Prospects for the expansion of Eastern Orthodoxy in Canada

Abstract

After a century of persistent linguistic, theological and cultural isolation, Eastern Orthodoxy is uniquely poised to expand beyond its ethnic-bound limits to take its place in Canadian mainstream Christianity in the twenty-first century, even while many foundations of institutional Christianity are being undermined. Several factors are at work to allow Eastern Orthodoxy to realize this favorable position. One is the strength of its unified doctrine, another is a current in postmodern North America moving to more orthodox expressions of Christianity. Another factor is an increased youthful immigration of Eastern Orthodox faithful which invigorates and validates the established segment of increasingly socially acculturated Eastern Orthodox Canadians. Parallel to those elements is the erosion of certain aspects of Roman Catholic and Protestant strongholds, opening the way to the consideration of alternatives outside those traditions. Protestant membership and attendance have continued to decline over the past several decades while Roman Catholicism is plagued with a tarnished image, largely over sex-related issues. The relatively unknown character of Eastern Orthodoxy provides a fresh outlook of a familiar Christian foundation through intensely Trinitarian doctrine manifested in part in the oriental mysticism of hesychasm and iconography, appealing to a general rising interest in things eastern. As never before, the recent simultaneous convergence of these multifarious factors allows for the prospect of expansion of Eastern Orthodoxy in Canada in the twenty-first century.