This Basics of Orthodox Christianity Class is open to all who are interested in learning more about the Christian Faith. Below you will find the schedule of classes for the current year. Our intention is to offer this year by year on an ongoing basis.

The St. Maximus Catechesis 2007-2008 Class Outline

Meeting Fridays, 8:00 p.m. following Vespers at 7:00 p.m.

Introductory Sessions: 8 Weeks
Intro Session 1, August 3: The Church and Church History
Intro Session 2, August 10: The Church and Jesus Christ
Intro Session 3, August 17: The Church and Holy Scripture
Intro Session 4, August 24 : The Church and Holy Tradition
Intro Session 5, August 31: The Church and the Ecumenical Councils
Intro Session 6, September 7: The Church and Salvation
Intro Session 7, September 14: The Church and Her (Rational) Worship
Intro Session 8, September 21: The Church and Christian Life

Catechesis Proper (under revision from last year; to be completed soon)
Session 1, September 28: Faith & Life: The Connection between What We Believe and How We Live (Christianity as both a way of life and system of belief)
Session 2, October 5: The Creed Article One: God the Father
Session 3, October 12: The Creed Article One: Faith
Session 4, October 19: The Creed Article One: Creator & Creation
Session 5, October 26: The Creed Article Two: The Divinity of the Son
Session 6, November 2: The Creed Article Three: The Humanity of the Son
Session 7, November 9: Christ’s First Commandment: Repent! (Living a life of Repentance)
Session 8, November 16: The Commandments of Christ as the Path to Love

To be completed soon...


For Those Preparing for Holy Illumination (Scheduled separately during Great Lent for those to be received at Pascha, and at other times as Needed)
Session 1: The Renunciations (for converts) and Confession of Faith
Session 2: Confession and How to Prepare for It
Session 3: The Baptismal Service
Session 4: Holy Communion and How to Prepare for It

1. Class will begin promptly at 7:30 Friday Night and will end promptly at 8:40. Please bring a Bible, note paper, and a three-ring binder to hold your syllabus and handouts.

2. The class is open to all wanting to know about the Orthodox Church, Her Faith, and Her practices. Orthodox and non-Orthodox, the serious seeker and casual inquirer are equally welcome. The class is directed, however, towards those who are wanting to know more about the Orthodox Church with a view to possibly being joined to Her (Inquirers) and those who have formally declared their intent to be united to the Church and are preparing themselves for Holy Baptism and/or Chrismation (Catechumens). Anyone who disrupts this process through disrespect, lack of seriousness, or persistent argumentativeness may be asked to leave the class. Inquirers and Catechumens are expected to have and ask questions. Don’t be bashful!

3. The first eight weeks of the class, the Introductory Sessions, are designed to give everyone an overall view of the Church, Her Faith, Her Life, and Her Worship. The Sessions of the Catechesis Proper go deeper to enable an inquirer either to embrace or reject the Church with adequate knowledge and experience to make that decision. The four sessions "For Those Preparing for Holy Illumination" are for Catechumens who are making their final preparations to be received into the Church. Only those being received at that time may attend.

4. Reading or practical assignments may be given from week to week. They will not be heavy or excessive. Handouts to read will be available, as will a list of recommended (but not required) books. As each person is different, it is not possible to require the same books for all. If you have questions about what you could or should be reading outside of class, please consult the priest. Not every book available is useful or appropriate.

5. Those who are serious about possible becoming Orthodox are expected to attend all the classes. If you simply cannot, please contact the priest beforehand. Inconsistent attendance will slow your progress. You need this material, and it is difficult for the priest to help you ‘make up’ missed material. Please make every effort to attend.

6. Catechumens are expected to attend the divine services regularly. Your faithful attendance at class and services are one indication to the priest of your overall seriousness.

7. Inquirers and Catechumens may attend the full Divine Liturgy on Sundays. If they desire to follow the early practice of leaving the Liturgy at the dismissal of the catechumens, they are asked to remain at church and use the time to advance their catechesis through reading, prayer, or quiet conversation with another person about the Faith. Under no circumstances should catechumens and inquirers by talking casually, loudly, or getting an early start of coffee hour. If it is too distracting to go out of the service, better to stay in it.

8. A person is an inquirer until he indicates to the priest that he desires to become an Orthodox Christian and the priest determines that he is ready to take that step: if it be determined that he is ready, he will be made a catechumen. A good rule of thumb for this is six months of significant exposure.

9. An inquirer is officially made a catechumen by public prayer in the church. To be made a catechumen indicates a commitment to the Orthodox Church and implies a break with any previous associations, especially in regard to Sunday worship, Communion, and other Sacraments.

10. A person’s catechumenate may be brief, or long, depending on how long it takes for one to become ready to embrace the Church and Her way of life with faith and without hesitation. You may consult with your priest about the timing of your Baptism/ Chrismation, but please do not pressure him. God will make it clear when the time is right. The basic rule of thumb is one year of consistent study, prayer, and attendance from the time you first began to investigate the Church seriously. This can vary considerably depending upon circumstances.

11. Catechumens are expected to lead orderly lives according to Christian norms and the Ten Commandments and to be in regular attendance at services. It is always appropriate for them to let the priest know ahead of time if they must miss a service or class. If they have particular problems, struggles, or besetting sins, they should set up meetings with the priest to discuss them so that they may obtain help specific to their needs.