Orthodox Christianity Sees Unprecedented Growth Among Young Americans

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA — A remarkable shift is occurring within Orthodox Christianity in the United States. Reports indicate that attendance at Orthodox churches has reached record levels, as more conservative young men are drawn to its teachings and practices. The Very Rev. Andrew Damick, an Antiochian Orthodox priest, noted, “In the whole history of the Orthodox Church in America, this has never been seen.”

Historically, Orthodox Christianity represented a small segment of the U.S. population, approximately one percent. Many of its adherents were immigrants from countries like Greece and Ukraine. In recent years, however, many children of these immigrants have sought faith in other denominations. Now, a new movement is emerging, largely fueled by social media influencers and online communities. The New York Times reported on November 19 about this increase in young attendees.

The influx of these energetic newcomers is noteworthy, with clergy across the nation grappling with how to accommodate these potential converts. The report details that churches are reported to be struggling as they face “more prospective converts than existing clergy can reasonably handle on their own.”

The appeal of Orthodoxy particularly resonates with young men searching for a more structured, challenging religious experience. Many say it provides hard truths and reinforces their masculinity, echoing themes found in the so-called manosphere. Damick emphasized this trend by stating, “This is new ground for everyone.”

Underlining this generational change, recent data from the Pew Research Center indicates that over 60 percent of Orthodox Christians in the United States are male, a stark contrast to 46 percent among evangelicals. The community is also notably younger, with 24 percent of adult adherents aged under thirty. This trend appears to challenge the long-held assumption that younger generations are uniformly moving away from religion.

Overall, the growing enthusiasm for Orthodox Christianity reflects a larger movement among young men in America who are gravitating towards traditional religious practices, a trend that is also being observed in the Catholic Church.