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The Orthodox movement has had a presence in Ireland for some decades. Census 2006 indicates that members in Ireland grew by just over 99% between 2002 and 2006, with 20,798 members in 2006. This makes the Orthodox movement the fifth largest (stated) religious affiliation in Ireland.
Essential Practice Point 1
Contributors indicate that there are churches corresponding to two Orthodox traditions in Ireland, namely the Greek and Oriental Orthodox. The traditions are based on historical development, while they share core Christian beliefs.
Orthodox membership in Ireland is highly culturally diverse. The membership of individual churches is outlined below. In summary, members come from Ireland, European and Eastern European countries, parts of the Middle East, parts of Asia, parts of Africa and North America.
(Return to Summary of Essential Practice Points)
The Greek Tradition has five main churches operating in Ireland:
- Antiochian (Syrian) Orthodox Church: This Church is currently developing with a mainly English speaking following from Ireland, England, the USA, Canada and South Africa.
- Georgian Orthodox Church: This Church has a following from Georgia and other Eastern European countries.
- Greek Orthodox Church: The Greek Orthodox Church developed in Ireland 25 years ago and has had a base in Arbour Hill, Dublin 7, for the past ten years. Members come from countries such as Greece, Cyprus, Romania and Palestine with small numbers from other national/ethnic backgrounds including the United Kingdom, United States and Ethiopia.
- Romanian Orthodox Church: The Romanian Orthodox Church currently has branches in Dublin and Cork. Members come from Romania, some Roma communities, France, Lithuania, other Eastern European countries and Nigeria.
- Russian Orthodox Church: St Peter and Paul Church in Dublin was founded in 2001. Since then, churches have developed in Cork, Galway and Waterford. Members come from Eastern European countries including Russia, Moldova, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Serbia, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Poland.
The following four churches in Ireland arose out of the Oriental Orthodox Tradition:
- Coptic Orthodox Church: This Church originated in Egypt and has a mainly Egyptian following in Ireland. The group meets in Bray, Co. Wicklow.
- Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church: This Dublin based Church has a number of followers of Indian origin.
- St Thomas Indian Orthodox Church: This Dublin based Church has a following of Indian origin and comprises some healthcare staff.
- St.Mary's Indian Orthodox Church:This Dublin based Church has majority of the church members working in Healthcare sector in and around Dublin area as Doctors, Nurses and Mid-Wives and other Health Care Professionals. Most of it's members are from the Indian State of Kerala and having their services in Malayalam as well as in English. For further Church Details please visit our webpage: https://www.orthodoxchurchdublin.com/
