U.S. Eastern Orthodox Expert Speaks at Institute for Studies of Religion
U.S. Eastern Orthodox expert Alexei Krindatch will present a lecture on the presence and influence of Eastern Orthodox Christianity in the U.S. at 3:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 17, for the Institute for the Studies of Religion. (Courtesy photo)
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WACO, Texas (Oct. 14, 2016) – Alexei Krindatch, research director for the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the U.S.A., will present a lecture on the presence and influence of Eastern Orthodox Christianity in the U.S. at 3:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 17, in Cox Lecture Hall of Armstrong Browning Library, 710 Speight Ave.
“The Orthodox Option in the United States: Eastern Orthodoxy’s Presence and Contributions to Modern America” is a lecture sponsored by the Institute for the Studies of Religion (ISR).
In addition to his work with the Assembly, Krindatch has participated in interfaith study projects such as “Faith Communities Today” and “Religious Congregations Membership Study.” He is the author of American Orthodox Christian Churches and American Orthodox Christian Monasteries.
“What he’s done has been rather important in that the Orthodox tend to count the membership somewhat differently than the rest of us,” said J. Gordon Melton, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of American Religious History in the ISR. “His work has allowed us to get a very good assessment on how big the Orthodox community in the U.S. really is.”
The ISR lecture will use information from national surveys and studies conducted over the past decade to address questions about the geographic and demographic profile of Eastern Orthodox churches in America, the difference between Orthodox churches and Catholic or Protestant churches, and the future of Orthodox Christianity in America.
“While we have two Orthodox congregations here in Waco, they’re both fairly small, and we’re fairly unfamiliar with what is globally the second-largest Christian community in the world,” Melton said. “I’m hoping it will give our folks here some insight into this community they’ve heard about more than they’ve had direct experience with.”
The event is free, but registration is required. Click here for more information.
by Kalli Damschen, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
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