Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

 

 

Over the recent decades the number of Russians who attend churches has substantially increased. The most popular ritual is lighting a candle; both Orthodox Christians and non-believers observe this ritual.

MOSCOW, February 27, 2012. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing how often Russians go to churches, and what they usually do there.

The number of Russians who visit churches (mosque or synagogue) has increased from 57 to 71% over the latest sixteen years. Seven percent of Russians go to churches at least once per month; 30% - from time to time, 34% - seldom. Simultaneously, the number of those who do not go to churches has substantially decreased (from 42 to 26%).

Every tenth elderly person, every tenth resident of Moscow and St.Petersburg (11%), and only 5% of young Russians and rural area residents visit churches less than once per month.

As to Orthodox Christians, 83% of them go to churches.  Moreover, 11% of non-believers report they visit churches from time to time.

The most frequently observed ritual is lighting candles in the church; this ritual is equally observed by both those who visit churches rarely and those who do it regularly (80-82%). Besides, this ritual is equally observed by Orthodox Christians (86%) and non-believers (81%). The vast majority of parishioners (38%) just talk to God, 31% pray, 27% venerate the relics; 33% give alms, 29% give money to church. Those who come to church to consecrate things are in the minority   (9%). All the rituals are observed mainly by those who visit temples at least once per month. Eleven percent of Russians report they just watch what happens.

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted February 18-19, 2012. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

How often do you go to church (mosque, synagogue)? (close-ended question, one answer)

1996

2012

Never

42

26

Very rarely

32

34

From time to time

20

30

At least once per month

5

7

No answer

1

3


How often do you go to church (mosque, synagogue)? (close-ended question, one answer)

 

Total respondents

Orthodox Christians

Followers of other religions

Believers outside of confessions

Vacillation between belief and disbelief, non-believers

Never

26

15

32

53

86

Very rare

34

40

21

19

9

From time to time

30

35

29

11

2

At least once per month

7

8

13

6

 0

No answer

3

2

5

11

2


When you come to church, you usually...

(close-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who go to churches)

Total respondents

Visiting churches very rarely

Visiting churches from time to time

Visiting churches at least once per month

Pray

31

20

40

54

Just seat and watch what is happening

11

11

11

10

Talk to God, pray using your own words, ask for yourself

38

30

44

48

Light candles

81

80

82

82

Give alms

33

25

38

48

Give money to church

29

21

35

38

Venerate relics

27

19

34

39

Consecrate things

9

8

9

17

Other

2

2

1

3

Hard to tell

4

5

3

 0


When you come to church, you usually...

(close-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who go to churches)

Total respondents

Orthodox Christians

Followers of other religions

Believers outside of confessions

Vacillation between belief and disbelief, non-believers

Pray

31

31

47

8

5

Just seat and watch what is happening

11

11

10

23

5

Talk to God, pray using your own words, ask for yourself

38

39

32

8

10

Light candles

81

86

26

62

81

Give alms

33

34

29

31

14

Give money to church

29

29

21

31

10

Venerate relics

27

29

14

15

14

Consecrate things

9

9

3

8

10

Other

2

2

 

8

 

Hard to tell

4

3

6

8

14

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!

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