Catechism Roadmap
Walk a parish-centered path into Eastern Orthodox Christianity. These steps are a companion to your local catechism classes—always check each milestone with your parish priest and follow his guidance.
Stay anchored to your priest
Catechism is personal and pastoral. Use this roadmap to prepare thoughtful questions, but allow your priest to set the pace. Share how your prayer, study, and parish participation are going so he can adjust your path.
Parish-first guidance
- Your parish priest is your primary guide—share your story, ask questions, and follow the rhythm he blesses for you.
- Local customs vary; fasting, confession, and reception timelines are always tailored by your priest.
- Attend services consistently to let prayer, Scripture, and community shape your journey.
Six stages with your parish
Bring each stage to your priest. Ask how your local parish handles enrollment as a catechumen, meeting rhythms, and preparation for reception into the Church.
Inquiry
Pray for discernment, visit services, and listen carefully to the preaching, hymns, and prayers.
- Begin and end each day with simple prayers and the sign of the Cross.
- Introduce yourself to the priest after Liturgy and share that you are exploring Orthodoxy.
- Start a journal of questions and insights to bring to your priest or catechist.
Parish connection
Establish a steady presence at one parish; relationships with clergy and faithful will shape your formation.
- Attend coffee hour, parish classes, and feast days to learn the community rhythm.
- Ask how newcomers participate respectfully in services and parish life.
- Request recommended introductory readings or podcasts.
Enrollment as a catechumen
When ready, the priest may enroll you as a catechumen with prayers and a blessing to begin formal instruction.
- Confirm meeting cadence with your priest (class, one-on-one, or sponsor-guided).
- Receive a recommended prayer rule and beginner fasting guidelines.
- Learn the Nicene Creed and core Scriptural passages used in catechesis.
Catechetical formation
Study doctrine, worship, and Christian living while practicing repentance, confession, and charity.
- Attend all catechism sessions and take notes for reflection with your priest.
- Practice confession with your priest’s guidance and prepare for regular participation.
- Pair readings with the services you attend—notice how theology is prayed and sung.
Preparation for reception
With your priest’s blessing, complete final preparations for baptism or chrismation and the Eucharist.
- Select sponsors/godparents with your priest and meet to pray together.
- Review the renunciations, Creed, and anointing prayers used in the service.
- Plan to fast and confess as directed before receiving Holy Communion.
Life in the Church
Reception is a beginning—continue growing in the sacramental life, study, and acts of love in the parish.
- Keep a steady confession and communion rhythm set by your priest.
- Join ministry opportunities and support fellow catechumens or inquirers.
- Follow the liturgical calendar with feasts, fasts, and spiritual reading.
Suggested 12-week flow
This outline pairs teaching themes with Scripture and parish life. Adapt it with your priest—he may lengthen or shorten sections or change the order to meet your needs.
Read Mark 1–3; discuss why Christ’s call leads us to the Church.
Learn the Nicene Creed phrase by phrase and how it guards the faith.
See how the Church reads Scripture within the living Tradition.
Study the divinity and humanity of Christ with the writings of the Fathers.
Walk through the Liturgy texts; notice how the Gospel is proclaimed in worship.
Explore baptism, chrismation, Eucharist, confession, marriage, and anointing.
Craft a blessed rule; practice the Jesus Prayer and a beginner fast.
Learn why we venerate icons and ask the prayers of the saints.
Discuss repentance, confession, and resisting temptation with your priest.
Understand parish membership, stewardship, and serving with love.
Review renunciations, Creed, and prayers; schedule confession.
Set post-reception goals for communion, study, and parish service.
Priest-blessed rhythm
Bring this structure to your priest. Ask how to balance prayer, services, and study so your catechism flows from parish life.
- Prayer
Morning and evening prayers with the sign of the Cross, the Jesus Prayer, and Psalms recommended by your priest.
- Worship
Divine Liturgy every Sunday; add Vespers or a weekday service when possible.
- Study
Read Scripture passages assigned by your priest or catechist and pair them with a short Orthodox commentary.
- Conversation
Meet or correspond with your priest, sponsor, or catechist to process questions and next steps.
- Service
Offer acts of mercy in your parish or neighborhood—almsgiving, visiting, or volunteering.
He will adapt fasting, confession, and reception timelines to your spiritual needs and parish customs.
Pair with parish worship
Link each week’s theme to what you hear in Liturgy. Notice the prayers, readings, and hymns that proclaim the same truths you are learning.
Learn what to expect in servicesStudy companions
Use plain-language guides alongside Scripture to clarify vocabulary and concepts that appear in catechism classes.
Explore Orthodox ConceptsPrayer for every step
Ground your study in repentance and thanksgiving. Bring these prayers to confession and before reception into the Church.
Pray with the Church