In a development that should surprise precisely no one, a growing number of disillusioned Christians are abandoning the progressive pews of modern Protestantism in favor of the time-honored traditions of Orthodox Christianity.

Yes, it appears that when faced with the choice between rainbow flags and incense, many are opting for the latter. Who could have predicted?

Take, for instance, the case of Ben Christenson, a 27-year-old from Fairfax, Virginia. Raised in the Anglican tradition, Christenson watched as his church eagerly swapped out robed choirs for worship bands and blurred doctrinal lines on issues like female ordination and LGBTQ+ matters. Shockingly, he found that when a church treats its theological commitments as ‘fungible,’ it loses its appeal to those seeking something more substantial. In 2022, Christenson converted to Orthodox Christianity, drawn by its steadfast adherence to 2,000 years of unchanging tradition.

He’s not alone. A recent survey of Orthodox churches nationwide reported a 78% increase in converts in 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Even more telling, while historically men and women converted in equal numbers, the post-2020 wave has been predominantly male. It seems that when churches unfurl Pride flags and Black Lives Matter banners, young men start looking for the exit signs.

Father Josiah Trenham of Saint Andrew’s Orthodox Church in Riverside, California, has observed this trend firsthand. Over his nearly three-decade tenure, he’s noted a ‘massive uptick’ in interest over the past four to five years, with no signs of slowing down. Trenham attributes this surge to the ‘feminization’ of non-Orthodox forms of Christianity in America, where services often resemble emotional rock concerts more than solemn worship.

In contrast, Orthodox services, with their traditional and masculine forms, offer a refuge for those seeking substance over spectacle. The appeal isn’t limited to the disenchanted faithful. Public figures like psychologist Jordan Peterson have noted the trend, suggesting that the ritualized, unchanging nature of Orthodox ceremonies offers a stability absent in more contemporary services.

After all, when faced with the chaos of modern life, who wouldn’t be drawn to a faith that doesn’t change its doctrines with every passing cultural fad? This movement isn’t just about aesthetics or a yearning for the past. It’s a reaction to the perceived dilution of core Christian teachings in favor of societal acceptance. As churches bend over backward to accommodate every new social movement, they risk alienating those who seek a faith rooted in unwavering principles.

The rise in Orthodox conversions serves as a reminder that, for many, the allure of a 2,000-year-old tradition far outweighs the appeal of a church service that feels more like a TED Talk than a testament of faith. In the end, it seems that when churches trade the sacred for the trendy, they shouldn’t be surprised when their congregants trade up for something more enduring.

As the saying goes, if you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything. And as more believers seek refuge in the ancient traditions of Orthodoxy, it’s clear they’re choosing to stand for something timeless.