Catechumans for Dummies

[michaeldimmickjr]

Hello! :wave:
I was wondering if you could explain in detail everything that is invold in the process of being a Catechuman. Like start to finish! Thanks!

In Him,

Michael

[Jeremiah31_3]

what's a catechuman?

[Marjorie]

what's a catechuman?

Someone preparing for baptism and/or chrismation into the Church. :)

It differs from parish to parish, really. For me it mostly involved going to services regularly, talking to my priest occasionally, praying and reading everything possible about Orthodoxy.

For some others it is more involved... regular catechumen classes, regular talks with the priest, etc.

So really this is something that you'd have to ask either your priest or someone in your parish about!

Being a catechumen is something I didn't appreciate until I became Orthodox. I was impatient just to be brought into the Church then, but I didn't realize it was my time at rest before I was sent to war. So for all the catechumens... appreciate it. :)

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[Dust and Ashes]

Being a catechumen is something I didn't appreciate until I became Orthodox. I was impatient just to be brought into the Church then, but I didn't realize it was my time at rest before I was sent to war. So for all the catechumens... appreciate it. :)

In IC XC,
Marjorie

So it's like sword polishing/armor oiling time or kick back/take it easy time? ;)

[OrthodoxyUSA]

Hello! :wave:
I was wondering if you could explain in detail everything that is invold in the process of being a Catechuman. Like start to finish! Thanks!

In Him,

Michael

Welcome michaeldimmickjr and Jeremiah31_3,

Being a Catechuman is a time for study, Q&A, learning the ropes, and being certain that this is the correct path for you.

It usually lasts for about a year... there is no rush, you fall into the prayers of the Church when you begin your Catechuman.

I was an "Inquirer" (before becoming a Catechuman) longer than my wife and son, but we started or Catechuman at the same time.

Most ppl attend formal classes with other Catechuman. For some reason our Priest chose to perform my families Catechuman in private.... and finished our Catechuman at our home which is 2 hours from the Church while he was there to bless our home.

This time period also give the Priest time to get to know you and a comfort level to be established. Remember that you will be confessing the sins of your entire life to this person. (Have no fear, they are gentle, and have heard it all before.)

Many questions will not come to your mind right away... some of them will center around what you have seen during the Liturgical year...

In the Orthodox Church the Liturgy cycles annually.... you should be allowed to see at least one full cycle before commiting.

Please ask specific questions of your Priest, get details...

We welcome your questions here, but we are not Priests.

Forgive me....:liturgy:

[gzt]

The priest says some prayers over you, asks you if you want to unite yourself to the Church, and then you're a catechumen. Then, if you die, you can be given an Orthodox burial and you'd be considered to have had a baptism of desire. You've also entered the Church's prayers because there's an entire litany in the Liturgy dedicated to catechumens. It's a period of preparation for baptism. You're expected to get taught about the faith, to attend as many of the services as possible, maybe have conversations with serious and dedicated Orthodox Christians, and to find a sponsor who will be your godfather/mother. But, you should also be doing those things before you become a catechumen. Frankly, some people are not actually made catechumens until the day they're baptized, which is unfortunate if they should ever die before their planned baptism. Also, don't get too excited about being made a catechumen, it's not baptism, it's only a transitional state. For a while, it'll seem like the majority of your experience as an Orthodox Christian, but it really is almost nothing.

[Mary of Bethany]

Most priests like for an Inquirer/Catechumen to experience a whole yearly cycle of the Church's feasts & fasts. There's nothing that can take the place of regular attendance at Liturgy and Vespers! So there usually isn't a rush to bring someone in to the Church. I was a serious Inquirer for quite a while, taking classes from our Priest off and on for almost 2 years, then made a Catechumen in February before being Chrismated in April on Holy Saturday of that year.


Mary

[StChristopherofPalestine]

I think the catechumen period is also to teach patience because I can attest that I really want to receive the Mysteries (even though I know I'm not ready yet), but I must wait because of being a catechumen.

It's also nice to have a few of the other parishoners go out of their way to help you. Helps build up love for others, if you're like me and weren't too loving before.