Eastern Orthodoxy by Country 2024

Eastern Orthodoxy, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church, is one of the three major doctrinal Christian groups. It is characterized by its alignment with the apostolic church. Eastern Orthodox practices the faith as it was defined by the seven ecumenical councils.

What Are the Top Ten Countries Where Eastern Orthodox Is Practiced?

*Estimates for Ukraine's participation in the Eastern Orthodoxy church are low end of the range. The number of practitioners in this country may be as high as 34,850,000 people, up to 76.6% of the total population.

Which Country Has the Greatest Population of People Practicing Eastern Orthodox?

Russia has the largest Eastern Orthodox population. Russia is the country where more than half of the world's Eastern Orthodox Christians live. The church has been operational in Russia since 988 when Prince Vladimir of Kiev ordered his entire population to be baptized.

Over the centuries, the church was periodically integrated into Russian government and then separated from government through various uprisings and changes in governing practices and reforms taking place in Russia. The standing of the church in Russia saw a great resurgence in the 1990's with the collapse of the Soviet Union. What is Happening to the Overall Population of People Practicing Eastern Orthodox Worldwide?

Although the number of people practicing Eastern Orthodoxy worldwide has doubled in the last century, the percentage of people practicing Orthodox Christianity as a share of the world's population is declining due to the fast growth of Protestants, Catholics and people who do not practice Christianity at all.

One century ago, Eastern Orthodox Christians made up about 20% of the total Christian population, and about 7% of the world population. Today, Eastern Orthodox Christians make up about 12% of the total Christian population, and around 4% of the total global population.