Sports Orthodoxy: Looking for/Documenting Orthodox Athletes

[Gxg (G²)]

Shalom

Was doing some research recently in light of how I've been rather fascianted of late studying the history of sports and seeing the ways that they've extensively been used not only as an outlet for entertainment...but also as a means for social activism and challenging political systems which may be corrupt. The name of one of the books I investigated was The Victor's Crown:A History of Ancient Sport from Homer to Byzantium. Very fascinating read on the significance sports played in antiquity and the ways that they can still shape things today..

​

In the same way that Maximus challenged the Emperor of Rome via his symbolic status as a Gladiator (the equivalent of a celebrity/entertainer in that day) - which was very intriguing, even though some aspects of the film were not historical.

Gladiator (5/8) Movie CLIP - My Name is Maximus (2000) HD​

From a modern historical perspective, I was studying the example of Muhammad Ali and amazed at what he symbolized when he boldly challenged the government during the Vietnam War - evading the draft due and inspiring millions due to his using his position to take a stand against something he felt was morally wrong..regardless of the consequences. In studying on his history for a class in Graduate School when we were learning on Malcolm X/the Nation of Islam, it was amazing to see the ways that a split had occurred - and Malcolm X's relationship with Ali was highly political since he could use the position as a boxer for being a platform for spreading theological beliefs....and when the Nation of Islam saw this as well, they sought to make Ali a part of their camp in the hopes that he'd represent them.

Although Ali later broke with them just as Malcolm X did, the significance of what occurred amazed me since it reminded me of the ways that it's NEVER just sports. A group that was on the margins of society and yet fostering revolutionary ideas understood the things they could use to their advantage to promote what they were about - and I can't but see the same today with believers when it feels like they're increasingly on the margins in a Post-Christian society.​

People often seem to rally around symbols and others in power are very aware of the power symbolism carries with it...one of the reasons there seems to be such a battle over who controls the media influence of our culture - and who knows how it has been used in times past. Paul seemed to have the same awareness of things (IMHO) when seeing what sports represented in his days - as Paul had been aware of the Isthmian Games - and it's one of the reasons why he described the Christian life in terms of athletic metaphors since his goal was to win the “race” of the Christian life, not to lose it (Phil. 3:12-14; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; 2 Tim. 4:6-8) - and that imagery would not have been lost in an empire that was vehemently against Christians/the ways believers seemed to work within the system to promote truth...​

In the times we live in when others are wondering how to be vocal on their faith/spread the Gospel, it has been seeming more and more the case that people have to reshape their mindset and find alternative ways of connecting with the population....sports being a huge venue. Yet when I went in search of those who are representative of things in the world of Orthodoxy/Ancient Christianity, it didn't seem very widespread. Most of the famous atheletes who were believers generally seemed to represent for others in a Protestant/Evangelical viewpoint.​

Folks love Ray Lewis with the Baltimore Ravens (even if many cannot stand it when he says they win games because he prayed for God to give favor) - and they love Tim Tebow. But you don't really see anyone who's explictly Orthodox and yet well know. I've researched some names before with Orthodox atheltes but I lost the information sadly.​

That said, if anyone is aware of any famous atheletes....really any atheletes ..who happen to be Orthodox Christians, I'd love to hear sometime. Also, if you have information on the ways you've seen sports have a huge political/social impact that believers can use to their advantage, I'd love to hear. I am again collecting together an exhaustive list so that I can hopefully do a presentation on the matter later in the future. To those able to help, thanks in advance ​

 

[buzuxi02]

well, There was/is

Vladi Divac,
Novak Djokovic,
Jaromir Jagr
Fedor Emelianenko
Nadia Comaneci
The most outspoken of course is Troy Palamalu. There are more of course, but these are the ones that are known to be more than simply nominal Orthodox Christians.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

well, There was/is

Vladi Divac,
Novak Djokovic,
Jaromir Jagr
Fedor Emelianenko
Nadia Comaneci
The most outspoken of course is Troy Palamalu. There are more of course, but these are the ones that are known to be more than simply nominal Orthodox Christians.

Troy Palamalu was one of the others whom I remembered learning of - and thanks for bringing his name to my remembrace. Very down to earth..yet amazing testimony

The Christian Faith of Troy Polamalu - CBN.com - YouTube

It was frustrating to see the ways that he as well as other atheletes seemed to be overshadowed by other players who seemed to be more vocal like Tim Tebow. "I often think about Troy Polamalu, who you will hear Pittsburgh Steelers players say is the most religious athlete in football," Dodd told USA Today. "He crosses himself before every play and sometimes after. He prays during plays." It was cool to see how he convinced his wife to convert to Orthodox Christianity in 2007, the same year he took a religious pilgrimage to Orthodox Christian locations in Greece and Turkey...later naming both his children (Paisios, and Ephraim) after legendary Greek Orthodox Christian Saints. It's a blessing to see how he has noted that “Football is part of my life but not life itself,” .

Outside of him, there was another who won in the Olympics last year - a female Ethopian runner and Orthodox Christian, Meseret Defar, who showed the image of Our Lady, carried in her shirt after she won the gold medal in the 5000m race. [source]

There was one I came across known as Ksenia Afanaseva – Russian gymnast and another Orthodox Christian

 

[Mary of Bethany]

Pavel Datsyuk - Detroit Red Wings
Alex Ovechkin - Washington Capitols
Alexander Semin - (not sure which team he's with now)
Vladi Divac - former NBA star

There are lots of professional tennis players from Russia/Eastern Europe who are Orthodox, like Maria Kirilenko, who is engaged to Alex Ovechkin.
Maria Sharapova, Anna Ivanovic, are a couple of the other women.

Novak Djokovic is world #1, and is a practicing Orthodox Christian, so I would say he is the best known Orthodox athlete worldwide. Perhaps the Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis. There are others, but those are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Mary

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Pavel Datsyuk - Detroit Red Wings
Alex Ovechkin - Washington Capitols
Alexander Semin - (not sure which team he's with now)
Vladi Divac - former NBA star

There are lots of professional tennis players from Russia/Eastern Europe who are Orthodox, like Maria Kirilenko, who is engaged to Alex Ovechkin.
Maria Sharapova, Anna Ivanovic, are a couple of the other women.

Cool Do you happen to have a favorite you keep up with in the same way others kept up with the atheletes they really enjoy?

It's rather amazing to see how extensive the list is of others who are involved. I was tripped out learning of one individual who was in the sport of Martial Arts and really intense in his walk with the Lord. For more:

• A Japanese Martial Artist Receives Orthodox Baptism
• MYSTAGOGY: Mixed Martial Arts Champion is a Pious Orthodox

Novak Djokovic is world #1, and is a practicing Orthodox Christian, so I would say he is the best known Orthodox athlete worldwide. Perhaps the Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis. There are others, but those are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Mary

Thanks again for letting me know. Will look into Novak Djokovic

 

[Mary of Bethany]

Cool Do you happen to have a favorite you keep up with in the same way others kept up with the atheletes they really enjoy?

It's rather amazing to see how extensive the list is of others who are involved. I was tripped out learning of one individual who was in the sport of Martial Arts and really intense in his walk with the Lord. For more:

• A Japanese Martial Artist Receives Orthodox Baptism
• MYSTAGOGY: Mixed Martial Arts Champion is a Pious Orthodox

Thanks again for letting me know. Will look into Novak Djokovic

I love to watch tennis & hockey. I follow Djokovic's career pretty closely. I don't really follow Pavel Datsyuk of the Red Wings, but he's a really great and humble player, so I'm always glad to see him on the hockey highlights. I've heard that he, like Djokovic, attends Liturgy regularly wherever he is.

Jaromir Jagr converted to Orthodoxy several years ago, and this year he's playing in Dallas, so I've wondered if he attends Liturgy at the Cathedral here, which is close to where they play.

Mary

 

[ArmyMatt]

Evan Lysacek, who won figure skating at the Olympics (the one before the last one)

 

[buzuxi02]

Troy Palamalu was one of the others whom I remembered learning of - and thanks for bringing his name to my remembrace. There was another who won in the Olympics last year - a female Ethopian runner and Orthodox Christian, Meseret Defar, who showed the image of Our Lady, carried in her shirt after she won the gold medal in the 5000m race. [source]

There was one I came across known as Ksenia Afanaseva – Russian gymnast and another Orthodox Christian

Thanx for the link to the martial artists, i never heard of him before. I know from one of the previous NYC marathons , the winner was an Ethiopian who did the sign of the cross as he crssed the finishing line. Dont remember which year and there have been like 3 Ethiopian winners.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

I love to watch tennis & hockey.

Can dig tennis - but hockey is a struggle for me honestly. Nonetheless, feeling the fact that you dig it since I'd never have seen you as being into it before you mentioned it

I follow Djokovic's career pretty closely. I don't really follow Pavel Datsyuk of the Red Wings, but he's a really great and humble player, so I'm always glad to see him on the hockey highlights. I've heard that he, like Djokovic, attends Liturgy regularly wherever he is.

Interesting to hear. I wonder what his perspective is when he's on the ice playing ....specifically, how he sees his faith influencing what he does and why he acts as he does in sports.

Jaromir Jagr converted to Orthodoxy several years ago, and this year he's playing in Dallas, so I've wondered if he attends Liturgy at the Cathedral here, which is close to where they play.

Mary

Would be cool to see in action

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Thanx for the link to the martial artists, i never heard of him before. .

He's a very wonderful individual..

Reminds me of Karate Kid everytime I see him in action ..

I know from one of the previous NYC marathons , the winner was an Ethiopian who did the sign of the cross as he crssed the finishing line. Dont remember which year and there have been like 3 Ethiopian winners

Did not know that...

 

[Gxg (G²)]

well, There was/is

Vladi Divac,
Novak Djokovic,
Jaromir Jagr
Fedor Emelianenko
Nadia Comaneci
The most outspoken of course is Troy Palamalu. There are more of course, but these are the ones that are known to be more than simply nominal Orthodox Christians.

Ones I really enjoy in action are Peja Stojakovic. So enjoyed seeing his faith in action - as Peja Stojakovic of the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets partnered with IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Atheletes) to provide $200,000 in wheelchairs and other mobility devices to more than 160 disabled people in Thessaloniki, Greece. ..and he has previously partnered with IOCC to provide medical assistance and clothing to children in Serbia and Montenegro.

In addition to him, I was floored when realizing that one of the atheltes many of my friends love - Dwyane Tyrone Wade, Jr of the Miami Heats - well other EO lists for atheletes listed him as belonging to them. Would never have guessed it looking at the man and seeing him in action - although he is a is a devout believer who happened to choose the number 3 because it represents the Holy Trinity. Specfically, according to the Heat’s website, ever since his days at Marquette University, Dwyane wears the number three on his jersey and dribbles three times before every free throw to honor the Holy Trinity. It is his way of showing his faith in the game. It seems others suspected him of perhaps being secretly Orthodox (like some suspect with C.S Lewis) when it seems Dwyane’s faith is evident in his style of play, from his uniform to the reason he does what he does.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

At my parish, Troy Palomalu is a type of Olympian GOD because he's Orthodox. I could care LESS! I hate the Pittsburgh Squeelers. I could care less if Pittsburgh drafted the Patriarch of Serbia, Irenej, as their new QB with the Ecumenical Patriarch on special teams, I'd still pull against 'em! LOL....

Go Niners!

 

[ArmyMatt]

At my parish, Troy Palomalu is a type of Olympian GOD because he's Orthodox. I could care LESS! I hate the Pittsburgh Squeelers. I could care less if Pittsburgh drafted the Patriarch of Serbia, Irenej, as their new QB with the Ecumenical Patriarch on special teams, I'd still pull against 'em! LOL....

Go Niners!

none of us PA boys have any qualm against the 9ers, at least none that I know. dark times when you gotta go against a non rival.

I weep without crying

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I keep forgetting my pal, Matt, is a Penn guy.

Ok, here's the deal----I have NO PROBLEM with Pennsylvania fans pulling for Pennsylvania teams. If I grew up in Penn, I'd be a raging fan!

But here in California, and only in this nutty state, do we have weirdos who pull for out-of-state teams to a high, silly degree! I'm serious when I say, it's insane! There are Steelers fans, Yankees fans, Bulls and Bears fans, and A ZILLION COWBOYS FANS here! It's ridiculous! Celtics fans all over. Californians are infamously disloyal to their franchises. Why? heck if I can say!

Anyway, I'm tired of the Steelers fans here who never have even been to Pennsylvania! :o

But also, I'm not a fan. I always thought they were a bit of a thuggish team. Can't stand Worthlessburger. Liked Ward though. Any guy who has played for both the Steelers AND the Gotham Rogues, well, you have to respect him. Cower was a standup guy, too. I'll take 'em over the Pats any day!

none of us PA boys have any qualm against the 9ers, at least none that I know. dark times when you gotta go against a non rival.

I weep without crying

 

[Gxg (G²)]

At my parish, Troy Palomalu is a type of Olympian GOD because he's Orthodox. I could care LESS!

Yeah - atheletes are not better or worse based on whether they're Orthodox - as for many people, it's the pragmatic side of things in seeing what team they're with and the skill they have. Troy is still an amazing dude and his faith does shine well....

I hate the Pittsburgh Squeelers. I could care less if Pittsburgh drafted the Patriarch of Serbia, Irenej, as their new QB with the Ecumenical Patriarch on special teams, I'd still pull against 'em! LOL....

Go Niners!

GASP!!

That's blasphemy...

Ultimately, of course, I am really pragmatic when it comes to teams/sports - as I never had loyalty to any specific team when it comes to sports since my focus is more so on the enjoyment of the game , as well as seeing the political aspect of them.. (#57 / #58 ) since SPorts carry a lot of power.... and have been used to save the world before. Even the president is aware of that, as the man is definately an amazing Basketball player and sports fan and that's something that connects with a lot of people ( #568 #570 #615 ), even though a lot of folks would automatically be against whatever team he endorses solely because of his political views oppossing theirs - in the same way some folks wouldn't go for Pittsburgh even if men of God with high status were having their back

With cheering others on without really being loyal regardless, I've only done that with one team - Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan. Will always be close to my heart - but outside of them, I really don't have any concern....and as Sao Feng said best in the Pirates of the Caribbean series:

"There is no honor in remaining with the losing side, leaving it for the winning side…that's just good business."
​

Of course, I do enjoy rooting for the underdog - and hence, when the SUperbowl occurred, I was rooting for the 49iners and sad they didn't win (#37 )..

 

[Gxg (G²)]

At my parish, Troy Palomalu is a type of Olympian GOD because he's Orthodox. I could care LESS! I hate the Pittsburgh Squeelers.

Regardless of where Troy stands team wise, I'd rather have someone of his caliber representing things on a high level than some other atheletes who are on the scene. Don't know if you know of it - but Dennis Rodman recently became an avid spokesman for the dictator of North Korea.

Dennis Rodman 'This Week' Interview: NBA Basketball Star Discusses Kim Jong Un, North Korea Visit - YouTube

Examining Rodman's Trip To North Korea

Truthfully, I wish you'd see it on a wide-scale level where others like Troy Palomalu would have more coverage than those prone to be controversial in their lifestyle. Imagine having a person of well-ground faith//caliber like Troy in the position of influence with world leaders instead of having others like ROdman (even though Rodman had good points)....for it'd give an entirely differing perspective on the ways sports are used to and what comes out as solutions via sports

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Shout-outs to all of them for what they represent to others and have offered folks, even though they've lost a good bit...

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Novak Djokovic is world #1, and is a practicing Orthodox Christian, so I would say he is the best known Orthodox athlete worldwide. Perhaps the Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis. There are others, but those are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head.

May sound wild to consider - but I was hoping that at some point someone like Michael Jordan would come to faith and potentially come into contact with some Orthodox folks - be it a priest or other atheletes who're rooted/strong in their faith and yet having a competive spirt like he does. Ultimately, as long as he finds the Lord, that's what matters and the Lord will work with him where he's at - but how wild it'd be if he happened to run into an Ethiopian Orthodox parish /become part of the Church?

Short of becoming the #1 Orthodox athlete worldwide in an instant, it'd really bring a lot to light on how deep faith in the Lord can help others find their way. Regardless, I do pray the man finds peace - as I was keeping up with him since he has always been amongst my favorite players I keep up with....and yet it seems like he has struggled in reaching the top/not feeling like he has anything left. There was a good story on the individual that really brought the issue home from ESPN:

• OTL: Michael Jordan Has Not Left The Building - ESPN

With six NBA titles, five MVPs, ten scoring titles, 14 All-Star appearances, and many other feats posterized on the bedroom walls of many, Jordan's legacy on the basketball court is unmatched. But life off the court, particularly since his final retirement in 2003, hasn't been so pristine. The article from ESPN was in anticipation of Jordan's 50th birthday - with the product being a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into the mind of the man who revolutionized the world of sports.

The piece from ESPN seems to give a strong sense that Jordan isn't happy. In Jordan's words, "I would give up everything now to go back and play the game of basketball,"...and when asked how he replaces it, Jordan simply states, "You don't. You learn to live with it."

The article was a very transparent window into the soul of this great athlete - and reading it left me a bit sad for Michael. For it's a bit disconcerting to witness Michael at 50 years old still having that competitive spirit that fueled his passion for excellence at the game..and yet seeming to have no outlet. As disciplined as he is, it seems like he'd thrive more if he became aware of spiritual disciplines/the benefit they can offer where physical disciplines in sports cannot - and for Michael, there doesn't seem to be a pinnacle higher than the one Michael Jordan has reached since Jordan is, for all intents and purposes, on the top of the world (i.e. his rare combination of gifts/ drive, billions of dollars, well-recognized name, etc.).

Sad to see him as a restless wanderer.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Well, when you say "they," if you're referring to my lowly Warriors, then you're ok. If you're saying "they" referring to my beloved Giants, we've been a dominant team in the past 5 years, and downright nasty in 2010 and 2012. The Niners have also a proud legacy of 5 rings, plus dominance and return to glory in the past couple years with next year looking again to be up and hopeful, possibly going all the way again. Sharks? I'm not a hockey guy, just had to represent! LOL...they've had their moments.

Shout-outs to all of them for what they represent to others and have offered folks, even though they've lost a good bit...