Parish Life and Growth in the Orthodox Church

The Orthodox Church in the Untied States is in decline numerically in proportion to the population growth of the nation.  Most jurisdictions in the United States realize this and have begun to examine the reasons and seek to reverse this trend.  The important links below offer a review of this decline and provide suggestions to increase evangelization and encourage parish growth. 

See this important links:

Parish Development and Life (Midwest Diocese OCA)

The Imperative of Evangelization (OCA 16th All American Council)

Five Facts About the Orthodox Church in the United States (Assembly of Bishops)

The Orthodox Church Today

Despondency

By Gabriel Bunge, "this ultimately joyful work is one of the few books available in English to deal exclusively with the problem of despondency-acedia- and how it can be overcome. Bunge analyzes the views of Evagrius Ponticus, the famous "philosopher of the desert," on the dangers of acedia. Evagrius develops a sophisticated psychology which remains beneficial to us today. Indeed, this 4th-century Desert Father writes for Christians everywhere: for those in modern deserts -the city- and for those subject to silent despair. This is a companion book to Dragon's Wine and Angel?s Bread (SVS Press, 2009)."


See St. Vladimir's Seminary Press