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Alexei Krindatch, SCOBA ([email protected]) Orthodox Reality in America Orthodox Reality in America St.Tikhon Monastery (est. 1903), South Canaan, PA St.Nicholas Cathedral, Tarpon Springs. FL St.Gregory Theologian Church, Tampa, FL Panagia Vlahernon Monastery, Ocala, FL
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Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

Jan 12, 2015

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Page 1: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

Alexei Krindatch, SCOBA ([email protected])

Orthodox Reality in AmericaOrthodox Reality in America

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

St.Gregory Theologian Church, Tampa, FLPanagia Vlahernon Monastery, Ocala, FL

Page 2: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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)

Page 3: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

Where are Orthodox Christian Churches?Where are Orthodox Christian Churches?

Page 4: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 5: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 6: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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”

Page 7: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 8: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 9: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 10: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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”

Page 11: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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%

Page 12: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 13: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 14: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 15: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 16: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 17: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 18: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 19: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 20: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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?

Page 21: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

% 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%

Page 22: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 23: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 24: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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?

Page 25: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 26: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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)

Page 27: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 28: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 29: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

St. George, Piscataway, NJ – 6,000St. George, Piscataway, NJ – 6,000

St. Sophia Cathedral, Washington DC – 5,500St. Sophia Cathedral, Washington DC – 5,500

Holy Trinity Cathedral, Charlotte, NC – 5,500Holy Trinity Cathedral, Charlotte, NC – 5,500

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

Page 30: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Annunciation Cathedral, Baltimore, MD – 800Annunciation Cathedral, Baltimore, MD – 800

Holy Apostles Church, Westchester, IL – 800Holy Apostles Church, Westchester, IL – 800

Annunciation Cathedral, Columbus, OH – 800Annunciation Cathedral, Columbus, OH – 800

Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church, Brooklyn, NY – 800Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church, Brooklyn, NY – 800

Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church, Holmdel, NJ - 800Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church, Holmdel, NJ - 800

Page 31: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 32: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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+

Page 33: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 34: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 35: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 36: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 37: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 38: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

Page 39: Krindatch: 2010 Orthodox Census Power Point

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

http://hirr.hartsem.edu/research/orthodoxindex.html

or write to [email protected]

Now is time for difficult questions: please, ask!