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Some important facts about Some important facts about American Orthodox Christianity and American Orthodox Christianity and
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of AmericaAmerica
Major sources of information:
First National Census of US Orthodox Christian Churches (2010, preliminary data)
“Orthodox Church Today” study (2008, national survey of laity in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Orthodox Church in America)
“Evolving Visions of the Orthodox Priesthood in America” study (2006-2007, national survey of parish clergy in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Orthodox Church in America)
US Religious Landscape Survey (2009, Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life)
Where are Orthodox Christian Churches?Where are Orthodox Christian Churches?
Since 1980s, several new Since 1980s, several new developments in American Orthodox developments in American Orthodox
Christian Churches:Christian Churches:Geographic redistribution: dynamic
growth in South (esp. Florida) and in West (esp. California)
Fast growth of Oriental Orthodox Churches (1970 - 2 Coptic parishes, 2010 - 170)
Fast growing presence of converts (former Roman Catholics and Protestants) among both Orthodox clergy and laity
Some Orthodox Churches in US Some Orthodox Churches in US become “All American” and some become “All American” and some
remain “ethnically based”remain “ethnically based” "Our parish has a strong ethnic heritage that we are
trying to preserve:" % parishes reporting "This is true"
19%
22%
34%
50%
52%
53%
55%
79%
Antiochian Archdiocese
Orthodox Church in America
Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Serbian Orthodox Church
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
Romanian Episcopate / OCA
Albanian Diocese / OCA
Syrian Oriental Orthodox Church
How strong are today Hellenic culture How strong are today Hellenic culture and Greek identity in GOA parishes?and Greek identity in GOA parishes?
Only 14% parishioners and 28% clergy were born outside USA
At the same time, Greek is still first “mother” language for 45% clergy and 42% parishioners
52% of parishioners agree with the statement “Our parish has strong ethnic heritage that we are trying to preserve”
Average proportion of Greek and Average proportion of Greek and English used in GOA parishes as the English used in GOA parishes as the
language of sermon, liturgy and church language of sermon, liturgy and church choir:choir:
56% 44%
30% 70%
6% 94%
Language ofChurch Choir
Language ofLiturgy
Language ofSermon
Greek English
A significant number of converts (29%) A significant number of converts (29%) among GOA lay members but much less among GOA lay members but much less
among GOA parish clergy (12%) among GOA parish clergy (12%)
71%
12%
16%
1%
88%
4%7%
1%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
GOA laity GOA clergy
What was your Church affiliation before you became an Orthodox Christian?
Former Agnostic /No religion
FormerProtestant
Former RomanCatholic
Cradle Orthodox:was born andraised Orthodox
The good message:The good message: GOA members have GOA members have a very strong religious identity and clear a very strong religious identity and clear Church preferenceChurch preference % who agreed with following statements
55%
78%
88%
80%
93%
70%
I cannot imagine being anything butOrthodox/Catholic
Orthodox Christianity contains greatershare of truth than other religions do
It is very important to me that the youngergeneration of my family grow up as
Orthodox Christians/Roman Catholics
GOA members US Roman Catholics
The bad message:The bad message: strong Orthodox strong Orthodox identity does NOT mean that “people in identity does NOT mean that “people in
the pews” view their religious obligations the pews” view their religious obligations the way they are expected by the Churchthe way they are expected by the Church
The survey data tell us that regular Church attendance, obeying the priest and observing Great Lent are seen by majority of parishioners as non-significant for being a “good Orthodox”
Please, indicate if you think a person can be a good Orthodox Christian without performing these actions: % GOA members saying that one still can be % GOA members saying that one still can be a good a good Orthodox Christian Orthodox Christian withoutwithout doing the doing the followingfollowingWithout going to church every Sunday 67
%
Without obeying the priest 56%
Without observing Lent and fasting on certain days
56%
Without having marriage being approved by Church
35%
Without donating time and money to help the poor
31%
Without donating time and money to help parish
30%
Without believing that in Eucharist, the bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus
4%
Without believing that Jesus rose from the dead
3%
Not all GOA clergy and laity are Not all GOA clergy and laity are equally “Orthodox” in their personal equally “Orthodox” in their personal “micro-theologies”“micro-theologies” When you think about your theological position and approach to church life, which word best describes you?
21% 49% 26% 4%
28% 42% 26% 4%
GOA clergy
GOA laity
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 andchanges in OC
Generally, GOA clergy and laity DO Generally, GOA clergy and laity DO NOT support the idea of ordination of NOT support the idea of ordination of
womenwomen% of those who would support women in
following roles
36% 33%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Women being deacons
GOA members GOA clergy
14%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Women being priests
GOA members GOA clergy
GOA men and women have similar GOA men and women have similar opinions on ordination of womenopinions on ordination of women
% of male and female GOA members who would support women in following
roles
34% 38%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Women being deacons
GOA men GOA women
13% 16%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Women being priests
GOA men GOA women
GOA members are divided among GOA members are divided among themselves on teaching of evolution themselves on teaching of evolution versus creationism in the schools. versus creationism in the schools.
34%
35%
31%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
GOA laity
Would you favor or oppose teaching creationism INSTEAD of evolution in public schools?
Oppose
Neutral/Unsure
Favor
An overwhelming majority ofAn overwhelming majority of GOA laity GOA laity and especially clergyand especially clergy DO NOT support DO NOT support secularity of education in the public secularity of education in the public
schools. schools.
31%
16%
53%
20%
14%
66%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
GOA laity GOA clergy
Do you agree with the statement "It is important that public schools keep religion and religious
issues 'out of classrooms'"
Disagree
Neutral/Unsure
Agree
The subject of “Orthodox unity” in America The subject of “Orthodox unity” in America has been discussed for a long time. What do has been discussed for a long time. What do
you think about current situation and possible you think about current situation and possible future developments?future developments?
47% 37% 8% 8%
32% 48% 13% 7%
OCA members
GOA members
Very little has been done so far to achieve this goal. We need more consistentefforts and should act more intentionally
We are on the right path. Orthodox unity will be eventually achieved throughincreasing cooperation among various Orthodox jurisdictions - the way it goesnowIssue of Orthodox unity is unnecessarily overemphasized in our church life.Other issues are much more important for the future of Orthodoxy in America
Other answers
In GOA, more clergy than laity support In GOA, more clergy than laity support faster movement towards united faster movement towards united
Orthodox ChurchOrthodox Church
32% 48% 13% 7%
40% 36% 13% 11%
GOA laity
GOA clergy
Very little has been done so far to achieve this goal. We need more consistentefforts and should act more intentionally
We are on the right path. Orthodox unity will be eventually achieved throughincreasing cooperation among various Orthodox jurisdictions - the way it goesnowIssue of Orthodox unity is unnecessarily overemphasized in our church life.Other issues are much more important for the future of Orthodoxy in America
Other answers
So, what is bottom line?So, what is bottom line?
Both in GOA and OCA, both among clergy and laity, neither supporters of faster movement towards united American Orthodoxy nor those who are comfortable with current arrangements can claim absolute absolute majority
What are most urgent issues What are most urgent issues
in the Church life from the in the Church life from the
perspective of perspective of
GOA clergy and laity? GOA clergy and laity?
% of laity and clergy saying that the following subjects are “VERY IMPORTANT” to be discussed in Church
GOA laity
GOA clergy
Issue of youth and young adults leaving Orthodox Church 84% 80%
Relationship between mainstream American culture and traditions and requirements of the Orthodox Church
63% 43%
Issue of interfaith and inter-Christian marriages 52% No data
Representation of the local parish at decision making on the diocesan and national level 46% 45%
Issue of “ethnic” versus “American” parishes 45% 43%Recruiting priests from converts to Orthodoxy 32% 29%Sharing ministry with laity 32% 38%Lack of clear professional standards for priests 28% 33%Process of selecting bishops 25% 47%Family problems of Orthodox priests 23% 57%Ordination of women 13% 10%
GOA clergy and GOA laity have somewhat GOA clergy and GOA laity have somewhat
different opinions on how parish life should different opinions on how parish life should be organizedbe organized
% of laity and clergy who agreed with following statements
18%
47%
42%
32%
I am willing to tolerate differentviewpoints on Church life in myparish even if it spills over into
conflict sometimes
It is a good idea if Orthodox parisheswere to choose their own priest from
among available ordained clergy
GOA laity GOA clergy
Priestly vocation is viewed quite Priestly vocation is viewed quite positively by both GOA laity and clergypositively by both GOA laity and clergy
77%
18%
5%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Laity: If you had a son
and he considered
becoming priest, would
you...
Would discourage himUnsureWould encourage him
75%
14%
7%
4%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Clergy: If you had your choice again, would you
enter priesthood?
Definitely Yes Probably Yes
Unsure Probably Not
What is total membership in GOA and What is total membership in GOA and in other American Orthodox in other American Orthodox
Churches?Churches?2010 National Census of American Orthodox
Churches asked each local parish to answer 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?
Combined, for all GOA parishes in the Combined, for all GOA parishes in the US :US :
The answer to the first question is 535,000535,000 That is, 535,000 persons nationwide participate in GOA church life or are at least known to the local parishes
The answer to the second question is
121,000121,000 That is, 121,000 persons are praying in all GOA churches on a typical Sunday
The ratio between second (121,000) and first (535,000) figures is 23%23% That is, 23% of the total GOA membership participate in church life on a regular weekly basis
In terms of total membership, GOA is In terms of total membership, GOA is larger than all other US Orthodox larger than all other US Orthodox
Churches combinedChurches combined
535
86
74
68
28
23
12.4
11.2
10.8
1.7
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Greek Orth. Archdiocese
Orth. Church in America
Antiochian Archdiocese
Serbian Orth. Church
ROCOR
Ukrainian Orth. Church
Parishes of MP
Romanian Archdiocese
Carpatho-Russian Dioc.
Bulgarian Diocese
Total membership including children (1000)
The average size of GOA parishes is The average size of GOA parishes is also larger than in all other US also larger than in all other US
Orthodox ChurchesOrthodox Churches
1010
158
297
516
221
400
361
128
79
Greek Orth. Archdiocese
Orth. Church in America
Antiochian Archdiocese
Serbian Orth. Church
Ukrainian Orth. Church
Parishes of MP
Romanian Archdiocese
Carpatho-Russian Dioc.
Bulgarian Diocese
Average number of persons (including children)associated with the life of a single parish
However, compared to some other However, compared to some other Orthodox Churches, smaller proportion Orthodox Churches, smaller proportion
of GOA members attend church regularlyof GOA members attend church regularly % of members who are present in the church on a
typical Sunday in comparison with total membership 23%
43%
37%
22%
33%
31%
16%
19%
47%
54%
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
Orthodox Church in America
Antiochian Archdiocese
Serbian Orthodox Church
ROCOR
Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Parishes of MP
Romanian Archdiocese
Carpatho-Russian Diocese
Bulgarian Diocese
The largest GOA parishes by the total The largest GOA parishes by the total number of persons (including children) number of persons (including children)
associated with the parish’s life:associated with the parish’s life:
St. Demetrios/St. Catherine-St. George, Astoria, NY – St. Demetrios/St. Catherine-St. George, Astoria, NY – 10,00010,000
St. Nicholas Shrine Church, Flushing, NY – 8,000St. Nicholas Shrine Church, Flushing, NY – 8,000
St. Nicholas Cathedral, Tarpon Springs, FL – 8,000St. Nicholas Cathedral, Tarpon Springs, FL – 8,000
Three Hierarchs Church, Brooklyn, NY – 5,000Three Hierarchs Church, Brooklyn, NY – 5,000
St. Paraskevi Shrine Church, Greenlawn, NY – 5,000St. Paraskevi Shrine Church, Greenlawn, NY – 5,000
Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral, Merrillville, IN – Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral, Merrillville, IN – 5,0005,000
St. John the Baptist Church, Las Vegas, NV – 5,000St. John the Baptist Church, Las Vegas, NV – 5,000
The largest GOA parishes by the number of The largest GOA parishes by the number of persons (including children) who attend persons (including children) who attend
church on a typical Sundaychurch on a typical Sunday
St. Nicholas Shrine Church, Flushing, NY – 1.600St. Nicholas Shrine Church, Flushing, NY – 1.600
St. Demetrios/St.Catherine – St. George, Astoria, NY St. Demetrios/St.Catherine – St. George, Astoria, NY – 1.200– 1.200
St. Sophia Cathedral, Washington DC – 1.000St. Sophia Cathedral, Washington DC – 1.000
Three Hierarchs Church, Brooklyn, NY – 900Three Hierarchs Church, Brooklyn, NY – 900
St. Nicholas Church, San Jose, CA - 850St. Nicholas Church, San Jose, CA - 850
St. Vasilios Church, Peabody, MA – 800St. Vasilios Church, Peabody, MA – 800
And How “Different” Are We? And How “Different” Are We?
Some Interesting Facts about Some Interesting Facts about American Orthodox Christians Versus American Orthodox Christians Versus US Roman Catholics and Protestants US Roman Catholics and Protestants
Source: 2009 US Religious Landscape Survey
by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life
American Orthodox Christians have higher American Orthodox Christians have higher income level than Roman Catholics and income level than Roman Catholics and
ProtestantsProtestants
28%
29%
24%
20%
19%
30%
20%
31%
21%
33%
21%
25%
13%
29%
24%
34%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
OrthodoxChristians
RomanCatholics
MainlineProtestants
EvangelicalProtestatnts
Annual Income Level
Under $30,000
$30,000-under$50,000
$50,000-under$100,000
$100,000+
Which is not surprising,Which is not surprising, becausebecause American American Orthodox Christians also have higher Orthodox Christians also have higher
education level than Roman Catholics and education level than Roman Catholics and ProtestantsProtestants
46%
22%
26%
6%
26%
21%
36%
17%
34%
24%
34%
8%
20%
24%
40%
16%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
OrthodoxChristians
RomanCatholics
MainlineProtestants
EvangelicalProtestatnts
Educational Level
Less than HighSchool
High School
Some College
College Gradand PostGrad
American Orthodox Christians are more American Orthodox Christians are more “liberal” in their political preferences than “liberal” in their political preferences than
Roman Catholics or ProtestantsRoman Catholics or Protestants
50%
35%
15%
48%
33%
19%
43%
41%
15%
34%
50%
16%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
OrthodoxChristians
RomanCatholics
MainlineProtestants
EvangelicalProtestatnts
In politics today, do you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat or Indepentent?
Independent
Republicanlean
Democrat lean
In their attitudes towards abortion, 62% of In their attitudes towards abortion, 62% of American Orthodox Christians are “pro American Orthodox Christians are “pro
choice” and only 30% “pro life”choice” and only 30% “pro life”
62%
30%
8%
48%
45%
7%
62%
32%
7%
33%
61%
6%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
OrthodoxChristians
RomanCatholics
MainlineProtestants
EvangelicalProtestatnts
Don't know
Abortion should be ILLEGAL in all or most cases
Abortion should be LEGAL in all or most cases
Vast majority of American Orthodox Vast majority of American Orthodox Christians are quite flexible in interpreting Christians are quite flexible in interpreting
official Church teachingsofficial Church teachings
68%
28%
4%
77%
19%
4%
82%
14%
4%
53%
41%
6%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
OrthodoxChristians
RomanCatholics
MainlineProtestants
EvangelicalProtestatnts
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 techings of my religion
Compared to Roman Catholics and Compared to Roman Catholics and Protestants, Protestants,
Orthodox Christians in the US are LESS Orthodox Christians in the US are LESS likely to see God as a person and MORE likely to see God as a person and MORE
likely as an impersonal forcelikely as an impersonal force
49%
34%
17%
60%
29%
11%
62%
26%
12%
79%
13%
8%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
OrthodoxChristians
RomanCatholics
MainlineProtestants
EvangelicalProtestatnts
Which come CLOSEST to your view of God: God as a person with whom people can have a relationship OR
God as an impersonal force?
Neither/Both/Don't know
Impersonalforce
Personal God
Orthodox Christians DO NOT practice their Orthodox Christians DO NOT practice their faith in a particularly strong manner: they faith in a particularly strong manner: they attend Church less frequently than Roman attend Church less frequently than Roman
Catholics or Evangelical ChristiansCatholics or Evangelical Christians
34%
21%
45%
42%
19%
39%
34%
19%
47%
58%
14%
28%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
OrthodoxChristians
RomanCatholics
MainlineProtestants
EvangelicalProtestatnts
Aside from weddings and funerals, how often do you attend religious services?
Less than oncea month
Few times amonth
At least once aweek
When you’re back home, look for more information on realities of Orthodox Church life in the US at: