RT Article
T1 A Rational Choice? Explaining the Growth of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Philippines
JF International journal of Asian christianity
VO 4
IS 1
SP 72
OP 93
A1 Richters, Katja
LA English
YR 2021
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1751678407
AB Abstract This paper shines a light on the three Eastern Orthodox churches which are currently operating in the Philippines and asks why it is the Moscow Patriarchate rather than the Ecumenical or Antiochian Patriarchates which is displaying the most significant growth. Using rational choice theory, the paper argues that the Moscow Patriarchate is best placed to capitalise on the opening created by the lack of dynamism in the country’s religious marketplace. This is so because it insists on the strict observance of Orthodox traditions and therefore operates in the strict market niche which is underserved by the country’s majority Catholic church. The paper, however, also finds that it is not only the Moscow Patriarchate’s strictness, but also the financial resources provided by Russian businessmen, which are fuelling its growth.
K1 Rational Choice Theory
K1 Philippines
K1 Church Growth
K1 Missions
K1 Eastern Orthodoxy
DO 10.1163/25424246-04010005