You start by showing up. That’s the first step, and it’s simpler than most people think.
The journey into Orthodoxy isn’t a single decision or altar call. It’s more like learning to dance. You watch for a while. Then you step onto the floor. Eventually, you’re moving with everyone else, and one day you realize you belong to something you couldn’t have imagined when you first walked through the door.
From Visitor to Inquirer
When you first visit St. Michael or any Orthodox parish, you’re just a visitor. Come to a Sunday Divine Liturgy. Stand in the back if you want. Watch. Nobody’s going to put you on the spot or ask you to fill out a visitor card. After the service, introduce yourself to Father. Tell him you’re curious about Orthodoxy. That’s it.
This inquiry phase can last a few weeks or several months. You’re figuring out if this is real, if it’s for you, if you can see yourself here. The Church is patient. We’ve been doing this for two thousand years. There’s no rush.
During this time, you’ll attend services when you can. You’ll probably have questions. Lots of them. Father will meet with you, recommend books, answer what he can. You’re not committing to anything yet. You’re just looking.
Becoming a Catechumen
When you’re ready to commit to learning seriously, you become a catechumen. This is a formal step. Father will read prayers over you, usually before a Divine Liturgy. You’re enrolled officially. From that point on, the deacon will pray for you by name during the services: “Let us pray for the catechumens.” That’s you now.
But you still can’t receive communion. You’re not Orthodox yet. You’re learning to be.
The catechumenate typically lasts about a year, sometimes longer. This isn’t arbitrary. You need time to unlearn some things and learn others. If you’re coming from a Baptist background (and many of you are), you’ve got to rewire how you think about sacraments, about the Church, about what salvation even means. That takes time.
What happens during this year? You’ll attend services regularly. Sunday Liturgy, yes, but also feast days when you can. If you work a rotating schedule at the plant, talk to Father about it. He understands. You’ll have regular meetings with him, maybe monthly. He’ll give you a prayer rule to follow at home. Start small. You’ll read assigned books. Fr. Thomas Hopko’s “The Orthodox Faith” series is common. So is Met. Kallistos Ware’s “The Orthodox Way.”
You’ll also need to visit other Orthodox parishes. This helps you see that Orthodoxy isn’t just St. Michael’s particular style. It’s the same faith whether you’re in Beaumont or Boston or Beirut.
At some point, you’ll choose a patron saint and a godparent. Your godparent needs to be an Orthodox Christian in good standing. Talk to Father before you ask anyone. This person will stand with you when you’re received into the Church, and they’re supposed to be a spiritual guide afterward. Choose carefully.
Reception into the Church
After you’ve completed your preparation and Father determines you’re ready, you’ll be received into the Orthodox Church. This usually happens around Pascha (Easter), though it can be other times depending on your situation.
How you’re received depends on your background. If you’ve never been baptized, or if your previous baptism wasn’t in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you’ll be baptized. That means full immersion, three times, in the name of the Trinity. Then you’ll be chrismated immediately afterward, anointed with holy chrism oil on your forehead, eyes, ears, mouth, chest, hands, and feet. Then you’ll receive communion for the first time.
If you were already validly baptized (most Protestants and Catholics were), you’ll be received by chrismation alone. Same anointing, same first communion. The priest decides which path applies to you.
Before your reception, you’ll make a life confession. This isn’t like the “sinner’s prayer.” You’ll sit down with Father and confess the sins of your whole life up to that point. It can take a while. Be honest. This is your chance to start clean.
After Reception
Here’s something people don’t always tell you: reception into the Church isn’t the finish line. It’s the starting line. You’re Orthodox now, but you’re still learning. You’ll stumble. You’ll forget to fast when you should. You’ll zone out during the Liturgy. You’ll wonder what you’ve gotten yourself into.
That’s normal. St. Silouan the Athonite said, “Keep your mind in hell and despair not.” He wasn’t talking about catechumens specifically, but the principle applies. This is hard. It’s supposed to be. You’re being healed, and healing hurts.
Your first year as an Orthodox Christian, you’ll establish a rhythm. Monthly confession becomes routine. You’ll learn when to cross yourself and when to bow. You’ll start to recognize the hymns. The Liturgy will slowly stop feeling foreign.
And somewhere in there, probably when you’re not paying attention, it’ll start to feel like home.
If you’re thinking about this journey, call the church office or talk to Father after Liturgy this Sunday. Just show up. That’s how it starts.
