Something unheard of is going on in Orthodox Churches across America: The pews aren’t just full, they’re crowded.
Until recently, attendance in the Orthodox Church – by far the smallest of the three branches of Christianity – had been waning. In many churches, immigrants from countries with heavy Orthodox presence made up the lion’s share of parishioners, and their American-born children tended to drift towards Protestantism, or away from religion entirely.
But all of a sudden, young men are showing up in droves.
The rapid influx is being called the largest growth in attendance in the history of Orthodoxy in America. What’s behind the massive surge?
The Rise of the "Orthobro"
Some experts speculate that the renewed interest in Orthodoxy is being driven by a perceived masculinity crisis facing Gen Z men.
The difficulties facing young men have been well documented in recent years, from struggles in the job market to romantic troubles with women. Many have reported a sense of malaise and listlessness stemming from these problems.
Orthodoxy, some converts say, gives them purpose in an explicitly masculine tradition. This trend was reported on most recently in the New York Times, where journalist Ruth Graham visited an Orthodox Church in Pennsylvania to understand what's driving young men to join.
“The Orthodox Church is the only church that really coaches men hard, and says, ‘This is what you need to do,’” explained Josh Elkins, a 20-year-old Orthodox man. The faith “appeals to the masculine soul,” he stated.
Longtime church attendees say that their new converts are attracted to the unabashed masculinity of the church. Priests (who must be male) wear beards, they’re married, they have robust families. Whereas many Protestant churches offer feel-good sermons and sing-a-long worship, Orthodoxy promotes stoicism through practices like fasting.
It’s being driven by influencers like Rev. Josiah Trenham, a frequent face on conservative podcasts and YouTube shows. Trenham and others like him speak on perceived threats to traditional masculinity – feminism, the LGBTQ+ community, pornography – in ways that are resonating with Gen Z.
In Orthodoxy, he says, these wayward men will find a home.
A Generation in Crisis?
For some observers, this trend is cause for concern.
Many of the online spaces feeding the "Orthobro" pipeline overlap heavily with right-wing influencer ecosystems where ironic jokes about women, LGBTQ+ people, and racial minorities often blur into full-blown hateful ideology.
What begins as light-hearted memes or edgy commentary can gradually escalate into more explicit misogyny, homophobia, and even racism, because the platforms where these Orthodox influencers exist are designed to reward ever-more provocative content.
On the other hand, what’s happening in Orthodox churches right now could be viewed as a window into the anxieties, hopes, and identity struggles shaping Gen Z.
For some, the appeal of Orthodoxy is ancient beauty and ritual. For others, it’s a structure they feel modern life has failed to provide. And for a certain subset of converts, it’s a return to a type of stoic masculinity much of the rest of society has moved away from.
What do you think? Is the surge we’re seeing in Orthodox pews across America a sign of renewed faith, a search for identity, or a symptom of broader cultural tensions? Are we seeing a genuine revival, a cultural reaction… or something else entirely?
42 comments
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Natasha Martinelli
You suppose to care for all your church members regardless of gender and that includes recognizing both masculine and feminine. Although the feminine energies are much needed in this time and age, they have to be conveyed in a manner that doesn’t minimize their role as males in the society and does not deliver mixed messages. A minister has an obligation and responsibility to be ethical and not intentionally misleading and push their own agenda. I’m sure many churches tell their young men ( and women) that they worthless sinners which is wrong. They are born in sin has to do with their DNA - genetic/karmic overload they inherited from their ancestors which needs to be cleared. Gen Z is smarter and more independent thinkers and they don’t buy into sons of that churches agendas anymore.
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Joe R Day
If I have to comment before I can LOG-IN? This is all the ULC gets! ULC is demanding I sign in before I have read the comments. I disagree with this policy/rule/mandate... Please allow me to login Without Comment!
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Rev Elle
I never had that issue.
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Joe R Day
Comment logged.
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TheStranger
@ServantOfJudgment:
Nonsense.
Those who protect trans people are doing just that—protecting people regardless of gender.
You intolerant don’t understand that once a trans person begins treatment or transitioning, they take hormones that essentially match, or sometimes surpass hormone levels of their counterparts. In other words, they are essentially women hormonally and physically and no longer have the strength the of a typical men.
And all of you talking about the “masculine spirit” of these “lost men” are being hypocritical if you don’t accept that trans people also have a “spirit” but they feel it is simply different than the outer covering they were born with and they are just trying to align them.
I’m also tired of hearing about the woes of insecure men who are too lazy to work on themselves and blame women for everything.
I’d much rather help trans people who are genuinely not trying to hurt anyone, than enable these rage-y men who need so much control over women to feel like men.
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James Timothy Dougherty
There is a Sufi story about Nasrudin and a Wild Strawberry filled with adventures involving a tiger or two, predators and prey, hope, despair, opportunity, reality, and enjoyment of life. I encourage everyone to read it. Religion bears the same relationship to the soul, as a predator does to prey.
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Steven Ferrell
They have been tearing down men for decades and as a result they have become lost. They keep want to totally do away with any gender identity and that is against human nature.
There is a true difference between men and women. Sadly rather than encouraging the differences, society tries to take them down.Some seem to think those differences mean one should be subservient to the other which is not true. Each can enhance the other.
Some push men to not be men in their eyes, but to be more feeling and share their feelings, etc. and take away the very things or places that let men share their feelings in what is a more comfortable way for them.
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ServantOfJudgement
Absolutely correct Steven.
You can easily see the broken logic of the day when viscous women's rights groups go full throttle to protect men in women's sports because they wear lipstick. Fully blind to their own absurdity.
When a spirit is week it will bend or break to cultural pressures. When it's resilient it will break from the pressure and bounce back to what it knows is truth.
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Patricia Ann Gross
SOJ,
What viscous women's rights groups are going "full throttle to protect men in women's sports because they wear lipstick?" What is wrong with women wanting to be recognized for their intellect and abilities rather than their looks? What is wrong with women wanting to be paid the same as men for doing the same job with the same qualifications? These are the issues that women's rights groups are lobbying for. Like it or not, the whole world's culture is evolving because of the surges in technological and scientific advances, (even faster than it was in the mid 20th century). Women have a lot to contribute now, and it would be horrific to not let that happen in this country or anywhere else in the world.
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TheStranger
Comment removed by user.
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Tripthi Mary Mathew
I think there is so much Freedom in the American Society even though there are stringent Laws like other societies. Probably, Young Americans are getting fed up with all the violence (gun), drugs etc. in the society, that they are turning back to conservativism, orthodoxy to make meaning of their lives, seeking God and the truth which is very good. I read an article also about young people's surge to converting to Judaism after the October 7 events that happened in Israel couple of years ago. So, perhaps America is becoming more conservative than liberal.
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Ricky Lynn Ables
The Word is the way. God is the Word and the way. The Bible, Old Testament prophets that predicted the New Testament Messiah through Gods Word and Work. Jesus Christ spoke the new Word in flesh and in flesh God delivered his Word. With death he made a way so anyone who chooses can have an eternal life but only through Jesus Christ who brings new Word, God’s Word. We all have our own choice. Each one of us will answer to God in the end. Let no person judge another nor put themselves before God. The Bible is the Word, the Word is God and Jesus is the Way
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Joseph Grieco
Cradle Catholic here (if you don't know what that means, look it up). When I was a kid, my best friend was from a "mixed marriage". His dad was Polish Roman Catholic (not PNCC) and his mom was Greek Orthodox. He grew up with both traditions, and as a result, I and his other friends were exposed to them, too! Ok, the big difference? Back then the priest remained behind the Iconostasis for the bulk of the mass, coming forward for the Readings, the sermon and the communion service. Oh, yeah, and no prayer for the guy whose "parish church" was St. John Lateran. After I became an adult, my next real encounter was when I was in the USN and had occasion to visit St. Augustine, where I found a small Russian Orthodox Chapel dedicated to sailors lost at sea. That place had a wonderful egregore, and I returned to it every time I had the occasion to visit or even drive through the town. Recently, my wife and I took a cruise and one stop was in Tallinn, Estonia, where we had the opportunity to visit a Russian Orthodox Cathedral - this in a country where the majority of the population was Lutheran. There was an afternoon prayer service, and it was a beautiful experience. The only reason we left as soon as we did was our tour bus was heading back to the ship. The point is the spirituality of the Orthodox Churches offers a beautiful experience to those who are open to it. That's the whole point of it, like any other spiritual path - the individual must be open to experiencing something different than they are used to.
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Kevin Engmark
If they think Christian Orthodox is hard they should try Jewish Orthodox.
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Jodette C. Lenser
What it is to be masculine or feminine are cultural constructs, and as such, are fluid. To feel insecure about that fluidity perhaps indicates a need for a firm structure in identity definitions, what's right vs. wrong, etc. Some religions probably provide that black/white structure. Personally, I find the cultural fluidity interesting and rather exciting, and not in a "fad" sort of way. And to be more blunt, I think some of these insecure boys have entitlement issues.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
This code for white supremist and segregation to Make America Segregated Again with Project 2025.
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Kimberly Theresa
Respectfully, please stop with the political/liberal garbage.
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Steven Ferrell
Agree. The far left political garbage should stop.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Kimberly and Steven,
Do I think Douglas' comment was perhaps a little over the top? Yes I do, but what I did was keep scrolling. If so inclined I might have told him so, like I'm doing now. The "political/liberal garbage" will stop on this board when the code of conduct and bullet points below the "reply" box includes the statements that "only comments approved by MAGA will be accepted." Many of the topics on this board are political in nature, and as such will generate a spirited discourse. Some (and sometimes I am included) will make comments out of deep emotional responses to what has been posted or commented, however, DO NOT try to silence people on this board. I have bashed strong MAGA views on immigration, LGBTQIA+, and abortion and I intend to do so until I am informed that this is a board that only accepts conservative right-wing views. At that point I will give the ULC back my ordination and leave this board forever, as I do not wish to be included in a community that would silence people with differing views.
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Reverend Paula Copp
I’m supposed to care about churches which cater to masculine insecurity? Yeah… NO!
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Lionheart
It’s what Churches do best. Don’t forget that a male god, with the pronouns of He/Him, created Man first and then you women (the womb bearing kind 🤭) came second from the rib of a man. Crazy, right? And people not only believe this stuff they worship this male deity. EVERY WEEK! 🤷
And worse still, this male deity impregnated a girl and everyone celebrated it, and sang “Hallelujah”. “Well done God!” They must have been very progressive woke people back then. Must have been Democrats…right? 😜
🦁❤️
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Ari Joseph Bertine
The woke, progressive take on a pregnancy that a young girl didn't consent to is to give her the choice to abort it because her body belongs to her, not some nebulous male authority figure she is told about by someone claiming to be an angel.
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Joe R Day
Really? Surely you jest? "Woke, Progressive Take?" I believe it is an 'Enormous Stretch' that defines Ari's religious mandates. The stretch between 'a young girl didn't consent' and 'auto-abort' is the distance between your prejudiced religion and the Human Right to have sole control over their body.
"The statement "all humans have a right to their own bodies" reflects the concept of body autonomy, which is recognized as a fundamental human right. This right allows individuals to make decisions about their own health, including reproductive choices and medical treatments, free from coercion. legalclarity.org
"However, the reality is that many individuals face barriers to bodily autonomy, particularly women and marginalized groups, who may experience restrictions on their rights to make decisions about their bodies. The fight for bodily autonomy is ongoing, emphasizing the need for policies and laws that protect individuals' rights to govern their own bodies." Please rethink your attitude about Body Autonomy
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Peter Senderowitz
How to rescue masculinity without diminishing women's right to their space , their public voice , that is the question!? Some historians and anthropologists claim that certain Native Peoples established a gender división of labor that was not oppressive.
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Honorarium Last Rites Services
Research shows some did some didnt just like the non native Americans tribe and non tribes from all over the earth were, are and evolved chages that effected them too everywhere.
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
In my ULC’s SHP denomination of the Universal Life Church, we’re proud to share our collective awareness, that God and Nature are the same thing (as per Thomas Jefferson — via Spinoza — in the USA’s Declaration of Independence) and God is used, when the personification of Nature is necessitated— especially by those whose awareness of science is still in its superstitious-stage. To both males and females alike, we SHP’ers pontificate, the more one studies and thereby understands Nature, the greater shold be their awareness of the one and thereby undesirable God. Call it either “Mother” or “Father” Nature, as the need happens to be.
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Richard Michael Salvatore
I have been a Roman Catholic for years and I found out that it's more about comfortable, popularity,money ,I was a confirmation teacher for years a Eucharist minister for years ,a spiritual care minister A funeral minister and nothing seemed to be good enough, and I felt after going to many different Parrish s the same thing no MATTER WHAT, I'm not mad and don't need a pat on the back ,but like I said well it seems as though people seem to think ministries belong to them and the Priests are something else. No good advice or anything,I didn't even feel the Holy Spirit in most of those places. And you no what after spending many years ,I found that I don't think anyone is infallible not even a Pope. Everyone makes mistakes. I spent many years in a local seminary and all this really came to life for me ,now this is just my opinion and wasn't forced to say this but I found in the FIRST ORTHODOX CHURCH ITS SO MUCH BETTER. THEY TRET PEOPLE GREAT. THE PRIEST GIVES GREAT SPIRITUAL ADVICE AND THE SACRAMENTS ARE THE SAME TO. ANYWAYS TAKE MY ADVICE IF YOU WILL AND TRY AND ORTHODOX CHURCH ITS WAY BETTER AND YOU GET TREATED WAY BETTER. AND THE BEST THING I FELT THE HOLY SPIRIT RIGHT FROM THE MOMENT I WALKED IN . TAKE IT FROM A LONG TIME AND DECIEVED ROMAN CATHOLIC FOR YEARS THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IS THE WAY!!!!! SINCERELY RICHARD SALVATORE PAX.
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Lionheart
I bet some women would die for that gold patterned evening dress. It just needs taking in a bit at the waist. 🤭
🦁❤️
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ServantOfJudgement
It looks like something I was thinking of wearing back when I ate to much Amanita Muscaria too often for way too long.
I gave it all up for blue jeans, work boots and a white T shirt.
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Najah P Tamargo
Najah Tamargo-USA
It sounds, to me, that they are lost souls who think this belief system will bring them submissive and subservient wives. Kind of like, decades ago, when men wanted Asian wives for those same reasons. But, being open-minded, I say....whatever floats your boat!!!
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Rev. Miche'al Yosef Dixon
Interesting 🤔 they describe the attitude I was raised in what is a true manly man. And every thing they believe is the exact opposite of everything Yeshua the Messiah teaches in the scriptures they claim to follow. This neither support or bashes the alternate life style fad plaguing the planet in last few decades. Yes, scriptures say the Male is to be "Head of house" Our Father never said be a tyrant over your family. The fourth Commandment states "Honour thy Father AND thy Mother." And only one with a promise attached. What the article failed to relay to the people is they teach masculinity and leave out what mother can teach the men. My mother taught me to be a man and respect my wife, "she's your wife and helper not your slave and sex toy." And she taught me "Jesus wept" showing loving compassion.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Rev. Dixon,
Your mother taught you well. Just an expansion on your scriptural reference to the "head of household." Jesus did not say this. Where this occurs, to the best of my knowledge, is in the letters of Paul. Jesus was a compassionate soul whose mother had to prod him to take care of his first miracle. Jesus might have been divine for those who believe a Trinitarian Gospel, but he was also very human. Jesus was teaching people what "Children of God" are supposed to act like. Remember what Paul was doing. He was writing letters to his missionary churches, some who were women. In many churches, run by both men and women, Paul admonishes the leaders, and asks some of them to step away from authority, not because of their gender, but because of their behavior. You can't gain understanding of any of Paul's writings through a couple of verses. You have to read the entire letter and put it in the context and customs/cultures of the time. Today there are families that are led by same sex and single parents, so the "gender game" doesn't work any more. People should just try to be the best human being possible. Thank you for understanding that.
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Honorarium Last Rites Services
Your mother was smart women and obviously a female, least she should taught neither is any women obviiuse female or male living as female or women yours weather wife or isnt either those that of wife status of your or that of wife non wife status of any others or available or made to that to any that existed exist or ever going to in any future, ever, please learn teach express that too, for all concerned and growing danger threats risks to all., please.
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Rev. Donut
What?
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James Riggle-Johnson
I’m glad they’re finding something that helps them feel more confident, but I still don’t understand why so many young men suddenly decided they were “less masculine” to start with. It’s sad, honestly. Gen Z is the first generation that grew up with the internet in their pocket 24/7 and then had the pandemic hit them hard — isolating them, cutting off milestones, and even taking away things like graduation. That would shake anyone’s sense of identity.
But blaming that loss on women’s rights or LGBTQ people is way off the mark.
The pandemic is over. Go out and socialize in person. Step away from the screens, talk to people face-to-face, and see what the world actually looks like instead of what the algorithm tells you it is. If going to church gives them community and lifts them up, I genuinely hope it does.
Just remember: you don’t need to perform some outdated stereotype to be a man. Show kindness, take responsibility, and treat people well — that’s masculinity that actually lasts.
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Patricia Ann Gross
James,
Thank you for stating what I have been thinking while reading through this. I can see where the Pandemic hit Gen-Z really hard, because it took away socializing through two of their most important years for social growth and understanding. Even for us "old folks" who have hermit tendencies, moving back into a social world is hard and takes time and work. People with health issues that required extended quarrantines are still having trouble getting back into the social swing of things.
The biggest issue I have with it, like you stated, is blaming everything on the LGBTQIA+ communities, racial minorities, and women. None of them/us are the problem. Finding who one is, and living into that vision is all one has to do. Life and society isn't made up of a series of little boxes that one has to fit into in order to be accepted, and the sooner we all realize that, the better.
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Joe R Day
I am humbled by your comment. At 71, my liberal heart and my biker soul were in conflict (not the first time). "Life and society aren't made up of a series of little boxes"... This hit me hard because humans have 'shifted' their focus. Growing up, my focus was mechanical: engines and cars and motorcycles. Partying, fighting, chasing the gals who flirted by means of water balloons and halter tops. My 'Masculinity' was only questioned when I was too drunk to 'do the deed' lol... Then, you followed with this: "blaming everything on the LGBTQIA+ communities, racial minorities, and women. None of them/us are the problem." Absolutely Perfect! Thanks for the excellent comment!
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Peter Senderowitz
James, The way "feminism" is played out in our rotting society is that many women merely duplicate /imitate the worst parts of" masculinity" : aggressive , predatory consumerism ; be the Boss instead of questioning the idea of Controller and Controlled ; making men feel guilty for publicly having some "swag" or maintaining a firmness in thought and setting boundaries. Certain antropologists claim that some Native Peoples ; e.g The Iroquois , had established a gender división of labor that did imply one was better. We live in a society that elevates inequalities, bossism and social powerlessness. What social groups benefit from pedaling that s**t ? Respectfully , Rev.Peter Senderowitz
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Father Frederick
Let's not forget that the opinions of Rev. Josiah Trenham are HIS views. I doubt that the church interest in general is due to perceived threats to traditional masculinity/feminism. That doesn't me one can be, but to paint with a broad brush is rather ignorant. From my view in the upper midwest, the attraction to the Orthodox church seems to be for structure and practice. I can't help but notice that in some of Russian Orthodox churches, mostly catering to Ukrainian refugees, American men expect an order; like how the military has specific ways of doing something without deviation. They appreciate that week to week the service does not deviate, and that the priest's actions are predictable and standard. Maybe not a bad thing?
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J. Anderson
...and when was 'Lysistrata' written? The pendulum swings eternal...
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Michael Burton
411BCE and it was a comedy wasn't it?
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Michael F. Lane
411 BCE
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I can't speak for all men who are going to Orthodoxy, but I have been around a few of these guys. They are angry and highly tormented by their own sin and inability to marry which leads them to more sin. They also seem to have the complex that has plagued men in Latino cultures which is the Virgin/Whore complex. They definitely have racist tones. If a woman isn't a virgin in their eyes, she is a whore. How do you square that with a loving relationship? I really don't understand how they can believe in a loving Christ but be so hateful.