How to become an Orthodox Christian
Show the light of thy countenance, O Master, upon those who are preparing for holy illumination and who desire to put away the defilement of sin. Enlighten their understanding. Establish them in the faith. Strengthen them in hope. Perfect them in love. Make them honorable members of thy Christ, who gave himself for our souls. For thou art our Illumination, and unto thee we ascribe glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
“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).
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.
What is a Catechumen?
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.
Inquirer/Catechumen Classes
The Main Text for Catechism class is: “The Faith: An Orthodox Catechism” by Clark Carlton
Catechumens are required to read a series of books prior to baptism and chrismation. These books can be purchased in the Bookstore. In addition, an article called Starting Down the Royal Path: How to Become an Orthodox Christian, must be studied by catechumens.
The online link to the article is: Starting Down the Royal Path
PERSONAL/SPIRITUAL PREPARATIONS
Complete catechesis – Complete a year of inquirer/catechumen sessions, including required reading and attendance of services; speak with pastor to ensure all requirements have been fulfilled prior to reception into the Church. For families with children who are seeking reception into the Church, speak with pastor about proper formation of children (based on age) – attendance of church school on Sundays, presence at church services, and daily prayer with the family provide a strong basis for preparation.
Notify pastor if you will not be able to attend any of the sessions – absences may result in delaying eligibility for reception into the Church.
Memorize the Nicene Creed - The Nicene Cree (The Symbol of the Faith) should be memorized prior to the baptism service, sponsors should help ensure that the godchildren-to-be have the Creed memorized; prior to the baptism the catechumen should recite the creed to his/her sponsor and they should discuss its basic meaning. We will provide a printed version of the creed for those who will be baptized on the day of the baptism
Establish a prayer rule – Determine when you will pray each day, what will be the content/format of your daily prayers, and also consider how you will make a priority of being present for Church services - we should all be present at the major feasts of the Church. Seek counsel from the pastor if you would like specific guidance regarding establishing a prayer rule. Discuss your prayer with the pastor as early as possible.
Read the Bible daily – Determine when you will spend time reading Holy Scripture each day, and what you will read.
Fasting – Do you know, and are you keeping, the standards for fasting in the Orthodox Church? Plan on adhering to the prescribed fasting times during the Church year; seek counsel if you have specific questions regarding how and when to fast.
Plan for confession – Confession serves as a continual renewal of our baptism and is an ongoing, therapeutic, process in the life of the believer; determine how you will prioritize regular confession, to whom you will confess (who will be your Father Confessor – likely your parish priest). A life confession will be given prior to baptism; it is recommended that you go to confession at least four times each year.
Plan for financial giving – The Orthodox Church is a tithing church; plan for regular/monthly financial stewardship; financial giving is a spiritual matter, we should offer unto God from the first-fruits of what we receive, this is a matter of personal importance, and helps with the general maintenance and upkeep of our beautiful parish community (if you have specific questions about financial stewardship, speak with the pastor).
Identify a patron saint - The catechumen is encouraged to propose to the pastor a patron saint as soon as possible. It is recommended that if the catechumen already has a Christian name that this name be retained. Devotion to this saint should begin, if not already in existence. Please read “Christian Names & Patron Saints,” for a little more about why we have patron saints in the Orthodox tradition. Catechumens must obtain the blessing of the priest for their proposed patron saint.
Begin familiarizing with the Prayers before Communion, in the prayer book. As Orthodox Christians we fast and pray in preparation for receiving the holy mysteries at the Divine Liturgy. It’s a helpful practice, as you’re preparing for reception into the Church, to begin saying these prayers before the Liturgy (evening before, or morning of) by way of anticipation. Prayers before communion must be said before each time we received the eucharist (if we neglect to say prayers in preparation on a given day, then we abstain from receiving on that day).
Upon becoming a Catechumen - 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. We should all strive to be present at Great Vespers services (Saturday evenings and feast days), and to come at least once per week, if possible. The Feasts of the Church include:
Palm Sunday (one week before Pascha)
Great and Holy Pascha (date varies from year to year)
Ascension (40 days after Pascha)
Pentecost (50 days after Pascha)
Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8)
Exaltation of the Cross (September 14)
Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple (November 21)
Nativity of Christ (December 25)
Theophany (January 6)
The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple (February 2)
The Annunciation of the Theotokos (March 25)
Holy Transfiguration (August 6)
Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15)
Also…plan on attending services during Great Lent, attend as often as possible.
Present yourself for the Catechumen Litany in the weekly Sunday service and festal liturgies.
If a Catechumen during Great Lent, - Attend Lenten Services, these are your primary preparation.
Obtain a sponsor – Identify someone that you have developed a spiritual kinship with, someone whom you think is willing and able to provide ongoing support, this should be done prayerfully, and must be approved by the pastor. For infants it is common to have godparents, two people who will jointly serve as sponsors for the child.
Schedule life confession (ages 7 and above) - Aim to complete within two weeks prior to baptism, if possible.
PREPARATION CHECKLIST
Completion of reading*:
“The Orthodox Way” – Timothy Ware
“The Way of the Ascetics” – Tito Colliander
”The Beginnings of a Life of Prayer” - Archimandrite (now Bishop) Irenei Steenberg
“For the Life of the World” – Fr. Alexander Schmemann
“On the Incarnation” – St. Athanasius
*Notify the pastor upon completion of reading each of these texts.
Also recommended:
“Orthodox Spirituality,” Met. HIEROTHEOS Vlachos
“Beginning to Pray,” Met. ANTHONY Bloom
“Acquiring the Mind of Christ,” Archimandrite Sergius (Bowyer)
“The Orthodox Church,” Met. KALLISTOS Ware
“Fr. Seraphim Rose, His Life and Works,” Hieromonk Damascene (currently out of publication)
“The Way of a Pilgrim,” Unknown
“On the Priesthood,” St. John Chrysostom
“Wounded by Love,” St. Porphyrios
“Father Arseny, 1893-1973: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father : Being the Narratives Compiled by the Servant of God Alexander Concerning His Spiritual Father,” Vera Bouteneff, trans.
”Great Lent,” Fr. Alexander Schmemann
AFTER BAPTISM - “The Life in Christ,” St. Nicholas Cabasilas (a deeper dive into the meaning of the mysteries/sacraments of The Church)
PRACTICAL PREPARATIONS IN ADVANCE (once date of reception has been determined)
Order cross & chain
If you want a costly cross, you may want to tell the Godparent/Sponsor that you are making this purchase. If your Sponsor is planning to purchase your cross, you need to discuss how it is to be selected, as some Sponsors feel that they will choose one and present it to you. It is good to work these things out in advance.
Order icons of the patron saints of the newly illumined (if they don’t already have them)
Label cross & chain
Obtain Baptismal gown/white garment (adults meet with senior Deacon for fitting)
White towels (church has some, but please bring your own; any color of towel can be used in the restrooms when changing).
Baptism Candles will be provided by the church
SUPPLIES FOR YOU TO BRING INTO THE NAVE ON THE DAY OF BAPTISM
Cross & Chain – labelled with first name; hand to Deacon or Subdeacon
White towel placed near baptismal font
Baptismal Candle – provided by St. Paul Flower Coordinator
WHAT TO WEAR IN THE SERVICE BEFORE GETTING BAPTISED
Babies – have infant wrapped in a white towel, wearing only a diaper, at the beginning of the service.
Adults - black clothing for baptism must be obtained. It should be loose and modest (e.g. black slacks and t-shirt).
WHAT TO CHANGE INTO
Babies - white garment, typically a “baptismal gown” is used, but simple, white garments are acceptable (remember, no tights/socks, or they will have to be removed for chrismation)
Adult – “church clothes”/”Sunday best,” this will be covered by the white baptismal robe – do not wear tights that cover the feet and/or socks.
WHAT TIME TO BE THERE
Plan on coming to Orthros on the day of your baptism (if you have small children and this is difficult, please plan on arriving at least 20 minutes prior to the start of the baptism)
GENERAL SEQUENCE OF EVENTS (abridged)
Meet in Narthex
Baptism starts, renunciation of Satan
Recitation of Creed
Anointing with oil
Baptisms
Presentation of baptismal robe
Exit nave to change into dry clothes and robe
Return to nave of the church
Presentation and putting on of baptismal crosses
Chrismation
Procession around baptismal font
Conclusion of baptismal service, followed by Liturgy
Removal of Chrism and Tonsure
NEWLY ILLUMINED WILL BE THE FIRST IN LINE FOR COMMUNION (WITH SPONSORS/GODPARENTS) FOR TWO MONTHS, FOLLOWING BAPTISM. For the first time, go to the pastor’s line to receive communion.
At conclusion of the service, the newly illumined, sponsors, and immediate family will form a reception line so that attendees and greet and congratulate following the veneration of the icons.