Media reported on the interest in Orthodoxy among young people in the U.S.

The number of young people in the United States who are converting to Orthodoxy is growing. The Telegraph reported on January 4.

"Young, single men are flocking to the Orthodox Church, having discovered the 'masculine' Christian religion through Internet influencers," the piece said.

According to The Telegraph, some converts have said they are frustrated by the "feminization of the Protestant church" and are attracted to the authenticity of Orthodoxy.

Priests are now planning to open new parishes for the sake of the "tsunami" of young people who converted after the pandemic. They said most converts found the Orthodox Church by watching videos on the YouTube platform or listening to podcasts.

"A survey conducted in 2023 by the Institute for Orthodox Studies among Orthodox clergy in 20 parishes in 15 states by the Institute for Orthodox Studies found an 80% increase in the number of converts to the Orthodox Church in 2022 compared to the pre-pandemic level in 2019," the newspaper said.

It is specified that 60% of converts were men. According to journalists, many of them were attracted to the "masculine" nature of the church, which "emphasizes self-denial and physical overcoming of difficulties."

"Believers must endure services that can last more than five hours. They must also fast, sometimes for up to 40 days," the publication emphasized.

Emmanuel Castillo, an American who converted to Orthodoxy, expressed the opinion that priests "look like men, they are strong spiritually, mentally, physically."

Meanwhile, Father Timothy Pavlatos of Arizona agreed that "the challenge of the Orthodox Church attracts many young people." He has had to enlist volunteers to help with the "influx of people," and they are considering opening new Orthodox churches nearby.

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