A growing number of young American men are converting to Russian Orthodoxy, drawn by the church’s emphasis on traditional masculinity and family values. Father Moses McPherson, a Russian Orthodox priest in Georgetown, Texas, has seen his congregation triple in size over the past 18 months. “A lot of people ask me: ‘Father Moses, how can I increase my manliness to absurd levels?'” he says, championing a form of virile, unapologetic masculinity.
Father Moses’s congregation is part of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), a global network with headquarters in New York. The church has been expanding across the US, mainly through conversions from other faiths. Many of these converts, like software engineer Theodore, feel disillusioned with modern society’s expectations of men. “We are told that’s a very toxic relationship nowadays,” Theodore says, criticizing the emphasis on equality in relationships.
The converts often opt for home-schooling, prioritizing a religious education and traditional family values. Father John Whiteford, an archpriest in the ROCOR, believes home-schooling is “a way of protecting your children” from liberal ideas. The trend is not limited to Texas, with Professor Scott Kenworthy noting a similar surge in converts in his parish in Cincinnati.
The digital space plays a significant role in this movement, with many Orthodox clergy and followers sharing their views online. Father Moses has a large following on YouTube and Instagram, where he shares his thoughts on masculinity, family, and faith. Buck Johnson, a former atheist and firefighter, hosts the Counterflow podcast and has found a sense of community in the Russian Orthodox Church.
However, some critics argue that this movement romanticizes Russia and its role in the world. Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Church, has backed the invasion of Ukraine, calling it a Holy War. While some American converts express admiration for Russia’s supposed traditional values, others are more nuanced in their views.
Despite the controversy, the trend reflects a broader shift in American society, with some young men seeking alternative forms of masculinity and community. As Buck Johnson says, “We’re thinking of things long term, like traditions, love for your family, love for your community, love for neighbours.”