It is wonderful that you have expressed interest in Christ and His Church; the Orthodox Church. We sincerely hope that the following instructions and resources will be useful to you.
What's the difference between an Inquirer and a Catechumen?
Inquirers
An inquirer is a non-Orthodox person visiting an Orthodox congregation regularly. Such inquirers are usually seeking to learn more about Orthodox Christianity, and are open to the possibly of becoming Orthodox Christians themselves. A person may remain an inquirer forever, but most will commonly move from this informal stage of inquiry to the more formal stage of becoming a Catechumen after, on average, a few months of regular attendance.
Catechumens
A catechumen is one who is preparing for baptism in the Church. The service of catechumen enrollment is a brief liturgical rite that marks your formal commitment to prepare for baptism or chrismation. It’s the moment you stop being an inquirer and become a catechumen, someone officially under the Church’s care and instruction.
Expectations for Catechumens
Becoming a catechumen can be compared to getting engaged to someone. You no longer “court” others. You spend time with your “betrothed.” You buy them gifts. You get to know them because you intend to spend the rest of your life with them. Now you’re making a public promise that you intend to marry them.
So what are the expectations?
The Creed
Prior to becoming a catechumen, which simply means someone being instructed in the faith, we require you to memorize The Nicene Creed. You have to know what the Church believes before you can agree to it. The following is the text used at Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only‐Begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages: Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, through whom all things were made;
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man.
And he was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried.
And on the third day, he rose again, according to the Scriptures; and he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
And he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
In one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the remission of sins.
I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.
Living a Christian Witness
Becoming a catechumen means one has resolved to live in a way that glorifies Christ. This means a life focused on prayer and brotherly kindness. Immorality in any shape or form has no place in the Christian walk. In areas where we struggle, we repent. We strive to honor Christ with our actions as well as our beliefs.
Financial Support
Ok, let’s get the tricky stuff out of the way. We expect you to begin supporting the Church financially, because this is what God expects of us. We honor His provision in our lives by being generous and “givers” rather than takers. The Church requires money to operate. It doesn’t fall out of heaven. It comes from our pockets and banking accounts. “How much do I have to give?” The simple answer is “You don’t have to give anything.” The Scriptures tell us God loves a cheerful giver and it is more blessed to give than it is to receive. If you give begrudgingly that is an expression of your inner life. If we give cheerfully and freely we experience the joy in seeing others blessed and ministries flourish. We give because we have been given so much from God. The Old Testament teaches “tithing” or 10% as a way to honor God. The New Testament teaches that we are “stewards” of God’s resources. So, what is the correct amount to give? That is a discussion best left to you and your priest.
Participation
We expect you to attend services whenever you are able. You wouldn’t get engaged and then never get together with your fiancé. Services are where we experience what the Church believes. Services are where we pray corporately. Services are where we celebrate, and sometimes mourn, the key events in our life and the life of the Church.
Aside from attending services, you will expected to attend the weekly catechism class on Wednesday nights. You can find a full list of services and events on the Calendar.
Physical Support
We all pitch in to help. Bringing food for Coffee Hour, setting up and tearing down tables, keeping the temple in good order, etc. are the responsibilities of everyone in the Church. The Church is the Body of Christ; we all play a part in its physical as well as spiritual needs.
Study to Show Oneself Approved
As catechumens, one is expected to engage in a learning process. One doesn’t learn for learning sake. One studies and acquires knowledge in order to better know God and the teachings of the Church. To that end, there are several resources, both written and electronic, that can be quite helpful. Check out the Books and Media page for where to start.
Prior to Illumination (Baptism and Chrismation)
Prior to being baptized and chrismated, it is expected that you will have developed a solid practice of fulfilling the above expectations. Also, you will be required to memorize a couple of common prayers used often. Below are the text used at Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
Trisagion Prayers
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to you, O God, glory to you!
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, who are present everywhere and fulfilling all things; Treasury of blessings and Source of life, come abide in us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3 times)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, forgive our transgressions. Holy One, look down on us and heal our infirmities to the glory of your name.
Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father who are in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Come…
Come, let us worship God our King.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ our King.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ himself, our God and King.
Pre-Communion Prayer
I believe, O Lord, and I confess that you are truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God who came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am first. I also believe that this is your own Pure Body and this is your own Precious Blood. Therefore I pray you; have mercy on me and forgive my voluntary and involuntary trespasses, in word and in deed, in knowledge and in ignorance. Make me worthy, without condemnation, to partake of your Most Pure Mysteries for forgiveness of sins and for everlasting life. Amen.
O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant of your mystic supper, for I will not speak to your enemies of your mystery, nor will I give you a kiss as Judas did. But I will confess you as did the thief: Remember me, O Lord, in your kingdom.
May my partaking of your Holy Mysteries be not for judgment nor condemnation, O Lord, but for healing of soul and body.