List of Eastern Orthodox Christians
This is primarily a list of notable people who contributed to the history of Eastern Orthodox Christianity's theology or culture. However it is also for people whose Eastern Orthodox identity is an important part of their notability. As there are many nations that are predominantly Eastern Orthodox names from such nations should usually meet a stricter standard, but in the case of converts their conversion might be notable enough to make an exception.
Artists
Athletes
Entrepreneurs/Industrialists
Gus S. Dolianitis, Danville, VA
Elaine Pristouris (Greek Orthodox) Vienna, VA
Entertainers
- F. Murray Abraham, former Syrian Orthodox altar boy [1]
- John Belushi, Member of the Albanian Orthodox Church in childhood; his funeral was in that faith [2]
- James Belushi, Member of the Albanian Orthodox Church, John's brother.
- Charles Bronson, former Russian Orthodox, son of a Kryashen.
- George Chakiris - Contributor to a Greek Orthodox Cathedral [3]
- Sandra Dee - (birth name: Alexandra Cymboliak Zuck). One time wife of Bobby Darin. Raised Russian Orthodox in New Jersey. Her mother was of Carpathian Russian ancestry.
- Jamie Farr - M*A*S*H* Actor (Klinger, the one who wore dresses). Raised Antiochian Orthodox in Toledo Ohio - is of Syrian/ Lebanese Ancestry.
- Tina Fey [4] - Greek-American on her mother's side and married in a Greek Orthodox wedding.
- Zach Galifianakis - Baptized at St. Barbara's Greek Orthodox Church in Durham, NC
- Tom Hanks - Converted on marrying Rita Wilson, mention by Saint Sophia Cathedral, Los Angeles. [5][6]
- Melina Kanakaredes - St. Nicholas's Greek Orthodox Church listed her as a possible speaker, credits the church as helpful to her in youth. [7][8]
- Elia Kazan - The director. Born to Greek parents who immigrated from the Ottoman Empire to the United States. [9]
- Emir Kusturica - Serbian Orthodox. Raised in a Bosnian Muslim Family. His conversion gained some media attention. [10]
- Larry Lindale - Actor (also an Historian). Russian Orthodox - converted from Presbyterian Church. Reportedly has Russian Ancestry.
- Karl Malden (Mladen Sekulovich) was said to have been Serbian Orthodox.
- Constantine Maroulis - Greek Orthodox, brother of Athan Maroulis [11][12]
- Debbie Matenopoulos [13][14]
- Christopher Orr - convert from Lutheranism (Some possibility of confusion here with Orthodox church reader Christopher Orr)
- Christopher Sarantakos "Criss Angel", American of Greek descent. Can be seen crossing himself in an Orthodox manner during his shows, however it is unknown if he is a practicing Orthodox Christian.
- Telly Savalas - Contributed to Greek Orthodox Cathedrals and his bald image began after playing Pontius Pilate [15]
- Amy Sedaris - American actress, author and comedian
- Nia Vardalos Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church site
- Rita Wilson [16][17]
- Lana Wood - (birth name: Svetlana Gurdin - family name changed from Zakharenko). Russian Orthodox actress - sister of Natalie Wood.
- Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko - Russian Orthodox actress known as Natalie Wood.[18]
Musicians/Composers
- Maksym Berezovsky - Known for religious music [19]
- Dmytro Bortniansky - Religious music.[20]
- Bill Evans [21]
- Alexander Frey - Conductor, pianist, organist and composer, was baptized in the Greek Orthodox church, but is also a practicing Episcopalian.
- David Gahan - English lead singer for Depeche Mode, converted to Greek Orthodox Christianity to marry his current wife Jennifer.
- Constance Geanakoplos, Concert pianist
- Chris Hillman - original member of The Byrds
- Lena Katina - Member of Russian music group t.A.T.u.
- Boris Ledkovsky - Russian-American composer of Church music
- Bob Marley - was baptized by the Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church in Kingston, Jamaica, on November 4, 1980 [22] [23] Bob Marley#Religion
- George Michael - celebrity pop singer, a Greek-Cypriote.[1]
- Dimitris Mitropoulos - Conductor, pianist and composer. Music Director of the New York Philharmonic and the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra.
- Stevan Stojanović Mokranjac - one of the most famous Serbian composers and music educators of the nineteenth century.
- Lauryn Hill - Baptized into the Ethiopian Orthodox Church with the name "Fikerte Maryam"
- Inva Mula - Albanian Orthodox, famous opera singer.
- Arvo Pärt - known for religious music, convert from Lutheranism [24]
- Tose Proeski - Macedonian pop singer
- Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - Possibly atheist after some point, but did Russian Orthodox church music.
- Sergei Rachmaninoff [25]
- Mstislav Rostropovich - Conductor, National Symphony, Cellist
- Thomas Simaku - Albanian Orthodox, famous composer.
- Igor Stravinsky - Left the faith from 1900 to 1926, after rejoining he did Symphony of Psalms.[2]
- John Tavener - Converted to Orthodoxy, and much of his music is influenced by that. He is now often said to be Universalist or Perrenialist, although he himself says that he remains Orthodox.
- Julia Volkova Member of Russian music group t.A.T.u
- Stephen M. Wolownik - Church music early on
- Steven Delopoulos - Folk singer/songwriter, lead singer for Burlap to Cashmere
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - a Russian composer of the Romantic era. His wide ranging output includes symphonies, operas, ballets, instrumental and chamber music and songs.
Historians
Journalists
Linguists
Modern politicians
Note: Most political figures in the Byzantine Empire, or most other Medieval Eastern European Empires, would be in least nominally Eastern Orthodox. Therefore this is limited to modern times, specifically after 1800. For United States entries Political Graveyard was used for this section, but additional sources are encouraged.
The list is not complete; the vast majority of politicians in countries such as Greece, Cyprus, Russia, Serbia and others are Eastern Orthodox.
United States / Canada
Europe / Middle East
Scientists
Writers/philosophers
Theologians and clergy
References
Sources
On the politics section the main source is Political Graveyard: Eastern Orthodox Politicians.
For other sections Adherents.com Famous Adherents Eastern Orthodox Christians and NNDB.com were used. As these are unreliable additional searches on each individual were used for verification.
See also