Catechism in the Orthodox Church

Before anyone becomes Orthodox, the Church receives them first as a catechumen. This is not a formality, it's a holy time of preparation. The catechism is the doorway and not an end.

"And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."
Acts 11:26 KJV

What is Catechism?

Catechism means "instruction".

In the Orthodox Church, it is the period when someone is prepared to enter the Church through baptism or chrismation.

A catechumen is not yet Orthodox, but is no longer simply an outsider neither. He or she is under the care of the Church, prayed for in the services, and being taught for entry into the life of Christ.

"Let your feet hasten to the catechism; receive the seal of the Holy Spirit, that you may be able to be called a full Christian."
St. Cyril of Jerusalem

What Do We Do in Catechism?

When someone is preparing to become Orthodox, it isn’t just about reading. It is to live as part of the Church.

A catechumen should:

Attend the services regularly, especially the Divine Liturgy.
Pray daily at home, learning the prayers of the Church.
Learn the basic teachings of the faith: the Creed, the sacraments, the commandments, the life of Christ.
Meet with the priest to ask questions and receive guidance.
Begin fasting with the Church, as much as possible, under the priest’s direction.
Live a Christian life: repentance, honesty, humility, and love for others.

It's not a classroom only, it's living Orthodoxy.

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only."
James 1:22 KJV

The Role of a Catechist

In many parishes, the priest himself is the catechist. In some places, a layperson or deacon may also teach, under the priest's blessing.

The role of a catechist is:

To explain the Orthodox faith faithfully.
To guide the catechumen in prayer, fasting, and worship.
To answer questions honestly, not with personal opinions but with the teaching of the Church.
To prepare the catechumen for confession and communion after baptism/chrismation.
He stands beside them, answering questions, correcting misunderstandings, and pointing them toward Christ and His Church.

For how Long Is Someone a Catechumen?

There is no fixed rule. In the early Church, it could take years. Today, it depends on the person and the priest.

Commonly it lasts from several months up to a year or more. Some are received sooner if they already know the faith and are living it; others may need longer to break old habits, heal wounds, or learn the basics.

The point is not speed, but readiness. A catechumen must be able to sincerely say the Creed, renounce old errors, and desire Christ above all.

Things One Should Know Before Converting

Many catechumens say afterwards that there were things they wish they had known at the start. Some of these include:

Orthodoxy is a way of life, not just Sunday worship. The fasts, feasts, prayers, and services shape daily life.
It is ascetic. Fasting is real, confession is regular, and the Church calls us to struggle against passions, not excuse them.
It is not individualistic. Orthodoxy is lived in the parish, in obedience to the priest, in unity with the bishop, in communion with the whole Church.
It takes humility. Much will feel strange at first (long services, holy traditions, the language of worship...). Humility is needed to enter into it.

It will change you. Conversion is not about "adding Orthodoxy" to your life, but letting Christ reshape your whole life.

"The catechumen learns not only by words, but by the life he sees lived."
St. John Chrysostom

Do We Need to Study?

Yes, but not in an academic way. You do not need a library of theology before becoming Orthodox. You need to know the basics:

The Creed.
The Ten Commandments.
The Lord’s Prayer.
The meaning of the sacraments.
The life of Christ and the history of the Church.

Reading helps, but the main study is done in the services. The Liturgy is the greatest teacher. By standing, praying, and hearing, you learn the faith in the heart, not only in the head.

Is There an Exam at the End?

No. The Church does not give written exams. The "exam" is your life. The priest will discern if you are ready, by speaking with you, guiding you, and seeing how you have entered into the life of the Church. Readiness is shown in faith, repentance, and desire for Christ. When the time is right, the priest and bishop will receive you.

Conclusion

Catechism is not a hurdle to cross, but a gift. It is the Church preparing you, like a mother prepares a child, to be born into Christ’s Body. It is the season to unlearn the world and to learn the Kingdom.

Do not rush it. Do not treat it as a box to tick. Walk it with prayer, with humility, and with obedience to the Church.

Then, when the time comes, you will stand not as a stranger, but as one who has found a home in Christ and His Holy Orthodox Church.