Question 1

How to become an Orthodox Christian

Accepted Answer

“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.
  
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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.

Question 2

What is a catechumen?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Our Catechism Program

Accepted Answer

St. Andrew Orthodox church offers a comprehensive catechism program.  Catechism is a time of learning and preparation to enter the Eastern Orthodox Church through Holy Baptism.   Once a person goes through orientation they begin to complete various requirements in the catechism program.  Part of this process will be to meet with the priest and get his blessing to become a catechumen.  The requirements in the St. Andrew catechism program are designed to help catechumens:Learn the teachings of the Church - a wide range of foundational theology about God, who we are as human beings, the Church, and more.Learn how to live a God centered life in His Church according to the teachings of Christ.Learn how to become increasingly what God intended us to be when He created us – the process of deification.  Catechumen requirements that are completed before Holy Baptism include:Attending church servicesAttending classesReading books and scriptureEngaging in various projects and activities that help form Orthodox practice Once a person completes the catechism program and has been a catechumen for a sufficient period of time, they will be received into the Church through Holy Baptism.  This is done on Holy Saturday morning each year.  The newly illumined then celebrate the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha that evening.  It is a joyful celebration!  If you have questions about the Eastern Orthodox faith, our catechumen program, or would like to become a catechumen, reach out to our Catechism Office and we will assist you.   Contact info: 951-369-6609 or catechism@saintandrew.net

Becoming Orthodox

How to become an Orthodox Christian

What is a catechumen?

Our Catechism Program