Becoming Orthodox

For Inquirers

Inquirers are people who are interested in Orthodoxy. They may be brand new to the Church, they may have been around for awhile but still have a lot of questions, or they may not be ready to take the next step for any number of personal reasons. An inquirer can be thought of as "dating" the Church – asking questions, attending services as able, and spending time around the Church.

Inquirers at any stage are warmly invited to attend the Orthodoxy 101 class, led by Fr. Paisios, on Sundays at 12:00 pm. If an inquirer would like additional time to speak with the priest, one-on-one appointments can be scheduled as well.

Becoming a Catechumen

For those who have have resolved their major objections and questions regarding the Faith and desire to become "engaged" to the Church, the next step is to become a catechumen. The path is as follows:

  1. Attend services, especially Saturday night Vespers and Sunday morning Divine Liturgy. Attend Orthodoxy 101.
  2. Read The Orthodox Faith, Worship, and Life by Hieromonk Gregorios OR listen to An Orthodox Christian Catechism by Fr. Paul Trubenbach on YouTube, found here. Write down any thoughts or questions that arise from these materials.
  3. Meet with Fr. Paisios to get to know one another and discuss the book/series, and let him know of your desire to become a catechumen.
  4. Cease attending services from your previous religious group. (If you're ready to be a catechumen, this should feel completely natural).

Generally, it is best to remain at the inquirer stage for at least a month or two.

Please note: Inquirers may attend the Metanoia class on Tuesday evenings but should bear in mind that this class is designed first and foremost for catechumens. Fundamentals of the Faith questions such as "Why do you kiss icons?" are better saved for the "Orthodoxy 101" class after Sunday Liturgy.

Inquirers are asked to refrain from attending the class "Acquiring the Mind of Christ" (during Liturgy), as this group is specifically designed for catechumens. Of course, always feel free to make an appointment with Fr. Paisios to discuss anything of concern to you!

For Catechumens

Once you have taken the necessary steps and been formally enrolled as a catechumen – congratulations! This is a huge step in a serious undertaking, and you are entering a unique and grace-filled period of your life. To enable this precious time to be used effectively, the following are the expectations of catechumens at St. Innocent:

  • That one continually pursue holiness of life - little by little looking to change one's everyday habits towards a God-pleasing manner of living. This includes beginning to keep a rule of prayer and fasting, as discussed in your meetings with Fr. Paisios.
  • Understand that the catechumenate at St. Innocent will typically last one full year.
  • Come to Saturday Vespers and Sunday Divine Liturgy, as well as services for feast days, as often as you can.
  • That one continually read the Holy Scriptures - even if just a little each day. You will be expected to read through the entire New Testament before you are received into the Church.
  • Attend all catechumen classes: Acquiring the Mind of Christ (on Sundays during the Divine Liturgy, after the dismissal of the catechumens) and Metanoia (Tuesdays at 7:00 pm). Ask questions and engage. (Note: These are in-person classes and a Zoom option will not generally be offered. Orthodoxy is an inherently incarnational faith: there's no real substitute for being physically present. If you feel you have truly exceptional circumstances, please do not hesitate to bring them up with Fr. Paisios).
  • Understand that one will not be received into the Church if he or she shows a lack of basic humility, repentance, or willingness to learn.
  • During your time as a catechumen, cease from teaching others or participating in online discussions, etc.
  • Meet with Fr. Paisios individually and get to know one another. Begin to form relationships with other members of the parish.
  • Begin to cultivate the eyes of a servant—we are here to be servants of Christ, we begin by serving one another. This can look like doing various tasks around the church, helping with coffee hour or clean up, etc. This should be self-motivated, so that after catechesis one has acquired some philotimo as a passive virtue. (Philotimo can be defined as diligence, reverent goodness; a humble internal drive to sacrifice one's own comforts for the good of others).

When you are ready, Fr. Paisios will approach you to begin making plans for reception into the Church. If you had anything resembling a baptism in your past, please find proof of this (i.e. a baptismal certificate).

Readings for Acquiring the Mind of Christ

After the dismissal of the catechumens during the Divine Liturgy, all those who have been formally enrolled as catechumens will gather in the parish hall and take turns reading aloud for the rest of the group. The texts scheduled for reading will follow the cycle indicated below. A notebook will be provided to each catechumen so that any questions or thoughts on the content of these readings may be discussed with Fr. Paisios at Metanoia class on Tuesday evenings.

The Orthodox Mind

Fr. John Whiteford

  1. pp. 1-13
  2. pp. 14-21
Indication of the Way

St. Innocent of Alaska

  1. pp. 1-8
  2. pp. 8-15
  3. pp. 15-23
Everyday Saints

Archimandrite Tikhon

  1. pp. 5-23
Acquiring the Mind of Christ

Abbot Sergius

  1. pp. xii-10
  2. pp. 11-20
  3. pp. 33-54
  4. pp. 109-128
  5. pp. 129-144
  6. pp. 145-155
On the State that Jesus Confers

Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra

  1. Complete text
The Way of a Pilgrim

Anonymous

  1. pp. 3-18
  2. pp. 18-35
  3. pp. 35-49
  4. pp. 49-64
  5. pp. 64-82
  6. pp. 82-96
  7. pp. 97-112
The Orthodox Worldview

Hieromonk Seraphim Rose

  1. Complete text
The Struggle for Virtue

Archbishop Averky

  1. pp. 6-12
  2. pp. 13-25
  3. pp. 26-36
  4. pp. 37-46
  5. pp. 47-56
  6. pp. 57-63
  7. pp. 64-70
Not of This World

Hieromonk Damascene

  1. Simplicity
That We Should Not Judge

Abba Dorotheos of Gaza

  1. Complete text
Passions and Virtues

St. Paisios of Mount Athos

  1. pp. 21-38
  2. pp. 39-60
  3. pp. 61-80
  4. pp. 81-100
  5. pp. 101-110
  6. pp. 111-122
  7. pp. 123-140
  8. pp. 141-154
  9. pp. 155-168
  10. pp. 169-189
  11. pp. 190-211
  12. pp. 212-233
  13. pp. 234-246
  14. pp. 247-268
  15. pp. 269-290
  16. pp. 291-308
  17. pp. 309-326
Homilies

St. Gregory Palamas

  1. Homilies 2 & 3
  2. Homilies 6 & 7
  3. Homilies 8 & 13
  4. Homily 48

Feeling Drawn to Orthodoxy?

Contact Fr. Paisios to learn more or schedule a meeting.

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