Number of Orthodox сhurches grows by third over 15 years in France – report

Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Nice. Photo: Wikipedia

On December 23, 2025, the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops of France published a report documenting that the number of Orthodox churches in France grew by about one third between 2010 and 2024.

According to the yearbook’s data, the number of Orthodox places of worship rose from 235 to 320 over that period, while the number of clergy increased by almost 40%. This trend stands in stark contrast to the overall decline in religious practice in Catholic and Protestant communities.

The report identifies the main driver of growth as mass immigration from Romania after the country joined the European Union. The Romanian jurisdiction has become the largest in France, accounting for more than a third of all Orthodox parishes and a significant share of monasteries.

At the same time, the report notes growth in the number of parishes where services are conducted wholly or partly in French – up by more than 50% over 15 years – which the authors say indicates the integration of Orthodox communities into the country’s public life.

The authors also emphasize that growth has been accompanied by internal difficulties – ongoing jurisdictional fragmentation and the impact of geopolitical conflicts, which continue to complicate the question of Orthodox canonical unity in France.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that French cities install Nativity scenes despite court rulings.

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