“Many men may not love church, but Orthodox men do.”
In an article titled “Why Orthodox Men Love Church,” Kh Fredricka Matthew Green explores the reason why the Orthodox Church is seeing men convert in droves. She opens the article writing, “In a time when churches of every description are faced with Vanishing Male Syndrome, men are showing up at Eastern Orthodox churches in numbers that, if not numerically impressive, are proportionately intriguing.”
Fredricka continues to list reasons why 100 different Orthodox convert men converted. Some said:
A lifelong Orthodox says that what men like is “stability: Men find they can trust the Orthodox Church because of the consistent and continuous tradition of faith it has maintained over the centuries.” A convert says, “The Orthodox Church offers what others do not: continuity with the first followers of Christ.” This is continuity, not archeology; the early church still exists, and you can join it.
She also wrote in the article:
The term most commonly cited by these men was “challenging.” Orthodoxy is “active and not passive.” “It’s the only church where you are required to adapt to it, rather than it adapting to you.” “The longer you are in it, the more you realize it demands of you.”
The “sheer physicality of Orthodox worship” is part of the appeal. Regular days of fasting from meat and dairy, “standing for hours on end, performing prostrations, going without food and water [before communion]…When you get to the end you feel that you’ve faced down a challenge.” “Orthodoxy appeals to a man’s desire for self-mastery through discipline.”
In Orthodoxy, we take our Christian life seriously, and that can be demanding. However, this is how we find true rest in the life and love of Jesus Christ–to be set apart from this world and usher into the life of God. Finally and most importantly, the article states:
What draws men to Orthodoxy is not simply that it’s challenging or mysterious. What draws them is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the center of everything the Church does or says
As more and more men are drawn to the Church and commit themselves to living a life dedicated to Jesus Christ, men’s groups and meetings are essential to community and for promoting strong bonds between the men in our parishes.
Men at St Timothy
Orthodoxy has acknowledged the need for community, consistency, and spiritual growth through challenges for centuries.
At St Timothy’s, our group of men participate in the “St Lawrence Fellowship” and usually meet monthly for prayer, coffee, and a book club. St Lawrence is a third century martyr who was burned by his torturers on a rod iron grill. To show his boldness for his faith and to prove there would be no wavering, he mocked his torturers and said, “I am done on this side, turn me over!” If you smell a BBQ, be sure that you can find the men grilling up something good for the community! They also work on church projects, plan pilgrimages, and assist in the LVCK feedings on Tuesday nights. Come join! All are welcome!
