Title: Young Men Flock to Orthodox Christianity, Seeking Tradition and Stability
Ben Christenson, 27, of Fairfax, Virginia, was raised Anglican but grew disillusioned with the changing traditions and values of his church. He converted to Orthodox Christianity in 2022, drawn to its 2,000-year history and traditional practices. Christenson is not alone; a survey found that Orthodox churches saw a 78% increase in converts in 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Father Josiah Trenham, who has led Saint Andrew’s Orthodox Church in Riverside, California, for nearly three decades, has noticed a significant uptick in interest in Orthodoxy, particularly among young men. He attributes this to the “feminization” of mainline Christianity, which has led to a decline in male participation.
Elijah Wee Sit, 17, from Toronto, was raised Evangelical but became disillusioned with the emotional and feminine aspects of his church. He is converting to Orthodoxy, drawn to its traditional and masculine practices. Wee Sit’s father, an immigrant from the Philippines, is supportive of his son’s decision.
Zachary Porcu, a catechist at Trenham’s church, notes that the internet has played a significant role in the growth of Orthodoxy, with many people discovering the faith online. He believes that Orthodoxy presents young men with an adventure and a challenge, which appeals to their desire for self-improvement and tradition.
Psychologist and author Jordan Peterson has also noticed a growing trend among young men towards Orthodoxy, citing its ritualized and traditional nature as a major draw. He compares Orthodox services to a ballet, where the ritualized movements and architecture create a sense of stability and tradition.
Bailey Mullins, 26, grew up Baptist in South Carolina but converted to Orthodoxy after becoming disillusioned with the changing values and politics of his church. He says that Orthodoxy requires young people to put God over themselves, which appeals to his desire for stability and tradition.
Mullins notes that Orthodoxy is often seen as more masculine than other forms of Christianity, which emphasizes emotional experience and self-fulfillment. He believes that young people are drawn to Orthodoxy because it is not about them, but about God, and that this sense of humility and tradition is increasingly rare in modern society.