FACT Survey of US Eastern Orthodox Churches

1. Alexei Krindatch (akrindatch@aol.com)Ten Facts about US Eastern Orthodox Churches from the FACT study

2. FACT Survey of US Eastern Orthodox Churches • US total: about 1,900 Eastern Orthodox parishes (congregations) with 817,000 adherents. They belong to 15 national Orthodox Church bodies (“denominations”) • 45% of all adherents of US Eastern Orthodox Churches live in 5 states: NY (14%), CA (10%), IL (8%), PA (6.5%), MA (6% • Three major Orthodox Church bodies participated in FACT survey: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA), Orthodox Church in America (OCA), Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese (AOCA) • GOA, OCA and AOCA account for 70% of all US Orthodox parishes and for 80% of all US Orthodox Church adherents • FACT surveys were sent to all GOA, OCA, AOCA parishes 370 parishes completed questionnaires – 30% return rate

3. Fact 1 Orthodox parishes are much more “urban” than Roman Catholic parishes and Protestant congregations “How would you describe the location of your church building?”

4. Fact 2 Other than English languages are still much more present in Eastern Orthodox than in Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches

5. Fact 3 Compared to Protestant congregations and Roman Catholic parishes, demography of Eastern Orthodox parishes is different: • Members of Orthodox churches are better educated (% of persons with college degree) • Members of Orthodox churches spend longer time commuting to their churches • Eastern Orthodox parishes are less “female” than Roman Catholic parishes or Protestant congregations • There are fewer senior (65+) members among Orthodox parishioners than among Roman Catholics or Oldline Protestants • Surprisingly high % of converts from other religions

6. “Of your total regular participants estimate the percent who are…” (median %)

7. Fact 4 Theologically Orthodox Christians are much more conservative than Roman Catholics or Oldline Protestants“How would you describe theological outlook of the majority of your regularly participating adults?”

8. Fact 5 Being theologically conservative, Eastern Orthodox parishes are “technologically” – at least - as advanced as their Western Christian counterparts.

9. “Which of the following technologies does your congregation use on a regular basis?” (%)

10. Fact 6 The Eastern Orthodox Christians do not communicate much with religiously “others:” the level of ecumenical involvement of Eastern Orthodox parishes is significantly lower than among Roman Catholic parishes or Protestant congregations

11. “During past 12 months, has your parish / congregation been involved in any of the following ecumenical or interfaith activities?”

12. Fact 7 Reportedly, worship in Eastern Orthodox parishes is more “powerful” than in Roman Catholic and Protestant churches% of parishes / congregations reporting that following describe their week-end worship service “very well”

13. Fact 8 In their worship services Eastern Orthodox parishes sing a lot, but they don’t use musical instruments or “video effects”% of parishes / congregations reporting that following is “often” or “always” a part of their regular worship services

14. Fact 9 Financial health of Orthodox Parishes is worse compared to Catholic parishes and Protestant Congregations“How would you describe current (2010) financial health of your parish / congregation?”

15. Fact 10 Good news to conclude: Eastern Orthodox parishes grow in attendance more rapidly than Evangelical Protestant congregationsChange (%) in median average attendance: 2005-2010

16. New Source of Information on US Orthodox Churches (available on Amazon.com)

17. Look for more information on Orthodox Church life in US at: www.orthodoxreality.org or write me to Akrindatch@aol.com Now is time for difficult questions: please, ask!