew Forum on

Religion and Public Life)

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2010 National Census of US Orthodox 2010 National Census of US Orthodox Christian ChurchesChristian Churches

Each local Orthodox parish was asked two questions:

�How many individual persons in total are associated

with the life of your parish: including adults and

children, regular and occasional attendees, paid

stewards and persons who do not contribute

financially?

� Approximately, how many persons – including

adults and children – attend Liturgy in your parish

on a typical Sunday?4

Combined, for all US Orthodox Churches:Combined, for all US Orthodox Churches:

�The answer to the first question is 1,043,8001,043,800

That is, 1,043,800 persons in the USA participate in

Orthodox church life or are at least known to the

local parishes (817,500 Eastern Orthodox Christians

+ 226,300 Oriental Orthodox Christians)

� The answer to the second question is 294,300294,300

That is, 294,300 persons are praying in all American

Orthodox parishes on a typical Sunday (214,200

Eastern Orthodox Christians + 80,100 Oriental

Orthodox Christians)1

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Combined, for all US Orthodox Churches:Combined, for all US Orthodox Churches:

�The ratio between second (294,300) and first

(1,043,800) figures is 28%28%

That is, 28% of all Orthodox Church adherents

participate in church life on a regular weekly basis

�However, 35% of US Oriental Orthodox Christians

attend church on a regular weekly basis in

comparison with only 26% among Eastern

Orthodox Christians

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For the Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian For the Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church:Orthodox Church:

�The answer to the first question is 12,36512,365

That is: 12,365 persons in the USA participate in

the lives of the Patriarchal Parishes or are at least

known to them

� The answer to the second question is 1,9521,952

That is: 1,952 persons are praying in all

Patriarchal Parishes on a typical Sunday

�The ratio between second (1,952) and first (12,365)

figures is 16%16% That is: 16% of all parishioners

participate in church life regularly

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Membership in US Orthodox ChurchesMembership in US Orthodox Churches

476

84

75

68

27

23

12.4

11.2

10.5

6.8

2.6

0.9

0.7

0 100 200 300 400 500

Greek Orth. Archdiocese

Orth. Church in America

Antiochian Archdiocese

Serbian Orthodox Church

Rus. Orth. Ch. Ouside Russia

Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Patriarchal Parishes of ROC

Romanian Archdiocese

Carpatho-Russian Diocese

Palestinian Vicariate

Bulgarian Diocese

Georgian Orthodox Parishes

Albanian Orthodox Diocese

Total number of adherents including children (in 1000)

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Various Orthodox jurisdictions are different in the Various Orthodox jurisdictions are different in the

strength of strength of church commitmentchurch commitment of their membersof their members

% of persons who attend regularly in comparison

with total membership 23%

40%

37%

22%

32%

31%

16%

20%

47%

12%

46%

35%

26%

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese

Orthodox Church in America

Antiochian Archdiocese

Serbian Orthodox Church

Rus.Orth.Ch. Outside Russia

Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Patriarchal Parishes of ROC

Romanian Archdiocese

Carpatho-Russian Diocese

Palestinian Vicariate

Bulgarian Diocese

Georgian Orthodox Parishes

Albanian Orthodox Diocese

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The parishes of different Orthodox Churches The parishes of different Orthodox Churches

vary greatly in sizevary greatly in size

420

100

164

332

80

150

100

200

94

250

110

150

350

Greek Orth. Archdiocese

Orth. Church in AmericaAntiochian Archdiocese

Serbian Orthodox Church

Rus. Orth. Ch. Ouside Russia

Ukrainian Orthodox ChurchPatriarchal Parishes of ROC

Romanian Archdiocese

Carpatho-Russian Diocese

Palestinian VicariateBulgarian Diocese

Georgian Orthodox Parishes

Albanian Orthodox Diocese

Size of a median parish (persons, including children). That is,

50% of parishes are smaller and 50% are bigger than "median"

parish

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In 1936: 345,400 adherents in all US Eastern In 1936: 345,400 adherents in all US Eastern Orthodox Christian Churches combinedOrthodox Christian Churches combined

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In 2010: 817,500 adherents in all US Eastern In 2010: 817,500 adherents in all US Eastern Orthodox Christian Churches combinedOrthodox Christian Churches combined

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Geographically, 45% adherents of US Eastern Geographically, 45% adherents of US Eastern

Orthodox Christian Churches live in just five states:Orthodox Christian Churches live in just five states:

New York - 14% of all adherents of US Orthodox ChurchesCalifornia - 10% Illinois - 8% Pennsylvania – 6.5% Massachusetts - 6%

At the same time, only 29% of the US population live in these five states

Bottom line:Bottom line: Compared to general US population, the Compared to general US population, the

members of Orthodox Churches are much more members of Orthodox Churches are much more

concentrated in certain (nice?) geographic areasconcentrated in certain (nice?) geographic areas3

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Where do the members of Orthodox Churches live?Where do the members of Orthodox Churches live?

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Five Top Counties With Largest Numbers of Five Top Counties With Largest Numbers of

Adherents of the Eastern Orthodox Churches:Adherents of the Eastern Orthodox Churches:

Cook co. (Chicago), Il – 48,100Queens co. (New York), NY – 28,400 Los Angeles co., CA – 24,200 New York co. (Manhattan), NY – 16,800 Middlesex co. (Cambridge, Lowell) , MA – 16,700

That is: 16%16% of all US Orthodox parishioners are

concentrated in just 5 counties

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Since 1980s, several new developments in Since 1980s, several new developments in American Orthodox Christian Churches:American Orthodox Christian Churches:

�Geographic redistribution: dynamic growth in South (esp. Florida) and in West (esp. California)

�Fast growth of Oriental Orthodox Churches (in 1970, there were 2 Coptic parishes in USA; in 2010 - 172)

� Fast growing presence of converts (former Roman Catholics and Protestants) among Orthodox clergy and laity 16

Proportion of converts (born and raised nonProportion of converts (born and raised non--Orthodox) among members of Orthodox) among members of ““Greek Orthodox Greek Orthodox

Archdiocese of AmericaArchdiocese of America”” and and ““Orthodox Church in Orthodox Church in AmericaAmerica””

71%

12%

16%

1%

49%

14%

33%

4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

GOA laity OCA laity

What was your Church affiliation before you

became an Orthodox Christian?

Former Agnostic /

No religion

Former

Protestant

Former Roman

Catholic

Cradle Orthodox:

was born andraised Orthodox

4

5

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How How ““RussianRussian”” are Patriarchal Parishes of the are Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in USA?Russian Orthodox Church in USA?

�Do you agree with the statement “Our parish has strong ethnic heritage that we are trying to preserve?”

“Rather agree” or “Strongly agree” – 35% parishes“Neutral / Unsure” – 55% parishes“Rather disagree” or “Strongly disagree” – 10%

parishes

�For all Patriarchal Parishes nationwide: average % of EnglishEnglish used:as language of liturgy – 77% as language of sermon – 85% as language of church choir – 74% 18

Some Orthodox Churches in US become Some Orthodox Churches in US become ““All All AmericanAmerican”” and some remain and some remain ““ethnically basedethnically based””

"Our parish has a strong ethnic heritage that we are

trying to preserve."

8%

9%

12%

16%

35%

39%

47%

55%

64%

20%

19%

28%

22%

10%

27%

23%

9%

4%

Antiochian Archdiocese

Orthodox Church in America

Carpatho-Russian Archdiocese

Patriarchal Parishes of ROC

ROCOR

Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Bulgarian Diocese

Serbian Orthodox Parishes

Romanian Archdiocese

% "strongly agree"

% "rather agree"

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US nationwide, average % of English used in the US nationwide, average % of English used in the

parishes: Patriarchal Parishes, OCA, ROCORparishes: Patriarchal Parishes, OCA, ROCOR

84%

90%

87%

74%

77%

85%

49%

57%

47%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

English (%) used

in liturgy

English (%) used

in sermon

English (%) used

in choir

OCA Patriarchal Parishes of ROC ROCOR

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2010 FACT Survey: How Do We Pray? 2010 FACT Survey: How Do We Pray?

Orthodox compared to Catholic and Protestant Churches Orthodox compared to Catholic and Protestant Churches

% of parishes / congregations reporting that following describe their week-end worship service “very well”

39%

42%

6%

43%

70%

22%

22%

8%

31%

28%

29%

26%

9%

31%

24%

37%

33%

15%

39%

27%

Worship is reverent

Worship is joyful

Worship is innovative

Worship is inspirational

Worship is thought

provoking

Orthodox

Churches

Roman

Catholic

Church

Mainline

Protestant

Churches

Evangelical

Protestant

Churches

5

6

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2010 FACT Survey: How Parishes / Congregations Look Like? 2010 FACT Survey: How Parishes / Congregations Look Like?

Orthodox compared to Catholic and Protestant ChurchesOrthodox compared to Catholic and Protestant Churches

% of parishes / congregations which “strongly agree”

6%

56%

62%

13%

28%

23%

47%

43%

15%

21%

13%

22%

30%

14%

21%

13%

29%

61%

22%

31%

Our congregation is spiritually

vital and alive

Our congregation is willing to

change to meet new challenges

Our congregation holds strong

beliefs and values

Our congregation celebrates its

denominational heritage and

identity

Our congregation is working for

social justice

Orthodox

Churches

Roman

Catholic

Church

Mainline

Protestant

Churches

Evangelical

Protestant

Churches

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2010 FACT Survey: Demographic Features of Membership. 2010 FACT Survey: Demographic Features of Membership.

Orthodox compared to Catholic and Protestant Churches Orthodox compared to Catholic and Protestant Churches

national average % of members in each category 54%

53%

23%

61%

46%

57%

40%

18%

77%

73%

58%

34%

27%

48%

62%

Female

College graduates

New to congregation in 5

years

Life long Church members

Live within fifteen minutes of

church

Orthodox

Churches

Roman

Catholic

Church

Protestant

Churches

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2010 FACT Survey: Impact of 20082010 FACT Survey: Impact of 2008--2009 Recession 2009 Recession on Financial Health of Orthodox Parisheson Financial Health of Orthodox Parishes

““How would you describe your parishHow would you describe your parish’’s financial s financial health?health?””

31%

45%

24%

60%

33%

7%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

In 2010 In 2000

% of US Orthodox parishes reporting:

In difficulty

Tight, but wemanage

Good or excellent

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2010 FACT Survey: Financial Situation of US Orthodox 2010 FACT Survey: Financial Situation of US Orthodox Parishes Compared to Catholic and Protestant Parishes Compared to Catholic and Protestant

CongregationsCongregations““How would you describe current (2010) financial health of How would you describe current (2010) financial health of

your parish / congregation?your parish / congregation?””

31%

45%

24%

40%

40%

20%

36%

41%

23%

44%

40%

16%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Orthodox

parishes

Roman

Catholic

parishes

Mainline

Protestant

congregations

Evangelical

Protestant

congregations

% of parishes / congregations reporting:

In difficulty

Tight, but

we manage

Good or

excellent

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7

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Some important findings from 2007 Some important findings from 2007 ““Orthodox Orthodox

Church TodayChurch Today”” study: the US national survey of study: the US national survey of

parishioners in the Greek Orthodox parishioners in the Greek Orthodox

Archdiocese of America and Orthodox Church Archdiocese of America and Orthodox Church

in Americain America

What are most urgent issues What are most urgent issues

in the Church life from the perspective of lay in the Church life from the perspective of lay

members of Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of members of Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of

America (GOA) and Orthodox Church in America (GOA) and Orthodox Church in

America (OCA)?America (OCA)? 26

22%32%Sharing ministry with laity

23%28%Lack of clear professional standards for priests

34%25%Process of selecting bishops

25%32%Recruiting priests from converts to Orthodoxy

31%39%Relationship between American Orthodox Churches and Mother Churches in the Old World

40%45%Issue of “ethnic” versus “American” parishes

44%46%Representation of the local parish at decision making on the diocesan and national level

27%52%Issue of interfaith and inter-Christian marriages

54%63%Relationship between mainstream American culture and traditions and requirements of the Orthodox Church

77%84%Issue of youth and young adults leaving Orthodox Church

OCAGOA

% of parishioners saying that the following subjects are “VERY IMPORTANT” to be discussed in Church

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The good message:The good message: Compared to US RomanCompared to US Roman--Catholics, Catholics, American Orthodox Christians have a strong religious American Orthodox Christians have a strong religious

identity and Church preferenceidentity and Church preference

% who agreed with following statements

55%

78%

87%

83%

89%

70%

I cannot imagine being anything but

Orthodox/Catholic

Orthodox Christianity contains greater

share of truth than other religions do

It is very important to me that the

younger generation of my family grow

up as Orthodox Christians/Roman

Catholics

GOA and OCA members US Roman Catholics

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The bad message:The bad message:strong Orthodox identity does NOT mean that strong Orthodox identity does NOT mean that

““people in the pewspeople in the pews”” view their religious view their religious obligations the way they are expected by the obligations the way they are expected by the

ChurchChurch

Survey data tell us that regular Church attendance,

obeying the priest and observing Great Lent are

seen by majority of GOA and OCA parishioners

as nonnon--significantsignificant for being a “good Orthodox”

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8

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Please, indicate if you think a person can be a good Orthodox Please, indicate if you think a person can be a good Orthodox Christian Christian withoutwithout performing these actionsperforming these actions% of GOA and OCA members saying that he/she still can be a good Orthodox Christian without doing the following

3%Without believing that in Eucharist, the bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus

27%Without donating time and money to help parish

40%Without their marriage being approved by Church

50%Without observing Lent and fasting on certain days

28%Without donating time and money to help the poor

2%Without believing that Jesus rose from the dead

53%Without obeying the priest

60%Without going to church every Sunday

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Generally, Orthodox Christians DO NOT favor the Generally, Orthodox Christians DO NOT favor the idea of ordination of womenidea of ordination of women

% of those who would support women in following roles

36%23%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Women being deacons

GOA members OCA members

14%6%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Women being priests

GOA members OCA members

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Orthodox men and women have similarly negative Orthodox men and women have similarly negative opinions on ordination of womenopinions on ordination of women

% of male and female respondents who would support women in following roles

28% 29%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Women being deacons

Orthodox men

Orthodox women

9% 11%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Women being priests

Orthodox men Orthodox women 32

Not all Orthodox laity are equally Not all Orthodox laity are equally ““OrthodoxOrthodox””in their personal in their personal ““micromicro--theologiestheologies””

When you think about your theological position and approach to church life, which word best describes you?

28% 40% 28% 4%

28% 42% 26% 4%

OCA members

GOA members

I am Conservative. OC should avoid changes in its life and theology

I am Traditional. Any changes in OC should be evolutionary

I am Moderate. I am willing to accept new developments and changes inOC depending on local circumstancesI am Liberal. I am willing to initiate and promote new developments and

changes in OC

8

9

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Orthodox Christians in America are deeply divided Orthodox Christians in America are deeply divided among themselves on subject of evolution versus among themselves on subject of evolution versus

creationism. creationism.

40%

20%

40%

42%

21%

37%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

GOA laity OCA laity

Do you agree with the statement "Evolutionary

theory is compatible with the idea of God as

Creator?"

Disagree

Neutral/Unsure

Agree

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Orthodox Christians are also divided among Orthodox Christians are also divided among themselves on teaching of evolution versus themselves on teaching of evolution versus

creationism in the schools. creationism in the schools.

34%

35%

31%

31%

31%

38%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

GOA laity OCA laity

Would you favor or oppose teaching creationism

INSTEAD of evolution in public schools?

Oppose

Neutral/Unsure

Favor

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An overwhelming majority ofAn overwhelming majority of AmericanAmerican Orthodox Orthodox Christians DO NOT support secularity of education Christians DO NOT support secularity of education

in the public schools. in the public schools.

31%

16%

53%

23%

16%

61%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

GOA laity OCA laity

Do you agree with the statement "It is important

that public schools keep religion and religious

issues 'out of classrooms'"

Disagree

Neutral/Unsure

Agree

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And How And How ““DifferentDifferent”” Are We? Are We?

Some Interesting Facts about American Some Interesting Facts about American Orthodox Christians Versus US Roman Orthodox Christians Versus US Roman

Catholics and Protestants Catholics and Protestants

Source: 2009 US Religious Landscape Survey

by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life

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American Orthodox Christians have higher income American Orthodox Christians have higher income

level than Roman Catholics and Protestantslevel than Roman Catholics and Protestants

28%

29%

24%

20%

19%

30%

20%

31%

21%

33%

21%

25%

13%

29%

24%

34%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Orthodox

Christians

Roman

Catholics

Mainline

Protestants

Evangelical

Protestatnts

Annual Income Level

Under $30,000

$30,000-under

$50,000

$50,000-under

$100,000

$100,000+

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Which is not surprising,Which is not surprising, becausebecause American Orthodox American Orthodox Christians also have higher education level than Christians also have higher education level than

Roman Catholics and ProtestantsRoman Catholics and Protestants

46%

22%

26%

6%

26%

21%

36%

17%

34%

24%

34%

8%

20%

24%

40%

16%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Orthodox

Christians

Roman

Catholics

Mainline

Protestants

Evangelical

Protestatnts

Educational Level

Less than High

School

High School

Some College

College Grad

and PostGrad

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American Orthodox Christians are more American Orthodox Christians are more ““liberalliberal”” in in their political preferences than Roman Catholics or their political preferences than Roman Catholics or

ProtestantsProtestants

50%

35%

15%

48%

33%

19%

43%

41%

15%

34%

50%

16%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Orthodox

Christians

Roman

Catholics

Mainline

Protestants

Evangelical

Protestatnts

In politics today, do you consider yourself a

Republican, Democrat or Indepentent?

Independent

Republican

lean

Democrat lean

40

In their attitudes towards abortion, 62% of American In their attitudes towards abortion, 62% of American Orthodox Christians are Orthodox Christians are ““pro choicepro choice”” and only 30% and only 30%

““pro lifepro life””

62%

30%

8%

48%

45%

7%

62%

32%

7%

33%

61%

6%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Orthodox

Christians

Roman

Catholics

Mainline

Protestants

Evangelical

Protestatnts

Don't know

Abortion should be ILLEGAL in all or most cases

Abortion should be LEGAL in all or most cases

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Vast majority of American Orthodox Christians are Vast majority of American Orthodox Christians are quite flexible in interpreting official Church teachingsquite flexible in interpreting official Church teachings

68%

28%

4%

77%

19%

4%

82%

14%

4%

53%

41%

6%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Orthodox

Christians

Roman

Catholics

Mainline

Protestants

Evangelical

Protestatnts

Which of the following statements comes CLOSEST to

your view? Neither/Both/Don't know

There is only ONE true way to interpret the teachings of my religion

There is MORE than one true way to interpret the teachings of my religion

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Orthodox Christians DO NOT practice their faith in a Orthodox Christians DO NOT practice their faith in a particularly strong manner: they attend Church less particularly strong manner: they attend Church less

frequently than Roman Catholics or Evangelical frequently than Roman Catholics or Evangelical

ChristiansChristians

34%

21%

45%

42%

19%

39%

34%

19%

47%

58%

14%

28%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Orthodox

Christians

Roman

Catholics

Mainline

Protestants

Evangelical

Protestatnts

Aside from weddings and funerals, how often do

you attend religious services?

Less than once

a month

Few times a

month

At least once a

week

43

New Source of Various Information on US New Source of Various Information on US Orthodox Churches: Available on Orthodox Churches: Available on Amazon.comAmazon.com

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When you’re back home, look for more information on Orthodox Church life in US at:

www.orthodoxreality.orgwww.orthodoxreality.org

or write me to Akrindatch@aol.com

Now is time for difficult questions: please, ask!

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