Requirements

If the new catechumen was registered on the membership role of another religious body, the catechumen must upon being enrolled as a catechumen write to this body and ask to be removed from their previous membership roster. This is exceedingly important should the catechumen die during catechism so that the Orthodox burial may take place unhindered.

• Attend Sunday Liturgies and Feast Day Liturgies, and other weekly services as possible (Liturgies, Vespers, etc.) for at least a year before being received.
• Attend our Online Catechism Class without fail, and keep up with all reading assignments.
• Attend Lenten Services – these are your primary preparation.

Forms and Documentation

 

Prepare and make a Life confession – the sooner the better. Establish regular confession practice.

Visit at least two (2) other Orthodox Churches during catechumenate and provide this information to the Catechumen Coordinator.

Turn in pledge cards (Financial and Time and Talent) ideally upon becoming a catechumen. Once pledges are established, a new pledge card should be submitted every year during the pledge drive.

Read and follow the guidance in Starting Down the Royal Path: How to Become Orthodox – this should be done upon becoming a catechumen.

Read all of the assigned books and inform the Catechumen Coordinator upon their completion.

Fill out the baptism certificate information form and return to Coordinator with a $50 (each) check made to “Vicariate” for your baptism certificate.

You will need to find a Godparent/Sponsor. You must discuss your choice with the Priest prior to asking the potential sponsor. The sponsor will need to be approved to be your sponsor by the Priest.

Preparing to be Received at Holy Pascha

• You will need a baptism cross, baptism candle, a baptismal robe, and a towel
• Black clothing for baptism must be obtained. It should be loose and modest. Men can wear a large black T-shirt and long shorts. Women should wear a black one-piece bathing suit covered by a large black T-shirt or other loose garment that falls below the hips with long black shorts or leggings.
• Note: If you are only being Chrismated, you will not need a towel or black clothing.
• You need to make sure you have an icon of your Patron Saint. If it has not been blessed, you will want to bring it to the Baptism so it can be blessed.
• Obtain a baptismal robe. Everyone being received needs a robe. (Here is a good source) (Here is another)
• Review the Baptism/Chrismation Service once a week during Lent. (Available as handout during lecture series and in a link on the Saint Andrew website.) Baptism and Chrismation Service for Catechumens
• Will you or your Godparent/Sponsor purchase these things? You should discuss this with your sponsor.

People being received should spend time selecting a cross. If you want a costly cross, you may want to tell the Godparent/Sponsor that you are making this purchase. If your Sponsor is planning to purchase your cross, you need to discuss how it is to be selected, as some Sponsors feel that they will choose one and present it to you. It is good to work these things out in advance.

The candle should be 15-18” long and bees wax. They are decorated for the occasion. You want to plan for getting your candle early enough to find and purchase one. It can take time to find the candle of your choice. Candles must have a cup or cardboard disk on them to keep them from dripping wax on the floor.

Additional information and instructions for baptism and chrismation will be provided through the lecture series as Pascha draws near.