Yesterday I became an official Catechumen in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
I’ve been a kind of “unofficial” Catechumen all of my life, searching out the truth about Jesus Christ and His Church. Sometimes I was a very “unorthodox” catechumen. Searching out truth in nearly all religions and mystical practices – Yoga, Meditation, Chanting, Praying and prostrating etc.
I’m coming home now. The Church founded by the Apostles that began at Pentecost, after the ascension of Christ, is still here and God lead me to it.
By becoming a Catechumen I enter membership of the Church eternal.
In the early church, a catechumen was one who underwent rigorous instruction in preparation for Holy Baptism. The word comes from the Greek and means "to echo" or "sound in the ear." Catechumens were traditionally taught through question and answer, with the answer echoing back what was first taught.
The process of conversion to the Orthodox Church is not something that is taken lightly – as I’ve found to be the case of many other churches and religious affiliations. In many Protestant churches there is a very informal catechetical process when a “seeker” – one who attends the church in curiosity, becomes a more serious student of faith and joins the church through membership classes or by making a simple affirmation. Usually this is more thought to be membership of a particular church in a specific location, while the Orthodox Church’s Catechetical process includes membership in the Church Universal.
So, yesterday was a significant day in my life. Not as significant as the day of my Chrismation – which I’m hopeful will occur perhaps immediately before or during Lent - when I formally receive the “Seal” of the Holy Spirit as my confirmation as an Orthodox Christian.
I will not be re-baptised in the Orthodox Church, as I was baptised in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit on June 23, 1985 at Willow Creek Community Church. Which has more significance now than it did then.
As a Protestant I had always thought that the most important event in a Christian’s life was the prayer of commitment, or “first believing,” when you offer the Sinner’s prayer and “invite Jesus into your heart.” I remember doing that on the evening of January 22nd, 1984. I had always thought of that day as my “point of salvation.” However, I’ve come to understand now that the process of salvation is a lifelong journey – it starts with “first believing” and continues beyond physical death. When I am Chrismated in the Orthodox Church it follows the New Testament tradition of the Apostles, when the gift of the Holy Spirit was received AFTER baptism.
I’m coming home now. The Church founded by the Apostles that began at Pentecost, after the ascension of Christ, is still here and God lead me to it.
By becoming a Catechumen I enter membership of the Church eternal.
In the early church, a catechumen was one who underwent rigorous instruction in preparation for Holy Baptism. The word comes from the Greek and means "to echo" or "sound in the ear." Catechumens were traditionally taught through question and answer, with the answer echoing back what was first taught.
The process of conversion to the Orthodox Church is not something that is taken lightly – as I’ve found to be the case of many other churches and religious affiliations. In many Protestant churches there is a very informal catechetical process when a “seeker” – one who attends the church in curiosity, becomes a more serious student of faith and joins the church through membership classes or by making a simple affirmation. Usually this is more thought to be membership of a particular church in a specific location, while the Orthodox Church’s Catechetical process includes membership in the Church Universal.
So, yesterday was a significant day in my life. Not as significant as the day of my Chrismation – which I’m hopeful will occur perhaps immediately before or during Lent - when I formally receive the “Seal” of the Holy Spirit as my confirmation as an Orthodox Christian.
I will not be re-baptised in the Orthodox Church, as I was baptised in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit on June 23, 1985 at Willow Creek Community Church. Which has more significance now than it did then.
As a Protestant I had always thought that the most important event in a Christian’s life was the prayer of commitment, or “first believing,” when you offer the Sinner’s prayer and “invite Jesus into your heart.” I remember doing that on the evening of January 22nd, 1984. I had always thought of that day as my “point of salvation.” However, I’ve come to understand now that the process of salvation is a lifelong journey – it starts with “first believing” and continues beyond physical death. When I am Chrismated in the Orthodox Church it follows the New Testament tradition of the Apostles, when the gift of the Holy Spirit was received AFTER baptism.
"O Lord our God, who dwellest in the heavens,
and lookest down upon all thy works,
look down upon thy servants, the catechumens,
who have bowed their necks before thee,
and grant them the light yoke.
and grant them the light yoke.
Make them honorable members of thy holy Church,
and vouchsafe unto them the laver of regeneration,
and vouchsafe unto them the laver of regeneration,
the forgiveness of sins, and the robe of incorruption,
unto the knowledge of thee, our true God.
That with us they also may glorify thine all-honorable and magnificent name,
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
now and ever, and unto ages of ages."
- Divine Liturgy “Prayer for Catechumens”
2 comments:
Philippa, I'm going to take St.Martin the Merciful of Tours - Thank you for your blessing.
Marty
Many years, Martin! Prepare for battle.
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