Abstract
The paper explores the engagement of contemporary Eastern Orthodox Christianity with environmental issues. It compares Orthodox environmentalism in the United States and Greece and examines the “greening” of Orthodox churches there through the prism of ecological conversion. At the conceptual level, it studies the ideas, ideals, and values that motivate believers to engage in eco-agenda by referring to Max Weber’s understanding of social actions. At the empirical level, the paper examines the ecological practices and the degree of environmental engagement of Orthodox communities in the US and Greece through the lived religion approach. The paper offers comparative research of two cases: America and Greece. It explores Orthodox churches in different social contexts: in a country where it has a minority status and in a “traditionally Orthodox” country where it has stronger connections with and influence on civil society actors. The paper has practical value in analyzing the best green practices of Orthodox communities that can be useful for religious and secular organizations, NGOs, policy-makers, and other stakeholders. Qualitative methodology for data collection and analysis is used. The paper innovatively blends document analysis, interview, visual methods (photography), and participant observation in Orthodox communities in the US and Greece. During the field trips to eco-oriented communities of Orthodox believers in the US and Greece, data is collected to offer comprehensive intersectional research on green Orthodoxy.
Presenters
Xenia MedvedevaPostdoc, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mazowieckie, Poland
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Environmentalism, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Religious environmentalism, Greece, USA
