Orthodox Christian Diasporas in the West: Grounding the Tradition

This chapter sheds light on some current transformations of Orthodox Christianity and the settlement of Orthodox Christian diasporas in Western countries. The first and second sections outline a perspective for a sociological comprehension of Eastern Orthodoxy. They trace its key features by grasping the main societal trends that have historically developed around its theological teachings on the Holy Tradition. The third and fourth sections examine the Orthodox Christian diasporas in North America and in Western, Central, and Northern Europe. Following a reading of the main sociological studies on the subject, Orthodox churches abroad appear to develop some socio-cultural and religious encounters with the receiving environment and to engage with certain contemporary challenges. Due to their conditions as immigrant groups and religious minorities, Orthodox diasporas are generally called to ground the Tradition abroad by discerning the latter from their cultural customs and traditional habits diffused in the homeland. In short, this chapter refutes the vague image of Orthodox Christianity as a monolithic religious system and shows Orthodox diasporas as permanent renovations at multiple levels.