The Catechumenate: What It Is and What to Expect
After His Resurrection and before His Ascension, our Lord Jesus gave His disciples this command: “Go forth into all the world and make disciples of all the nations; baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, And, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:8). This is the glorious mission of the Church.
When a person responds to the will of God — who "desires that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:4) — a process begins of learning to walk the Orthodox way toward “the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). That “Orthodox way” is simply called The Church, which Holy Scripture calls “the pillar and ground of the truth” (I Timothy 3:15), and the process of joining the Church is called the catechumenate.
Three Stages
No one converts to the Orthodox Church; all conversion is to the radiant fullness of Christ alone. And the ancient Orthodox path that nurtures that conversion is analogous to the path toward marriage. Just as there are three stages toward marriage — courtship, engagement, marriage — so are there three stages toward becoming Orthodox Christian — inquirer, catechumen, member.
The catechumenate is a time of purification and focus. Joining the Church isn’t like joining a gym or club, and is certainly not a “denominational switch”, but is rather a real and life-long and binding commitment. A one-year catechumenate (1) presupposes that the catechumen will actively engage in the weekly spiritual and communal life of the parish, but also will make radical changes to any former behaviors or associations, or ways of managing time, that have been harmful to the goal of living a dedicated Christian lifestyle. And avoiding a critical or judgmental spirit toward any former confessions, and persons in them, will be important.
The catechumen demonstrates their readiness to join the Orthodox Church when:
They’ll need to attend catechetical events and will be encouraged to visit other local Orthodox parishes and monasteries, to get a larger sense of the Orthodox Tradition they’re joining. As the catechumen nears baptism — or chrismation only, if the diocesan bishop determines a previous baptism in another Christian tradition is valid — they’ll consult with the parish priest about acquiring a patron saint and taking on a sponsor in the Faith — sometimes called a godparent (who is of the same sex as the catechumen).
The Typical Flow of the Initiatory Process (4)
A Time of Inquiry for the Seeker (minimum of three months)
The Catechumenate — Part One (minimum of one year)
The Catechumenate — Part Two (second half of Great Lent)
Final Preparations in Holy Week (the week before Great and Holy PASCHA)
Great and Holy Saturday Baptismal Liturgy
PostBaptismal Rite (Bright Week)
Other Baptismal Feasts as Alternates
(1) One year is usual. But just as each person is unique, so is the length of each catechumenate unique. A longer catechumenate is not a sign of concern.
(2) The Twelve Great Feasts are: The Nativity of the Theotokos, September 8; The Exaltation of the Cross, September 14; The Presentation of the Theotokos, November 21; The Nativity of Christ (Christmas), December 25; The Baptism of Christ (Theophany), January 6; The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, February 2; The Annunciation, March 25; The Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), the Sunday before Pascha; The Ascension of Christ, forty Days after Pascha; Pentecost, fifty Days after Pascha; The Transfiguration of Jesus, August 6; The Dormition of the Theotokos, August 15.
(3) For a helpful overview of the lifestyle of an Orthodox Christian believer, consult How Shall We Live: the Rhythms of Christian Life, available at St Elizabeth’s
This is a general guide. Since each person is unique, the timing of the catechumenate process is also unique. It’s the spiritual journey that’s important, not a strict schedule. Some may choose, or (4) need, a longer preparation. Each person, with the help and discernment of the parish priest, will hear the voice and leading of the Holy Spirit in his or her own distinct timbre.
When a person responds to the will of God — who "desires that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:4) — a process begins of learning to walk the Orthodox way toward “the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). That “Orthodox way” is simply called The Church, which Holy Scripture calls “the pillar and ground of the truth” (I Timothy 3:15), and the process of joining the Church is called the catechumenate.
Three Stages
No one converts to the Orthodox Church; all conversion is to the radiant fullness of Christ alone. And the ancient Orthodox path that nurtures that conversion is analogous to the path toward marriage. Just as there are three stages toward marriage — courtship, engagement, marriage — so are there three stages toward becoming Orthodox Christian — inquirer, catechumen, member.
- a) The inquirer is exploring, gathering information, considering options, evaluating the theology and practice of Orthodox Christianity, and usually responding to some deep spiritual call within themselves to seek a greater fullness of Christian experience. They visit an Orthodox Church, attend divine services, do some reading, have some conversations, get to know Church members, just inquire. There is no particular time frame for this process.
- b) Over time, the inquirer may sense that God is calling them to “walk the narrow way” (Matthew 7:14) within the Orthodox Church — to, in a sense, get engaged. Here, they speak with the parish priest about becoming a catechumen. Just as getting engaged means that the single person respectfully forsakes all others and dedicates to one partner for a lifetime, so does becoming a catechumen mean that the inquirer respectfully forsakes all other Christian or religious traditions and dedicates to the Orthodox way for a lifetime. Obviously, it’s a serious decision.
The catechumenate is a time of purification and focus. Joining the Church isn’t like joining a gym or club, and is certainly not a “denominational switch”, but is rather a real and life-long and binding commitment. A one-year catechumenate (1) presupposes that the catechumen will actively engage in the weekly spiritual and communal life of the parish, but also will make radical changes to any former behaviors or associations, or ways of managing time, that have been harmful to the goal of living a dedicated Christian lifestyle. And avoiding a critical or judgmental spirit toward any former confessions, and persons in them, will be important.
The catechumen demonstrates their readiness to join the Orthodox Church when:
- they are a weekly participant in the divine services;
- they’re developing relationships within the parish;
- they’re participating fully in both the fasts and feasts of the church year; (2)
- they’re maintaining a daily prayer and Scripture practice.
They’ll need to attend catechetical events and will be encouraged to visit other local Orthodox parishes and monasteries, to get a larger sense of the Orthodox Tradition they’re joining. As the catechumen nears baptism — or chrismation only, if the diocesan bishop determines a previous baptism in another Christian tradition is valid — they’ll consult with the parish priest about acquiring a patron saint and taking on a sponsor in the Faith — sometimes called a godparent (who is of the same sex as the catechumen).
- c) Then, by the grace of God, and usually at the Divine Liturgy on the morning of Great and Holy Saturday, the catechumen becomes a member. And strengthened by the deifying sacramental grace of the Church, the journey of a lifetime — and beyond — begins!
The Typical Flow of the Initiatory Process (4)
A Time of Inquiry for the Seeker (minimum of three months)
- Attending services, reading, meeting with clergy and laity, research, counting the cost
The Catechumenate — Part One (minimum of one year)
- Prayer of Enrollment as a Catechumen, Renunciations, and Signing with the Cross
- Faithful attendance at Divine Services and the Great Feasts
- Required Reading or Podcasts
The Catechumenate — Part Two (second half of Great Lent)
- Selection of a Patron Saint and Parish Sponsor
- Sponsor attests that Catechumen knows The Creed and is ready for reception
- Life Confessions
Final Preparations in Holy Week (the week before Great and Holy PASCHA)
- Attendance at Holy Week Services
- Exorcisms, Renunciations, and Affirmations on Great and Holy Friday
Great and Holy Saturday Baptismal Liturgy
- Procession to Baptismal Font at Little Entrance of the Liturgy
- Prayers of Preparation and Blessing of Font
- Blessing of the Oil of Gladness and Anointing
- Baptism by Triune Immersion and Emersion
- Clothing in White Baptismal Garments
- Sealing with Holy Chrism
- Washing and Tonsure
- First Holy Communion
PostBaptismal Rite (Bright Week)
- Attendance at Agape Vespers and Bright Week services
Other Baptismal Feasts as Alternates
- Following Orthros of Pentecost, Theophany, or Lazarus Saturday, or at the Discretion of the Parish Priest and Diocesan Bishop
(1) One year is usual. But just as each person is unique, so is the length of each catechumenate unique. A longer catechumenate is not a sign of concern.
(2) The Twelve Great Feasts are: The Nativity of the Theotokos, September 8; The Exaltation of the Cross, September 14; The Presentation of the Theotokos, November 21; The Nativity of Christ (Christmas), December 25; The Baptism of Christ (Theophany), January 6; The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, February 2; The Annunciation, March 25; The Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), the Sunday before Pascha; The Ascension of Christ, forty Days after Pascha; Pentecost, fifty Days after Pascha; The Transfiguration of Jesus, August 6; The Dormition of the Theotokos, August 15.
(3) For a helpful overview of the lifestyle of an Orthodox Christian believer, consult How Shall We Live: the Rhythms of Christian Life, available at St Elizabeth’s
This is a general guide. Since each person is unique, the timing of the catechumenate process is also unique. It’s the spiritual journey that’s important, not a strict schedule. Some may choose, or (4) need, a longer preparation. Each person, with the help and discernment of the parish priest, will hear the voice and leading of the Holy Spirit in his or her own distinct timbre.