Fast Questions and Fast Answers about American Orthodox Christian Monasteries

There are eighty Orthodox Christian monasteries in the USA which represent great variety of ethnic and liturgical traditions. In fact, America is, probably, the only place in the world where - within the same country - one can visit Greek, Russian, Romanian, Serbian Orthodox monasteries and experience their different 'ethnic' liturgical styles, worship practices, church architecture, musicology and iconography. Read more »

Fast Questions and Fast Answers about the Geography of Orthodoxy in America

Fast Questions and Fast Answers about the Geography of Orthodoxy in America is the second essay in a group of mini-reports about Orthodox Church life in America. Surprising, stimulating, and, at the same time, important facts about the geographic distribution of Orthodox parishes and church members in America are discussed in this essay. Read more »

Fast Questions and Fast Answers about American Orthodox Bishops

Based on questions that American Orthodox hierarchs often receive from clergy and parishioners, this essay offers readers plenty of interesting facts about their lives as Bishops, as well as who they are as people. Read more »

New Map of Bishops and Parishes Available on the Assembly Website

A new map, Orthodox Bishops and Parishes in the United States, is now available on the Assembly's website. The updated map shows: a) locations, names and jurisdictions of all active Orthodox bishops in the United States and b) the total number of Orthodox parishes in each county. Read more »

Orthodox Christian Churches in 21st Century America: A Parish Life Study

The study 'Orthodox Christian Churches in 21st Century America' offers a comprehensive picture of the lives of local American Orthodox parishes, including such aspects as membership, worship, programs, religious education, youth, usage of electronic technologies, and much more. In addition, the study also addressed the crucial question: 'How are Orthodox Christian parishes faring today among the many other American local religious communities?' Read more »

Map of Bishops and Parishes in the United States

This map shows the names, jurisdictions and locations of all canonical, active Orthodox bishops in the United States. The total number of Orthodox parishes in each county is also indicated. Read more »

Young Adults and Young Adult Ministries in American Orthodox Christian Parishes

The subject of young Orthodox Church members was a major topic on the agenda of the recent Annual General Assembly Meeting. This report was prepared in order to help Assembly address our common concern about the engagement of youth and young adults in the lives of American Orthodox parishes. Read more »

Atlas of American Orthodox Monasteries Electronic Edition is Now Available

The electronic version of the widely popular Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries has been released by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA and made available free of charge to everyone. Read more »

Go and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach in US Orthodox Parishes

The first ever, national study on evangelization and outreach in Orthodox parishes in the United States has been released by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA. The report 'Go and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach in US Orthodox Parishes' explores the practices and strategies developed by some Orthodox parishes that can be viewed as 'exemplary' in their missionary and outreach efforts. Read more »

Assembly Releases New Study on Orthodox Generosity and Giving to the Church

The Assembly of Bishops has released a new study today, "Exploring Orthodox Generosity: Giving in US Orthodox Parishes. Read more »

Twelve Facts About the Generosity of Our Church Members: Giving in US Orthodox Christian Parishes

This report offers numerous insights into how our Church members contribute to their parishes and what parishes can do to increase the generosity and donations of their members. Parish clergy and lay leadership will find this publication helpful when dealing with money matters in their parishes. Read more »

Exploring Orthodox Generosity: Giving in US Orthodox Parishes

The study addresses religious giving of Orthodox Church members to their home parishes and to wider religious causes and explores the differences in giving between members of various Orthodox jurisdictions and parishioners according to certain demographics. The study also includes suggestions for how Orthodox parishes might increase the generosity of parishioners. A summary of the study can be read here. Read more »

Study of Educational Institutions Offering Programs in Orthodox Theology in the United States

The study focuses on US educational institutions that offer programs in Orthodox theology. It is based on a survey of 12 Orthodox theological schools in the US. The report examines degrees and programs offered by these schools, questions of their accreditation, student body, and faculty. Data-gathering was finalized in September 2014; all data was accurate at that time. Read more »

Orthodox Christian Fellowship on US College Campuses

The report focuses on Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), the official collegiate campus ministry program of the Assembly. For the study, student leaders were surveyed in 130 OCF chapters. What types of challenges do OCF chapters face? What are their needs? What does it take to be a successful and vibrant OCF chapter? The report answers these and other questions from the viewpoints of active student OCF leaders.  Read more »

Orthodox Monastic Communities in the United States

There are more than 70 Orthodox monastic communities in the United States today. There exists significant diversity among these communities, including in their size, liturgical practices, openness to outside visitors, and educational programs. The Assembly’s Committee for Monastic Communities is tasked with studying and comparing the different monastic communities and practices in the United States. Accordingly, this study was designed as a first step toward that goal. Read more »

Ten Facts about Geographic Patterns of the Orthodox Church Life in the United States 

In the US today, there are approximately 800,000 Orthodox “adherents”— persons who participate (either regularly or occasionally) in the life of an Orthodox parish. This report provides detailed geographic information about Orthodox Church adherents, parishes, and monasteries in the US, including: geographic distribution of parishes and adherents by state and county; a state-by-state look at which jurisdictions have the largest numbers of adherents; and state-by-state and county-by-county growth in the number of Orthodox parishes between the period of 2000-2010. In addition this report offers discussion on possible regions for the future founding of new Orthodox parishes. The report is accompanied by six state and county-level maps. Read more » 

Eight Facts About Church Attendance in US Orthodox Christian Churches 

In the US today, there are approximately 800,000 Orthodox adherents, yet only 26% of them attend church on a regular weekly basis. This report explores regularity of church attendance by jurisdiction, state, and parish size. The report examines the correlation between parish size and frequency of church attendance. The report considers why some states have higher church attendance than others and suggests which states might make good “candidates” for new Orthodox parishes. The report is accompanied by three maps. Read more »

Usage of English Language, Ethnic Identity and Ethnic Culture in American Orthodox Christian Churches  

This report is based on data from a national survey of Orthodox parishes administered in 2011. Each canonical Orthodox parish in the US was asked to respond to four questions on English-language usage during Sunday services and parish ethnic culture and identity. 98.6% of all US Orthodox parishes participated in the survey. Results of this study are presented jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction and also state-by-state. Special attention is given to the question of measuring the strength of ethnic identity and ethnic culture in US Orthodox churches. The report also examines the correlation between ethnic identity/English language usage and regularity of church attendance. The report is accompanied by four maps. Read more » 

Holy Toll: The Impact of the 2008-2009 Recession on US Orthodox Christian Churches 

This report examines the budgets and overall financial health of parishes in the three largest American Orthodox jurisdictions—Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA), Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese (AOCA), and Orthodox Church in America (OCA)—in the wake of the 2008-2009 recession. The report looks at the financial health of Orthodox parishes in 2000 vs. 2010; how the recession impacted parishes’ income, operations, and church members; and whether the three jurisdictions were equally affected by the recession. The report also compares the recession’s effect on Orthodox parishes versus Protestant congregations and Roman Catholic parishes. Results are based on a 2010 survey in which 368 GOA, AOCA, and OCA parishes participated. Read more »

Five Interesting Facts about Orthodox Church Geography and Demography in the US

This report summarizes important information about membership in Orthodox churches in the US; regularity of church attendance; geographic distribution of Orthodox parishes; strength of ethnic culture in American Orthodox churches; and Orthodox monastic communities in the US. Data are presented jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction and state-by-state. The report is accompanied by seven maps. Read more »

Fast Questions and Fast Answers about US Orthodox Churches 

This report provides short and easy answers to the following eight questions:

• Geographically, how widespread are Orthodox churches throughout the territory of the United States?
• Where are the areas with the strongest Orthodox presence in America?
• What proportion are Orthodox Church members of the general US population, state-by-state and county-by-county?
• Is there anything remarkable about the geography of US Orthodox churches?
• How large are US Orthodox churches?
• Are US Orthodox churches growing?
• How "ethnic" are US Orthodox churches?
• What percentage of Orthodox Church members attend church on a weekly basis?

The report is accompanied by five county and state-level maps. Read more »