Jäsenyyden ja osallistumisen merkitykset Suomen ortodoksisen kirkon 20–45-vuotiaitten passiivisten jäsenten keskuudessa
Avainsanat:
Jäsenyys, Osallistuminen, Suomen ortodoksinen kirkko, Muuttuva uskonnollisuus, Jäsenmäärä, Ortodoksinen kirkkoAbstrakti
Membership and Participation among 20–45-year-old Inactive Members of the Orthodox Church of Finland — This article studies church membership and attitudes about and experiences of parish activities among 20–45-year-old inactive members of the Orthodox Church of Finland. The data (n = 74) are gathered through a survey conducted by internet and mail in 2018–2019. Analysis of the data indicates that, for ecclesiastically inactive members of the Finnish Orthodox Church between 20 and 45 years of age, the experience of intergenerational relationships through sacraments and services and the involvement of the church at important turning points of life (viz., birth, death, and marriage) are the main reason for maintaining church membership. Appreciation for church tradition and liturgy is also notably high among survey respondents. The main reasons for inactivity include obstacles created by family life, work, and hobbies, as well as feelings of loneliness and alienation experienced during ecclesiastical activities.
