On Entering the Church

A Convert's Advice for a Fruitful Catechumenate

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The period from when you are made a catechumen of the Orthodox Church to when you are officially received (baptized and/or chrismated) is a wonderful time for spiritual growth and formation. When you reflect on what it is that you are doing- that is, preparing to enter the Church of Christ- it truly is one of the important stretches of time in your life. Yet because it is sometimes looked at as a sort of “transition” period until the moment of chrismation, it can be taken for granted and not held to the level of importance that it actually holds. I should know because I myself made this error.

Though I was only received this past November, I can confidently say that I wish I had taken greater advantage of my time as a catechumen. Though this was partly circumstantial due to my work situation and being in college with a limited Orthodox prescence, I also made some mistakes in how I spent this time, and so I hope these pieces of advice I offer will be of help for those who are getting ready to enter the Church. This list may also be helpful for those who are still inquiring or those who are preparing to be the godparents of a soon to-be convert.

This list is also my own opinion. Others will have different needs and have different circumstances surrounding their catechumenate. However, I think these can be applicable to just about everyone and as always, feel free to comment any additional pieces of advice you feel are important.

1. GET OFFLINE

If there is one item on this list that I would say that any catechumen should do right away, it’s to stay off of online Orthodox and social media content for the duration of their catechumenate. I made the mistake of continuing to view sites like Twitter and Instagram while I was a catechumen and this was probably my biggest mistake, as it caused needless confusion and anxiety that directed my attention away from more important matters like fostering consistent prayer. Not only do you encounter heterodox content aimed at swaying people from entering the Church, but you will also find fellow Orthodox who cause excessive controversy, holding views that they champion as “the Faith of the Fathers” that are merely their own opinions. This is further exacerbated by the fact that some of these debates surround questions of reception (baptism vs chrismation, etc). Staying offline before you are received will give you better piece of mind and stability as you begin your preparation to receive the Holy Mysteries. If you do have questions, check with your spiritual father. That is what they’re there for. They can often answer most questions you may have themselves or they can recommend safe resources to use.

2. Attend Your Catechism Classes

Chances are, you will be required to attend a minimum amount of catechism classes held by your priest before you can be received. In my experience, these were usually hour to an hour and fifteen minute lectures done by my priest that covered general topics such as the Sacraments, Church history, moral teachings, etc. These are great opportunities to meet fellow converts (more on this later) but also to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification about what Orthodox believe on different matters or spiritual struggles. I have often found that I question I had is one the priest has heard before or that other catechumens have struggled with. As the saying goes, “there are no stupid questions”. Furthermore, attending these classes a great way to develop the virtue of obedience, a key value in Orthodox spiritual life that will be needed later on as you undertake the struggle of Orthodoxy.

3. Read Scripture and Catechisms Daily

Many converts- myself included- often feel a great desire to begin learning everything they can about the Faith once they decide they want to become Orthodox. This is not a bad thing, but it is important to remember the basics. One thing I wish I did more of when I was a catechumen was read Scripture daily, and I think this should be a key priority while being a catechumen. The daily lectionary readings can be found on many Orthodox parish and jurisdiction websites so one can easily keep up with daily readings, and the Orthodox Study Bible (OSB) also has a lectionary in the back. If you would like to do more, I have found personally that one chapter of the Gospels and one of the broader New Testament is very helpful for further study (I recall that Fr. Seraphim Rose may have recommended this but I would have to double check). Reading through a few pslams during prayer can also be beneficial (it’s called the “Church’s prayerbook” for a reason"). While I prefer the Orthodox Study Bible, many translations work just fine, especially for New Testament and Psalm readings.

If you want to read more, I suggest sticking with official catechisms that are recognized by the Church. Popular works- especially modern ones- are often littered with personal opinions that can be confusing to new converts. Writing such as The Catechism of St. Peter Mogila, St. Philaret of Moscow’s Longer Catechism, and The Confession of Dositheus are good places to start.

4. Establish a Prayer Rule

In addition to frequent Scripture reading, habitual daily prayer is a must. Many Orthodox Christians have a set “rule” or routine of prayer that they do daily. Others may pray as much as they are able depending on their individual circumstances. Whatever your case may be, it’s important to consult with your spiritual father about finding a good routine of prayer. There are a plethora of Orthodox prayer books available that you can also consult for compline, akathists, individual prayers, etc. You can purchase these from parish stores or online, or you can borrow one from a priest or fellow parishioner. Some are also available online as pdfs. Its important though to remember: Only do as you are able. Do not try to set yourself up for failure by giving yourself more to do than you are capable of. Just as you don’t go for the heaviest weights the first week you are at the gym, don’t try an excessively long prayer rule made by Siberian monks. You’ll get discouraged and demotivated quickly. Pray as you can and the rest will follow.

5. Go to Liturgy as Much as Possible

It is has been said in many different ways and in many different places, but essentially, the Divine Liturgy (or Holy Mass for my Western Rite folks) is the quintessential expression of the Orthodox Faith. It can be said to be the Faith in a certain sense as well. As such, attending liturgy as much as possible has many benefits. You not only learn the rhythm of the liturgical cycle and the structure of Orthodox worship, but you also learn more about the faith itself through the chants, the Gospel readings, the homily, etc. It can be another source of catechism, and one you will be having over and over again for the rest of your life. Plus, once you are fully Orthodox, attending frequent liturgy attendance also means frequent reception of the Holy Mysteries, which comes with many of its own wonderful blessings for the Christian (more on this in a future article). While I recommend having a set parish to attend on Sundays, try to see if other Orthodox parishes in your area have liturgies during the week. This can be a great way to experience the liturgical customs of other jurisdictions as well as meet other Orthodox people.

6. Get Active with Your Parish

Community is everything in Orthodoxy, and having a strong network of fellow Orthodox Christians can be a major help as you walk the path of Christ. An easy way to start this is by staying after liturgy for what is called the agape meal. This event is the social life blood of the parish. There’s a meal and coffee where the parishioners and clergy have fellowship after the liturgy, and it is the best way to meet others in your church and to help new arrivals feel at home. It may seem daunting trying to meet new people, but speaking as the biggest introvert I know, I promise you that you will be fine. I have had almost zero issues meeting people and making friends at the different parishes I have attended. In fact, they often come to you! Nothing made me feel more at home than a clergyman or parishioner introducing themselves to me after the liturgy. It truly makes all the difference.

Not only this, but the parish will most likely have other social events for members during the week, such as service opportunities, game nights, reading groups, etc. If you can, get added to the parish email list and try to find a weekly bulletin. Younger converts may also have group chats or study groups. Once you are more established, also be on the lookout for newcomers and be sure to greet them and introduce them to the priest. This help make them feel at home and may encourage them to ask others to join them the next time they attend liturgy.

7. Develop Orthodox Habits

This goes along with getting into the rhythm of daily prayer, Bible reading, liturgy attendance, etc. Though you are a catechumen and not fully a member just yet, it is a good idea to start developing healthy habits early on that will aid you immensely once you enter the Church. For example, even though you are not receiving communion yet, it may be good to practice part of the eucharistic fast as if you were. I found this helped me adapt better to the Church’s fasting regulations once I was received. Additionally, attending Vespers on Saturday evenings as consistently as possible and reading the Preparation for Communion Prayers will also go a long way. Good habits can be hard to develop, and starting as much as you can earlier on may make it easier down the road.

8. Prepare For Your Life Confession

The term “life confession” can be very daunting, especially for converts who come from traditions where confession to a priest is not present. However, there is no need to be nervous. Your spiritual father will walk you through how it works and by the time the day arrives, your nerves will be more at ease. In the meantime though, it may be good to practice personal reflection on your spiritual struggles and what vices you may have the most difficult time dealing with. As my chrismation came closer, I used an “examination of conscience” exercise found in the Western Rite’s Saint Ambrose Prayer Book. It helped me collect my thoughts and helped me recognize the areas of my Christian life that needed the most improvement. Many prayerbooks also have daily confessions of sins and similar prayers to reflect on the day and what you can work on for the future. Its not so much making a list of all the bad things you have done to tell the priest so you can be punished; rather, its about recognizing where you fall short (as we all do) and learning how to improve so you can get back up and continue your walk with the Lord.

9. Appreciate Your Past

Chances are, you are entering the Orthodox Church after questioning your previous tradition and finding it to be lacking in some way. Many are coming from different Protestant confessions or the Roman communion, though others are coming from non-Christian groups or even no faith at all. No matter what, it’s important to not harbor unreasonable bitterness towards your former faith. I have seen too many cases of people who after leaving, for example, a Protestant group, would often talk condescendingly of all Protestants once they entered the Church, thinking they were stupid, uneducated, etc. I have myself have occasionally fallen into this trap when observing how some Roman Catholics misunderstood Orthodoxy online. There is nothing wrong with recognizing the flaws in your former confession and helping others arrive at Holy Orthodoxy. But this must be done with grace and compassion. Rather than looking at where you were previously as a pit mired in darkness and error, look at it as a stepping stone to where you are now, as a place that God used to prepare you to eventually accept the Orthodox Church once you discovered it. You will feel better about your choice and be in a better to place to help others understand your convictions.

10. Remember What You Are and Where You Are

As a catechumen, you are, in spiritual terms, a newborn, and you will be for some time even after you are in the Church. As such, it’s important to remember that your job at this point in time is allow yourself to be nurtured by the Faith. You are to take on the mind of a child and place yourself in the hands of God. It is not your responsibility to win converts or become the next St. Gregory Palamas. The Church has survived every storm imaginable, and She has plenty of defenders who will protect Her, most importantly her Groom, that is Christ. At this point, you must simply take your first steps on the path of the Cross with the saints who came before you, and begin to follow Christ.

Furthermore, you must remember that what you are doing is a wonderful thing. So wonderful in fact, that the Evil One absolutely hates it. He will do absolutely everything possible to deter you from entering the Church. He will make you feel as if you are not worthy. He will cause you to face new temptations and struggles, and experience doubts and anxieties, often when you least expect it. You must remain vigilant and be wary when these thoughts arrive. Keep your focus on the Lord, and everything else will fall into place.

Conclusion

Everyone’s experience as they prepare to enter the Church will be different, and so how one chooses to act during this time will depend on what they struggle with most, what their life circumstances are, etc. However, I hope these suggestions I have provided may give people some direction as they embark on the most important journey of their lives. The catechumenate is a wonderful period of your life as a Christian, and I encourage you to take advantage of every second of it.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner