New to Orthodoxy

Most importantly, bring an open heart, an open mind, and a willingness to learn.

• A notebook or tablet for notes
• A pen
• Your questions!

You don't need to prepare anything beforehand. Just come ready to listen, learn, and explore.

Everyone is welcome.

The class is designed for anyone interested in learning more about Orthodox Christianity, including:

• Those exploring Christianity for the first time
• Christians from other traditions who are curious about Orthodoxy
• Those considering becoming Orthodox
• Newly baptized or received Orthodox Christians
• Lifelong Orthodox Christians who want to understand their faith more deeply

You do not have to be Orthodox or committed to becoming Orthodox to attend. You are welcome to simply come, listen, learn, and ask questions.

No. There is no registration required. Just walk in and join us!

You are welcome to begin attending even if the course has already started.

Absolutely! We encourage you to invite friends, family members, coworkers, or anyone interested in learning about the Ancient Christian Faith.

They do not need to be Orthodox or have any previous knowledge of Orthodoxy.

The Catechism Class meets every Saturday from 4:30–5:30 PM in the Main Chapel.

Simply walk in and join us. No registration is necessary.

The class is primarily in person because learning the Orthodox faith is more than simply receiving information.

Orthodoxy calls us to both right belief (orthodoxia) and right living (orthopraxia). This happens most fully through participation in the life of the Church, personal interaction, worship, questions, and discipleship.

Recordings and additional resources may be made available to class participants when available, but they are not intended to replace regular in-person participation.

No.

Our purpose is to explain Orthodox Christianity clearly, faithfully, and respectfully. You are welcome to explore at your own pace.

Attending catechism does not automatically mean that you are committing to baptism, chrismation, or becoming a member of the Orthodox Church.

If, as you learn, you become interested in taking further steps toward becoming Orthodox, we will be happy to guide you personally through that journey.

Absolutely. Questions are welcome.

You are not expected to understand or agree with everything immediately. Some Orthodox teachings may be unfamiliar, especially if you come from another Christian background.

Catechism is a place to learn, ask sincere questions, examine Scripture and Church history, and understand why the Orthodox Church believes and practices what it does.

Yes! We want the class to be a place where sincere questions are welcomed.

Because we have a limited amount of time each week, we generally ask participants to hold questions until the end of the lesson. Often, the lesson itself may address your question.

A few minutes will normally be provided for questions at the end. Because Vespers follows the class at a scheduled time, we may not always be able to answer every question that day.

A Google Form will also be available for submitting questions during or after class. Questions that require more time can be addressed in future classes or during a dedicated Q&A session.

The complete catechism consists of approximately 26 classes covering the major foundations of Orthodox Christianity, including:

• Holy Scripture and its reliability
• Scripture and Holy Tradition
• Church history and the Early Church
• The Ecumenical Councils
• The Holy Trinity
• The person and work of Jesus Christ
• Salvation
• The Church
• The Sacraments
• Baptism and Chrismation
• The Eucharist
• Confession and repentance
• The Divine Liturgy
• Prayer and fasting
• Icons and the saints
• The Virgin Mary
• Orthodox worship and spirituality
• Christian morality and daily life
• Differences between Orthodox Christianity and other Christian traditions

Our goal is not simply to learn what Orthodox Christians believe, but also why we believe it and how these beliefs shape our relationship with God.

No previous theological education is necessary.

This is not a seminary-level course. We aim to explain theological ideas in a way that is clear, accessible, biblical, and practical.

If you have never studied theology before, you should be able to follow along. If you have studied Christianity extensively, we believe you will still find opportunities to go deeper.

We are all here to learn and grow together.

Don't worry—you can simply come back the following Saturday.

The Catechism Class is taught as a continuous cycle, and each class is designed to stand on its own. This means you do not have to wait for a new course to begin, and missing one lesson should not prevent you from continuing.

If you miss a particular topic, that class will be offered again when the cycle repeats, giving you another opportunity to attend it.

Regular attendance is encouraged, especially for those preparing for baptism, but you are always welcome to join or return at any point in the cycle.

Yes.

Class outlines, materials, announcements, and helpful resources will be shared with participants through WhatsApp.

Information on how to join the WhatsApp group will be available when you attend the class.

No. The Catechism Class is free.

There is no fee to attend, and you do not need to purchase anything in order to participate.

No. There is an important difference between learning about Orthodoxy and formally preparing to enter the Orthodox Church.

Anyone may attend the class simply to learn. Attending catechism does not commit you to becoming Orthodox.

For those who desire to become Orthodox, however, catechism is an important part of the preparation for Baptism or reception into the Church. Those preparing for Baptism will need to fulfill the Baptism requirements outlined on this page, in addition to participating in the life of the Church and receiving personal pastoral guidance.

The journey toward Baptism is more than completing classes. It includes learning the faith, attending the Divine Liturgy, developing a life of prayer, becoming familiar with Orthodox worship, and beginning to live the Christian faith within the community of the Church.

If you are interested in Baptism, please speak with the priest so we can help guide you through the process.

There is no one-size-fits-all timeline.

Becoming Orthodox is not simply about completing a certain number of classes. It is a spiritual journey of learning the faith, experiencing the worship of the Church, developing a life of prayer, and becoming part of the Church community.

If you are interested in becoming Orthodox, please speak with the priest so that we can guide you personally through the process and explain the Baptism requirements.

Absolutely—and we encourage you to!

Catechism helps explain Orthodox Christianity, but one of the best ways to understand Orthodoxy is to experience the prayer and worship of the Church.

Visitors are warmly welcome to attend the Divine Liturgy, Vespers, and other services.

You are not expected to understand everything or know what to do when you first visit. Feel free to observe, pray, and experience the worship of the Church at your own pace.

In the Orthodox Church, Holy Communion is reserved for baptized or received Orthodox Christians who are properly prepared to receive the Eucharist.

If you are visiting, exploring Orthodoxy, or preparing for Baptism, please do not feel uncomfortable or excluded. You are warmly welcome to attend the entire Divine Liturgy, pray with us, and experience the worship of the Church.

To make your first visits easier, brochures are available at the church to help you navigate the Divine Liturgy. They explain the different parts of the service as well as some of the prayers, movements, symbols, and practices you may see.

Don't worry if you don't know when to stand, make the sign of the Cross, or participate in a particular practice. You are welcome to simply observe and learn.

Catechism will also help explain the meaning of the Eucharist and why the Orthodox Church practices Holy Communion in this way.

If this will be your first time attending an Orthodox Divine Liturgy, we recommend beginning with our Visitors Guide.

The Visitors Guide provides practical starting points for your first Sunday visit and can help you feel more comfortable before you arrive. It includes:

• A short guide video introducing what to expect
• A printable newcomers pamphlet
• Helpful explanations of Orthodox worship and common practices
• Practical guidance for navigating your first visit

You do not need to understand everything before coming. The guide is simply there to make your first experience a little easier.

And when you arrive, come as you are, observe, pray, and don't worry about getting everything “right.” We are glad you are here.

That's completely normal!

Orthodox worship involves many things that may be new to you—icons, incense, chanting, standing for prayer, making the sign of the Cross, and ancient liturgical prayers.

You are not expected to know what to do on your first visit.

Feel free to observe and participate at your own comfort level. The brochures available at church and our Visitors Guide can also help explain what you are seeing and experiencing.

As you continue attending and learning, the meaning behind these practices will become much clearer.

There is no exam.

Our goal is not for you to memorize information simply to pass a test. We want you to genuinely understand the Orthodox Christian faith and grow in your relationship with God.

For those who are interested in Baptism or formally entering the Orthodox Church, there will be an open-book questionnaire as part of the preparation process.

The questionnaire is not intended to be intimidating or to “pass or fail” anyone. Rather, it provides an opportunity to review what you have learned, identify any areas that may need further explanation, and make sure you have a good foundational understanding of the Orthodox faith before Baptism.

Older teenagers who are genuinely interested in learning about Orthodox Christianity may benefit from the class. Because the material is primarily designed for adults, parents of younger children should speak with us about age-appropriate options available through the church.

Please don't let that prevent you from attending. We want newcomers from every background to feel welcome.

If you have difficulty understanding something during the class, please let us know and we will do our best to help clarify the material or direct you to additional resources.

Please ask!

There are no “bad questions” when someone is sincerely seeking to understand the faith.

You can speak with us before or after class, submit a question through the class Q&A form, or ask for an opportunity to speak privately with the priest.

Whether you are simply curious about Orthodoxy or seriously considering making the Orthodox Church your spiritual home, you are welcome to begin by simply walking through the door.