A Rational Choice? Explaining the Growth of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Philippines

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" A Rational Choice? Explaining the Growth of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Philippines "
Katja Richters

Document Type	:	AL
Record Number	:	1069016
Doc. No	:	LA112645
Call No	:	‭10.1163/25424246-04010005‬
Language of Document	:	English
Main Entry	:	Katja Richters
Title & Author	:	A Rational Choice? Explaining the Growth of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Philippines [Article]\ Katja Richters
Publication Statement	:	Leiden: Brill
Title of Periodical	:	International Journal of Asian Christianity
Date	:	2021
Volume/ Issue Number	:	4/1
Page No	:	72–93
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. 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.
Descriptor	:	church growth
Descriptor	:	Eastern Orthodoxy
Descriptor	:	missions
Descriptor	:	Philippines
Descriptor	:	rational choice theory
Location & Call number	:	‭10.1163/25424246-04010005‬