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July 15, 2009

Significant Increase in Number of Practicing Believers in Romania


July 13, 2009
http://portal-credo.ru

The Romanian Patriarchate's information agency, "Basilica", released details of research, showing an increase in the number of practicing believers in Romania, reports "Patriarhiya.Ru". In 2008, nearly half (48%) of Romanians attended church at least once a month.

In 1993 the figure did not exceed 30%. This trend is typical for all age groups, except for those born before 1929 - because of the natural decline in their physical abilities.

Already in 2005, Romania ranked first in Europe in the number of practicing believers -- 25% -- ahead of Poland and Italy and almost twice the average European rate of those who attended church at least once a month. The lowest numbers in Europe are for Sweden, Norway, Finland, France and Russia.

In 2008 85% of the population had confidence in the Romanian Orthodox Church. According to this index, it is significantly ahead of all other public and State institutions in the country.