Young US men are joining Russian churches promising 'absurd levels of manliness'

Young American men are turning to the Russian Orthodox Church, seeking a more traditional and masculine form of spirituality amid societal changes. Influential priests like Father Moses McPherson are promoting strong, unapologetic masculinity and attracting new followers, with the church's congregation size tripling in recent months. The trend reflects a broader shift in religious conversions, fueled by dissatisfaction with modern values and a desire for a more conservative lifestyle. These new converts are drawn to teachings that emphasize traditional gender roles, like home-schooling and large families, and reject aspects of Western culture they see as overly feminized.