The growing appeal of Orthodoxy in the Rocky Mountain West – orthodoxobserver.org

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Fr. Constantine Zozos
The following article was submitted by Fr. Constantine Zozos, who serves as Proistamenos at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Pocatello, Idaho.
In a quiet corner of the Rocky Mountain West, something remarkable is happening. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Pocatello, Idaho—founded in 1915, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and still serving as Idaho’s oldest Orthodox Church—is witnessing an unprecedented influx of new members from diverse religious backgrounds. Most notably, young adults and families from Roman Catholic, Protestant, and nondenominational churches, as well as from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have been making the journey to the ancient liturgy of Eastern Orthodoxy. 
The Numbers Tell the Story
This demographic shift is striking in a region where Latter-day Saints comprise significant portions of the population—26.4% in Idaho, representing the largest religious denomination in the state, and 11.5% in Wyoming. Yet, increasingly, young families and especially young men from these communities are finding themselves drawn to the ancient traditions and unchanging liturgical practices of the Orthodox Church. 
Fr. Constantine Zozos, who has been serving full time these past six years at the Assumption Church, has baptized 59 adult and 31 child Catechumens and Chrismated 54 adults and 5 children, bringing 128 new Orthodox Christians into the faith. Moreover, the numbers have been increasing exponentially every year. Currently there are 40 catechumens and over 20 inquirers attending catechism and Bible study classes in person and on Zoom. The church has had to move the classes from the church conference room into the social hall and to buy a large-screen TV to accommodate all those in attendance.  
In October 2025 alone, Fr. Constantine baptized 15 adults and 3 children and chrismated 3 adults, thereby welcoming 21 new members to the Orthodox Church. In fact, Assumption is planning to build an adult baptismal font to accommodate the growing number of adult catechumens.   
Fr. Constantine describes the phenomenon as both humbling and energizing. “We’ve seen our congregation grow in ways we never anticipated,” he explains. “These aren’t just casual visitors—these are people who have done deep research into church history and theology, and they’re making very deliberate decisions about their spiritual lives.” 
Searching for Historical Roots 
The first and perhaps most significant draw for these new Orthodox converts is the search for the historic Christian Church. Many speak of discovering the unbroken apostolic succession that Orthodox Christianity claims, tracing its bishops and clergy directly back to the Twelve Apostles themselves. This connection to early Christianity resonates powerfully with those who have become skeptical of recent religious innovations. 
“I spent years studying early Christian history,” shares one recent convert. “The more I learned about the Church Fathers, the early councils, and the development of Christian doctrine, the more I realized that Orthodox Christianity had preserved something that other traditions had lost or changed.” 
Seeking Worship, Not Entertainment 
The second major factor drawing people to Orthodox Christianity is the desire for authentic worship rather than entertainment-focused services. In an era where many churches have embraced contemporary music, multimedia presentations, and performance-oriented worship styles, the Orthodox Divine Liturgy offers something radically different.   
The Divine Liturgy, unchanged for over two millennia, emphasizes reverence, mystery, and participation in something greater than oneself. The service includes ancient chants, incense, icons, and ritual movements that engage all the physical senses while maintaining a focus on the sacred rather than the spectacular. 
“Sunday morning shouldn’t feel like going to a concert or a motivational seminar,” explains another convert, a young father of three. “We wanted our children to experience the transcendent, to understand that worship is about approaching the divine with awe and reverence.”   
This sentiment reflects a broader cultural shift among many Americans who are seeking more traditional, liturgical forms of worship as an alternative to the increasingly casual and entertainment-driven approach of contemporary Christianity. 
Loss of Confidence in Changing Traditions 
Perhaps the most poignant reason cited by converts, however, is their loss of confidence in religious institutions that continue to undergo significant changes. Many converts speak of doctrinal modifications, policy reversals, and cultural adaptations that have left them questioning the credibility of their former faith traditions. They are therefore leaving their formal churches  for Orthodoxy. To paraphrase G. K. Chesterton, “The church that marries the spirit of the age will find itself abandoned in the next age.”   
Orthodox Christianity, by contrast, presents itself as unchanging—the “faith once delivered to the saints.” This commitment to doctrinal stability and liturgical consistency appeals to those who have experienced what they perceive as religious uncertainty or institutional shifting. 
“I needed to know that what I believed on Sunday would still be true on Monday, and would have been true a hundred years ago,” one convert explains. “Orthodox Christianity offered that certainty.” 
A Regional Phenomenon 
This trend isn’t limited to Pocatello. Similar patterns are emerging in Orthodox churches throughout the Rocky Mountain West. The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver, which encompasses the Rocky Mountain West as well as the Great Plains and Texas, reports growing membership in a number of its churches. In fact, the Denver Metropolis is the fastest growing metropolis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. This is remarkable, because although the Metropolis of Denver is the largest in area of the eight metropolises of the Archdiocese, it is one of the smallest in number of churches. Its churches and their members are therefore fewer and farther between. 
Pocatello’s location in Southeastern Idaho, however, is also significant. In a region where the LDS Church maintains a strong demographic and cultural presence, the movement toward Orthodox Christianity represents a religious realignment that speaks to deeper questions about faith, tradition, and religious authenticity in modern America.  
Challenges and Opportunities 
This growth hasn’t come without challenges, however. Orthodox churches, traditionally centered around ethnic communities, are adapting to serve converts who come without the cultural background that has historically defined Orthodox life in America. Questions of language, tradition, and community integration therefore require careful navigation. 
Additionally, the conversion of families from other Christian traditions raises complex theological and pastoral questions. Orthodox clergy must balance welcoming newcomers with maintaining the integrity of ancient Orthodox traditions. 
Looking Forward 
The Assumption Church community reflects on how its identity is evolving. What began as a spiritual home for Greek immigrants over a century ago has become something even larger and deeper: a beacon for those seeking the ancient Christian tradition in a rapidly changing world. 
The trend shows no signs of slowing. If anything, the pace of conversion appears to be accelerating as word spreads through communities and families. Social media and podcasts focused on Orthodox Christianity have created new pathways for discovering the faith, while personal testimonies from converts provide encouragement for others considering similar spiritual journeys. 
For the Assumption Church and others like it, the influx of new members represents both an opportunity and a responsibility. As one recent convert put it, “We weren’t just looking for a new church—we were looking for the Church. And we found it in a place we never expected to look.” 
The story of Orthodox Christianity’s growth in Southeastern Idaho and Western Wyoming is still being written, but it’s clear that for many individuals and families, the ancient path has become their new way forward. 
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