As reported by ReligionNews.com on August 23, 2024

While many American churches transitioned to online services during the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly half of U.S. Orthodox Christians continued attending in-person liturgies, including the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, which faced unique challenges and growth opportunities. A new study by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research reveals that Orthodox churches were slower to adopt virtual worship, with only 53% offering remote options by spring 2023, compared to 75% of all U.S. congregations.

This reluctance contributed to a decline in participation during the pandemic’s peak, yet by spring 2023, Orthodox churches had largely recovered in-person attendance, outpacing the national average, which remains 8% below pre-COVID-19 levels. Despite this recovery, Orthodox churches, including Greek Orthodox parishes, experienced a significant drop in volunteerism, decreasing from 40% in 2020 to 25% in 2023.

The study, led by Alexei Krindatch, national coordinator of the U.S. Census of Orthodox Christian Churches, highlights the complexity of how Orthodox congregations, especially those within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, navigated the pandemic. Notably, 44% of Orthodox churches, including Greek Orthodox, remained open during the pandemic, compared to just 12% of all U.S. congregations. This approach led to both membership gains and challenges, with an influx of new members, but also a struggle with declining participation and volunteer efforts.

Greek Orthodox churches, like Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Webster, MA, saw significant growth during the pandemic. The Rev. Luke Veronis, pastor of the church, described the pandemic as a “positive” experience for his parish, despite the political divisions within his congregation. The church grew from 150 regular attendees in 2019 to about 220 today, largely due to young adults under the age of 35 joining during the pandemic.

This growth was more pronounced in Orthodox churches that remained open and did not offer online services. By spring 2023, 15% of members in a typical Orthodox parish were newcomers who had joined since 2020, compared to 10% in other U.S. congregations. However, growth varied across different Orthodox jurisdictions, with the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) gaining more members than the Orthodox Church in America and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

Clergy like the Rev. Lawrence Margitich of St. Seraphim of Sarov Cathedral in Santa Rosa, CA, noted that the crisis led to increased interest in Orthodoxy, particularly from spiritual seekers who discovered the faith online. His parish doubled in size and saw a record number of baptisms during this period.

While the growth brings positive momentum, it also presents challenges, particularly as Orthodox churches, including Greek Orthodox parishes, navigate the influx of new members with diverse backgrounds and expectations. The study is part of a broader national project exploring the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on congregational life, with additional research planned for late 2024.