World Orth parishes growing quickly

[Barbara]

in what this article calls "The Rocky Mountains" even though the Rockies are not in fact in the location mentioned.
The Tetons are closest range.

But apparently, in Colorado and elsewhere in the GOARCH Metropolis of Denver, parishes are booming

Why not find some True Orthodox people to start missions in the region ?

Perhaps Jackson, Wyoming, for example - a very wealthy area of retirees and athletics enthusiasts, particularly skiers.

Or else Idaho Falls, Idaho, an economically booming area.

Article was published on Nov 7 2025, written by a GOARCH priest :

https://orthodoxobserver.org/growing-ap ... doxy-west/

[Theodore813]

Fr Chad of ROCANA started a mission in Cody, WY.

[Barbara]

Oh really ? I was thinking about that area when i was typing, but i figured it was not populated enough.

That's where the Carmelite Monastery is, so now Cody has some national fame.

When did the mission start ? How is it doing ? I'm so glad to hear that !

[Davyd97]

in what this article calls "The Rocky Mountains" even though the Rockies are not in fact in the location mentioned.
The Tetons are closest range.

But apparently, in Colorado and elsewhere in the GOARCH Metropolis of Denver, parishes are booming

Why not find some True Orthodox people to start missions in the region ?

Perhaps Jackson, Wyoming, for example - a very wealthy area of retirees and athletics enthusiasts, particularly skiers.

Or else Idaho Falls, Idaho, an economically booming area.

Article was published on Nov 7 2025, written by a GOARCH priest :

https://orthodoxobserver.org/growing-appeal-orthodoxy-west/

The growth of Orthodoxy is a bit misleading. While the Orthodox Church is growing, it also has a very big issue with convert retention. The convert retention is something that has never been acknowledged or addressed in any of these articles.

[Barbara]

OH ! Thank you so much for that, Davyd97 !
I FELT there was something wrong in all this kind of hype.

What actually happens, what is the process the converts go thru, from what you've heard ? Thrilled, then, what ? Maybe less thrilled, to drift away ?

Sad of course but where do they go, too, when they leave Orthodoxy ?

Is it too difficult for them, the newly baptized ?

Of course, we are happy if World Orthodox are leaving for True Orthodoxy !

Please let me know more this phenomenon.
Thanks !

[Davyd97]

OH ! Thank you so much for that, Davyd97 !
I FELT there was something wrong in all this kind of hype.

What actually happens, what is the process the converts go thru, from what you've heard ? Thrilled, then, what ? Maybe less thrilled, to drift away ?

Sad of course but where do they go, too, when they leave Orthodoxy ?

Is it too difficult for them, the newly baptized ?

Of course, we are happy if World Orthodox are leaving for True Orthodoxy !

Please let me know more this phenomenon.
Thanks !

I have an educated guess based on what I have observed while browsing discussion groups for those who left Orthodoxy.

They are all drawn in the the tradition and beauty of the church. Once they get in, they might enjoy it for years but run into heralds. Some people get scandalized by clergy, I have seen others start to draw a distain for the church over cultural issues.

There really isn't a single answer that can say why but I think the cultural barrier can be too much for people.

[Barbara]

Thanks for answering.

What do you mean by "run into heralds" ? All i could think of was Harrolds the gambling place... ?!

And what kind of cultural obstacles are there ? You mean, they decide they don't care for the ethnic component ?

Could you be more specific ?

Are there actually groups discussing this topic ? I saw a title one day on youtube about someone who left Orthodoxy, but i didn't even consider taking a look at it. I figured just dumb chatter.