You are using an outdated browser. For a faster, safer browsing experience, upgrade for free today.

How to become an Orthodox Christian

Cathechumen Programm in Saint Nina Orthodox Church In Orlando

Month 1: Introduction to Orthodoxy
  • Week 1: Basics of Orthodox Faith and Life

  • Week 2: History and structure of the Orthodox Church

  • Week 3: Importance of Tradition and Scripture

  • Week 4: Lives of key saints and their significance

Month 2: Understanding the Holy Trinity
  • Week 1: God the Father

  • Week 2: Jesus Christ: Life, Death, Resurrection

  • Week 3: The Holy Spirit

  • Week 4: Understanding the Nicene Creed

Month 3: Orthodox Worship
  • Week 1: Liturgical worship and Divine Liturgy

  • Week 2: Understanding Icons and Iconography

  • Week 3: Orthodox prayer life (personal and communal)

  • Week 4: Liturgical calendar and feast days

Month 4: Sacraments (Holy Mysteries)
  • Week 1: Baptism and Chrismation

  • Week 2: Eucharist (Holy Communion)

  • Week 3: Confession and Repentance

  • Week 4: Marriage and Holy Orders

Month 5: Orthodox Spirituality
  • Week 1: Prayer and Fasting

  • Week 2: The Jesus Prayer and hesychasm

  • Week 3: Ascetic practices and spiritual discipline

  • Week 4: Reading spiritual texts and Scripture

Month 6: The Orthodox Christian Life
  • Week 1: Daily practices of an Orthodox Christian

  • Week 2: Orthodox ethics and morality

  • Week 3: Family life in Orthodox perspective

  • Week 4: Social responsibility and stewardship

Month 7: Scripture and Tradition
  • Week 1: Understanding the Bible in Orthodoxy

  • Week 2: Old Testament overview

  • Week 3: New Testament overview

  • Week 4: Patristic writings and their importance

Month 8: Church History and Ecumenical Councils
  • Week 1: Early Church and apostolic age

  • Week 2: The Seven Ecumenical Councils

  • Week 3: Great Schism and Orthodox Christianity today

  • Week 4: Modern challenges and dialogues

Month 9: Understanding Icons and Saints
  • Week 1: Theology of icons

  • Week 2: Lives of major Orthodox saints

  • Week 3: Veneration of saints and relics

  • Week 4: Understanding intercession and prayers to saints

Month 10: Orthodox Eschatology
  • Week 1: Death, judgment, heaven, and hell

  • Week 2: Second Coming and the Kingdom of God

  • Week 3: Resurrection of the dead and eternal life

  • Week 4: Orthodox view of afterlife

Month 11: Orthodox Ethics and Contemporary Issues
  • Week 1: Bioethics, life issues, and Orthodoxy

  • Week 2: Orthodoxy and contemporary social issues

  • Week 3: Environmental stewardship and creation care

  • Week 4: Living Orthodoxy in the modern world

Month 12: Preparation for Baptism/Chrismation
  • Week 1: Review key teachings and practices

  • Week 2: Examination of faith and personal preparation

  • Week 3: Practical preparations for reception into the Church

  • Week 4: Reflection, prayer, and formal reception