“The process of becoming an Orthodox Christian can be compared very closely to the process of becoming a married person for it involves the same basic movements of courtship, engagement and marriage. When a person first becomes interested in the Orthodox Church a series of initial interactions take place. Perhaps one visits for a liturgy, researches Orthodoxy on-line, or engages in a conversation with a friend who is Orthodox. If these initial interactions are blessed, a more studied process of inquiry follows which can be compared to the process of courtship. One who launches into this dance with the Church is called by the Church an inquirer or a seeker.” From Starting Down the Royal Path: How to Become an Orthodox Christian By Archpriest Josiah Trenham, Ph.D.

Click here to read entire article: Starting Down the Royal Path: How to Become an Orthodox Christian.

After launching into the “dance” as an inquirer and determining with their priest that it is appropriate for them, one can then become a catechumen and begin formal preparation for being received into the Orthodox Christian Church.

A catechumen (Greek: κατηχούμενος) is one who is preparing for baptism in the Church. In modern usage, catechumen can also refer to one who is preparing for chrismation (or another form of reception) to be received from a heterodox Christian communion.

In the ancient Church, the catechumenate, or time during which one is a catechumen, often lasted for as much as three years and included not only participation in the divine services but also catechesis, formal instruction from a teacher, often the bishop or appointed catechist. Exorcists often performed the catechetical role, as well, following their initial prayers of exorcism over the one being made a catechumen, which is the traditional manner of receiving a catechumen into the community of the Church.

Catechumens are understood to be Christians upon beginning their catechumenate, and should they die before baptism, they are traditionally given an Orthodox funeral.

As the Church eventually became the majority religion of the lands in which it sojourned, the catechumenate as an institution gradually died out in many places, as most Christians were being baptized shortly after birth. As Orthodoxy has moved into the West and Far East and begun gaining converts to the faith, the catechumenate has been significantly rejuvenated.

Catechetical instruction in Orthodoxy in America does not typically last the three years which was common in the time of St. John Chrysostom, but typically can last from six months to a year, depending on the practice of the bishop, his jurisdiction, and the level of spiritual maturity of the catechumen. Local parish priests typically oversee the catechesis of those preparing to be received into the Church.

The Orthodox Church has no formal catechism, a single body of work that details the specifics of its faith. This is one difference between the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, who does have a specific catechism.

If the new catechumen was registered on the membership role of another religious body, the catechumen must upon being enrolled as a catechumen write to this body and ask to be removed from their previous membership roster. This is exceedingly important should the catechumen die during catechism so that the Orthodox burial may take place unhindered.

• Attend Sunday Liturgies and Feast Day Liturgies, and other weekly services as possible (Liturgies, Vespers, etc.) for at least a year before being received.

• Present yourself for the Catechumen Litany in the weekly Sunday service and follow the Catechist out of the temple to receive weekly instruction.

• Attend Lenten Services – these are your primary preparation.

• Present yourself for Catechumen Litany in Presanctified Liturgies during Great Lent - Wednesdays 6pm.

• Fill out all of the required forms and return them to the Catechumen Coordinator (return the Personal Information form right away. The others as they are completed). The Prayer Rule should be filled out as soon as possible and approved by Father so that this Orthodox practice can be formed as part of preparation for being received.

• Prepare and make a life confession – the sooner the better. Establish regular confession practice (at least monthly).

• Visit at least two other Orthodox Churches during catechumenate and provide this information to the Catechumen Coordinator.

• Turn in pledge cards (Financial and Time and Talent) ideally upon becoming a catechumen. Once pledges are established, a new pledge card should be submitted every year during the pledge drive.

• Read and follow the guidance in Starting Down the Royal Path: How to Become Orthodox – this should be done upon becoming a catechumen.

• Read all of the assigned books and inform the Catechumen Coordinator upon their completion.

• Fill out the baptism certificate information form and return to Coordinator with a $10 check made to “Antiochian Archdiocese” for your baptism/chrismation certificate.

• You will need to find a Godparent/Sponsor. You must discuss your choice with the Priest prior to asking the potential sponsor. The sponsor will need to be approved to be your sponsor by the Priest.

Preparing to be Received at Holy Pascha

• You will need a baptism cross, baptism candle and a towel

• Black clothing for baptism must be obtained. It should be loose and modest. Men can wear a large black T-shirt and long shorts. Women should wear a black one-piece bathing suit covered by a large black T-shirt or other loose garment that falls below the hips with long black shorts or leggings.

Note: If you are only being Chrismated, you will not need a towel or black clothing.

• You need to make sure you have an icon of your Patron Saint. If it has not been blessed, you will want to bring it to the Baptism so it can be blessed.

• Obtain a baptismal robe. You will need a fitting. This will be coordinated as Pascha approaches. Rental of a robe is $25 and purchase of a robe is $85. Everyone being received needs a robe.

• Review the Baptism/Chrismation Service once a week during Lent.

• The candle should be 15-18” long and bees wax. They are decorated for the occasion. You want to plan for getting your candle early enough to find and purchase one. It can take time to find the candle of your choice. Candles must have a cup on them to keep them from dripping wax on the marble floor.