Shirley, New York, June 2, 2026
Photo: Fr. Jonathan Ivanoff
An estimated 16,000–18,000 American converts were received into the Church this year at Pascha, in addition to those who were received earlier at Theophany and throughout Lent.
Many parishes reported still having large numbers of catechumens preparing to be received into the Church even after the large receptions at Pascha, including St. John the Theologian Orthodox Church (OCA) in Shirley, New York.
Over the weekend, eight people, including one child, were received into the church at the parish led by Archpriest Jonathan Ivanoff, with many more expressing interest in the faith.
“A wonderful day of nearly 100 on hand to welcome 8 catechumens into the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Many guests approached afterwards and asked about the Faith and how one becomes a catechumen! It was intense, exciting, exhilarating, exhausting, and divinely glorious. God be praised!” Fr. Jonathan wrote on Facebook.
Similar reports have come from several other parishes since Pascha.
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