Becoming Orthodox.

There is no rush. The Church has walked seekers home for two thousand years; she will walk with you too.

Στῶμεν καλῶς

Becoming Orthodox

There is no hurry — there is only the way. If you are reading this, you have already taken the first step.

Talk to Fr. John Read the FAQ

Stand at the threshold and look in.

St Theophan the Recluse The Path to Salvation

The journey

How catechesis happens here

Five rough stages over twelve to twenty-four months. Nothing is rushed; nothing is optional.

Inquiry

You attend Sunday Vespers and Liturgy on your own rhythm. Read what you want; ask what you want. Some inquirers attend for years before they're ready to take the next step. That's fine.

Catechumen

When you're ready, you're enrolled as a catechumen at the beginning of a Sunday Liturgy. From here you commit to attending Sunday services regularly and to meeting weekly with the catechumen group on Wednesdays.

Reading & meeting

The catechumen meeting goes through Orthodox theology, history, liturgical life, and ascetic practice over twelve to eighteen months. You read alongside — we'll lend you the books.

Confession & preparation

In the months before reception, you make your first life-confession with Fr. John. He guides you in fasting, prayer, and the patterns of Orthodox spiritual life.

Reception

You are received into the Church through baptism (if not previously baptised in the name of the Trinity) and chrismation, normally on the Eve of Pascha. You take a saint's name. You are commemorated for life at every Liturgy.

Questions catechumens ask

Plain answers

How long does this take?

Usually twelve to twenty-four months from formal enrolment to reception. Some take longer; nobody rushes. The point is genuine conversion, not a checked-off process.

Do I have to rebaptise?

If you were baptised in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit with water (any quantity), the Orthodox Church normally receives you through chrismation alone — not rebaptism. The decision is the bishop's, in consultation with the rector.

Can I keep coming to my old church?

During the inquiry stage, you do what you need to do. Once you've enrolled as a catechumen, you commit fully to Orthodox services — that's part of the commitment. We understand family complications; we work through them.

Will I have to speak Greek?

No. Our services are in English with the traditional Greek for the Trisagion, the Cherubic Hymn, and the Anaphora. You'll pick those up by ear.

What about my spouse / parents?

Bring them to coffee hour; let them meet the priest. Many of our parishioners are converts whose Protestant or Catholic relatives now attend major feasts with them. We don't pressure anyone.

What do I read first?

For a first book: Frederica Mathewes-Green, At the Corner of East and Now. Then Kallistos Ware, The Orthodox Way. After that, the Philokalia — but go slowly with the Philokalia.

What name will I take?

You take an Orthodox saint's name at chrismation — usually a saint you've come to love through reading and prayer. Fr. John will help you discern.

What if I'm not sure yet?

Then you're not ready, and that's the right answer. Keep coming. The Church has time.

To the inquirer

Begin where you are. The Fathers say the chief work of Lent is not the food but the prayer. The fast is the discipline that frees the heart to pray.

Fr. John, in a pastoral letter Lent 2024

The first step

Start the conversation

Email Fr. John, drop by after Sunday Liturgy, or join us at coffee hour. The catechumenate is a journey best begun in person.

Get in touch

Begin the conversation

Say hello.

Fill this out and the priest will personally follow up. Nothing is binding; there is no expectation. The first step is just hello.