Abstract
The article presents a review of the main stages of historical evolution of Orthodox Christiani-ty in the United States as well as an analysis of recent trends in its contemporary development. The present-day Orthodox Christianity in America is a combination of several cultural layers based on Russian spiritual legacy laid by the Russian Orthodox mission in Alaska beginning from the late 18th century. The subsequent transformation of this “diaspora Church” into an American Orthodox Church was followed by its fragmentation into three different jurisdictions: Orthodox Church in America (OCA), Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) and parishes of Moscow Patriarchate. Based on survey research and other sociological studies of Orthodox America, the article’s main focus is on the current state of these jurisdictions: their place in changing U.S. religious landscape, their geographical distribution, socio-demographic characteristics of their clergy and laity, their level of integration into American society as well as factors of its relatively marginal status compared to main America’s religions. The authors’ conclusion is that despite its small numbers U.S. Orthodoxy is firmly rooted in American society and has good prospects for further growth.
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