How to Become Orthodox | St. Nectarios Orthodox Church

What is a Catechumen?

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.

Saint Nectarios Catechumen Requirements

Catechumen Duties and Responsibilities

Catechumens are to participate in all the services, classes and Saturday evening Vespers. If you cannot come to a class, please get the recording for that class. It is our policy to receive into the Church only those who have completed the course in its entirety.
During Great Lent, catechumens are expected to attend the Wednesday Liturgy of the Presanctified.
Catechumens tend the candle sand and candle stubs; at the beginning and end of each service, they should be sure that the candles areas are neat and tidy, and that candles are available. Catechumens manage the oil lamps in the Nave and Narthex.
Catechumens, if they have not already, meet with the priest to establish a rule of prayer, fasting, and the doing of acts of mercy.
Catechumens are to be listeners and not talkers. They should listen to instruction; they should ask their teachers (priest, deacon, lay catechists, sponsor) questions, but not opine with others or get into theological dialogues or disputes with others.
Catechumens may invite others to church with “Come and see,” but should not instruct heterodox or non-Christians in dogmatic or spiritual matters.
Catechumens may not post theological opinions or enter into theological discussions or debates on social media, discussion groups, chat-sites, etc.
Catechumens may and ought to bear witness to “all the good that God is doing” in their lives, and when asked “tell me about the differences...” they should say: “others are more qualified for that. Come and see!” Or “Come and ask the priest.”
Catechumens should develop a ministry of love with the older members of the congregation. They should make a regular point of greeting the elders/elderly, and conversing with them.
When a person is serious and wishes finally to be received into the Church, he or she commits to tithing, if he or she has not already: offering whatever you can to God, for “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Catechumen Guide

Visit www.stnectarios.com
Click on the Our Faith tab and read all the topics, especially the section on the Sacraments of the Church.
Attend Catechumen lectures and watch all previously recorded Catechumen lectures linked below. (Also available on our YouTube channel)
Attend all services (Liturgy, Vespers, Paraklesis, Akathist, Pre- Sanctified) and be seated in the back of the Nave.
Follow the required and suggested reading list for Catechumens (list included below).
Prepare and make Life confession prior to Baptism. Establish regular confession practice (at least monthly).
Find a suitable Godparent/Sponsor. You must discuss with Priest prior to asking potential sponsor(s).
Give Glory to God for all things!

Required Lectures for Catechumens:

Sacrament of Marriage Part 1 and 2

Terminology of Services

Required Reading for Catechumens:

Starting Down the Royal Path by Fr. Josiah Trenham
The Orthodox Way (1998) by Bishop Kallistos Ware
The Way of a Pilgrim (many editions)
The Way of the Ascetics(1985) by Tito Colliander

Suggested Readings:

The Faith: An Orthodox Catechism(1997) by Clark Carlton
Entering the Orthodox Church or The Mind of the Church by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos
For the Life of the World (1998) by Fr. Alexander Schmemann
Great Lent(2001) by Fr. Alexander Schmemann
The Beginnings of a Life of Prayer (1985) by Archimandrite Irenei (Steenberg)
The Way or The Truth (1997, 1999) by Clark Carlton