What is this about Catechesis, Catechism, Catechumens?
What is this about Catechesis, Catechism, Catechumens?
A quick glance at the history and significance of the ancient order of catechumens, and why it matters today.
“Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Explanation:
Definition: A catechumen is someone preparing for initiation into the Church's sacred mysteries of baptism and chrismation.
Early Christian Instruction: Converts received basic teachings on Christian doctrine and moral preparation—began in the early church and increased in length during times of persecution. The Catechumenate was crucial for ensuring commitment and understanding of faith before baptism.
Stages of Preparation: May be divided into stages—inquirers, and catechumens—involving doctrinal instruction, moral insight, and liturgical iniatation.
Catechumen in Scripture: “Let him who is taught [ho katechoumenos] the word share in all good things with him who teaches [to katechounti]” (Gal. 6:6).
Process:
Inquiry Stage: Basic instruction; present at Liturgy until the sermon.
Catechumen Stage: Recognized as Christians, participated more fully in Church life, underwent rites like the sign of the cross and exorcism.
Illumination Stage: Final stage includes prayer, fasting, acceptance of the Nicene Creed, and initiation through baptism and chrismation.
Historical Catechism and Catechesis
Since the early Church, the term “Catechumens” has been used to denote those newcomers preparing for initiation into Christianity's sacred mysteries.
Apostolic Era:
Basic Instruction: In Acts 2, they move swiftly from preaching to baptism, but by the end of Acts they’re planting churches and establishing competent leaders and teachers. This is why St. Paul the Apostle said to one such leader: “Entrust the things you heard from me, in the presence of many witnesses, to faithful men who will also be able to teach others” (2 Tim. 2:2). Early teachings were simple and short, tailored for Jews and pagans.
Precautions: To prevent apostasy, a thorough intellectual and moral preparation was necessary. This included countering pagan philosophy and strengthening faith against persecution.
Evolution of Catechesis:
Second, Third, and Fourth Centuries: Catechumenate became more structured. Varied based on individual readiness; could last months or years. Continued to engage pagan thought with Christian teachings.
Institutional Growth: With organized churches, catechesis became longer and more elaborate. The catechetical work of the Church flourished in the early centuries—both in times of peace and times of persecution.
Early Catechetical Works: Several Early Church Fathers published catechetical works, and even early forms of catechisms—among them, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, St. John Chrysostom, St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Gregory of Nyssa, and St. Basil the Great. These works played a significant role in the catechetical tradition of the early Church, helping to instruct new converts in the Christian faith.
Post-Triumph of Christianity: As Christianity spread, the catechumenate necessity waned. Most were born and raised within the faith, reducing the need for prolonged preparation.
The Need Continues: But there remains a need for it wherever adult converts come to the Church—and we should be constantly teaching and catechizing all of our people as a life-long process. Recent centuries have seen publications of Orthodox catechisms, and use of designated catechists is on the rise in many parts of the world, including the American and African continents.
St. John Chrysostom on the period of catechesis:
“This is a time for joy and gladness of the spirit. Behold, the days of our longing and love, the days of your spiritual marriage, are close at hand. To call what takes place today a marriage would be no blunder; not only could we call it a marriage but even a marvelous and most unusual kind of military enlistment. Nor does any contradiction exist between marriage and military service. That no one may think there does, let him listen to the blessed Paul, the universal teacher, who has used both these similes. In one place he said: I betrothed you to one spouse, that I might present you a chaste virgin to Christ. In another text he spoke as one arming soldiers about to go forth into battle and said: Put on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Practical Matters:
Variety in Form: Like the catechesis of the Early Church, catechesis frequently varies from one local parish church to another. But typically it will involve some instruction in the basics of the faith, sometimes even in a formal classroom setting, and usually by a priest or someone he has entrusted with teaching (a “catechist”).
Pious Preparations: May include increased prayer, self-examination, and at some point even confessions and prayers for exorcisms.
The specifics may vary according to local traditions and individual needs or concerns.
Christianity is Communal: One of the most important parts of this process is integrating into the life of the community—attending services, catechism classes, Bible studies, and whatever may be available at the parish that time allows.
We Believe: Speaking of communal, we hold a unity of Christian faith as central to what makes us “Orthodox.” And we take our common faith seriously: catechumens must affirm the Orthodox Faith whole and entire, and essentially renounce their former beliefs—so this is an important period of time for every catechumen to make the faith one’s own.
To this end, the priest may also advise or appoint additional reading of books, modern or ancient, or even Scripture.
Wisdom of Sirach, for instance, is reputed to have been used by catechists in the early Church for instruction in Christ’s wisdom and in moral teaching. It came to be called Ecclesiasticus in the west, from ecclesia (church), and basically means “Church Book” in Latin.
Finding a Sponsor: All converts to Orthodox Christianity require two sponsors—a heavenly sponsor/patron saint (complete with name day), and an earthly sponsor/godparent.
With the guidance of the priest, and gradually integrating into the community, this will become possible for even shy catechumens.
Taking Ownership: During this period, a catechumen may be advised to obtain some or all of the following: an Orthodox Bible, an icon or two, a prayer book, and perhaps even a prayer rope—and then to become a steward of the church.
Again, local expectations may vary, but definitely get that Bible and prayer book!
The Mysteries: The process of catechesis usually ends with the candidate being baptized and/or chrismated, wherein they are joined to Christ and made a member of the Orthodox Church.
Holy Communion is typically received shortly after one is initiated into the faith, frequently on the same day. Their sponsors, both heavenly and earthly, play a vital role at this time.
Now and Forever, Amen: For forty days after, those newly baptized and chrismated are considered “newly illumined,” and begin a new life in Christ, intended to go on for the rest of a person’s life, becoming a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ in this life, and stretching beyond into the eternal Kingdom of Christ our God.
St. John Chrysostom to his catechumens:
“I beg you, do not be careless in pondering your own salvation…. Soon you will put on Christ. You must act and deliberate in all things with the knowledge that He is everywhere with you.”
Additional Source: [New Advent]