A Field Guide to the
Orthodox Churchorthodoxfieldguide.com part of Simply Orthodox
Menu
Banner lettered "Part Eight: Coming Home": a priest stands with open arms in the doorway of a small domed church as a child and a woman in a headscarf walk up.

PART EIGHT · 4 ENTRIES

Coming Home

  1. 1The Path In: Inquirer, Catechumen, ReceptionAdults become Orthodox after a time of instruction, as inquirers and then catechumens, with a godparent, a patron saint, the Creed and the Lord's Prayer by heart, and a first confession for those already baptized; about a year is common, but no rule sets the length.
  2. 2How Converts Are ReceivedEvery convert confesses the Orthodox faith; those never baptized in the Trinity's name are baptized and chrismated, while those already baptized are received by chrismation or by baptism according to their bishop's practice, which has differed across the centuries and still differs by jurisdiction.
  3. 3The First Year After ReceptionThe first year after baptism or chrismation often brings a crash after the high, a burst of convert zeal, or a slow drift, and the remedy for all three is the same ordinary rhythm of Sunday Liturgy, confession, the fasts and feasts, a small daily rule of prayer, and belonging to a parish.
  4. 4How to Find a Parish, and Next StepsIn the United States, start with the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops' parish directory, pick a parish you can get to every week, check its language and service times, go to Saturday evening Vespers or Vigil as well as Sunday Liturgy, and keep reading.