Visit and Experience
Attend the Divine Liturgy and other services, observe, pray, and become familiar with parish life.
Interested in Orthodoxy
Becoming a Catechumen
Exploring the Orthodox Christian faith is a journey of prayer, learning, worship, and life within the Church. You are welcome to attend our services, ask questions, and speak with our priest without any obligation.
A time of preparation
What is a catechumen?
The word catechumen describes a person who is formally preparing to enter the Orthodox Church. It is a season of growing in faith—not simply completing a course or collecting information.
After meeting with the priest and spending time learning about the faith, a person may be received as a catechumen through prayers offered by the Church.
Becoming a catechumen is not yet the same as becoming an Orthodox Christian. It begins a period of preparation that may lead to reception into the Church through Holy Baptism and Chrismation, or in the manner determined by the priest and bishop when someone has already received Christian baptism.
Taking the first steps
The journey into the Orthodox Church
Each person’s journey is unique, but it normally includes these four steps.
Meet the Priest
Share your background, reasons for exploring Orthodoxy, and any questions you may have.
Become a Catechumen
Begin formal preparation through instruction, prayer, worship, and participation in the community.
Reception into the Church
When the time is right, the priest will help arrange your reception into the Orthodox Church.
There is no identical schedule for everyone.
The length of preparation depends on each person’s background, circumstances,
participation, and spiritual growth.
Learning and living the faith
What preparation may include
Catechumen preparation is more than classroom study. It helps a person begin living the Orthodox Christian faith within the worshipping community.
- Foundations of Orthodox Christian belief
- Holy Scripture and the life of the Church
- The Divine Liturgy and Holy Mysteries
- A regular and practical life of prayer
- Attending worship services faithfully
- Fasting and the Orthodox spiritual life
- Becoming part of the parish community
- Regular conversation with the priest
Come and see
You are welcome at our services
You do not need to be Orthodox—or already committed to becoming Orthodox—to attend our services. Visitors are welcome to stand or sit, observe, pray, and participate to the extent they feel comfortable.
You also do not need to be Greek or have any particular cultural background. The Orthodox Church is for everyone who sincerely desires to seek Christ.
A helpful note for visitors
Receiving Holy Communion
Holy Communion is received by Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves according to the guidance of the Church. Visitors and catechumens are warmly invited to attend the entire service, but do not yet receive Holy Communion.
If you are uncertain about any part of the service, please speak with our priest. He will be glad to answer your questions and help you feel at home.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
It is normal to have questions. These answers provide a starting point, and the priest can offer guidance for your particular circumstances.
No. The Orthodox Church welcomes people of every ethnic and cultural background.
Our shared identity is found in Jesus Christ and the life of His Church.
Absolutely. Attending services and experiencing the worship of the Church is one
of the best ways to begin exploring Orthodox Christianity.
There is no single timetable for everyone. The priest considers each person’s
background, participation, understanding, and readiness before arranging reception
into the Church.
Tell the priest where and how you were baptized. The manner in which someone is
received into the Orthodox Church is determined through the guidance of the priest
and bishop.
A sponsor is normally part of reception into the Church. The priest will explain
the sponsor’s role and help ensure that the person chosen is able to fulfill it.
There is no fee for becoming an Orthodox Christian. Any practical arrangements
connected with Baptism or reception can be discussed directly with the priest.
Your next step
You do not need to have everything figured out.
If you are interested in Orthodox Christianity, we invite you to attend a service and introduce yourself to our priest. Questions are welcome, and there is no pressure or obligation.