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Catechumen The Orthodox Church has no formal '''catechism''', a single body of work that details the specifics of its faith. This is sometimes misspelled as cathecumenone difference between the Orthodox Church and the [[Roman Catholic Church]], who does have a specific [http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm catechism]. ==See also==* [[Inquirer]]* [[Conversion]]* [[Journeys to Orthodoxy]]* [[Orthodox Catechisms in English]]* [[Online books#Catechism|Online books: Catechism]]
→See also: Add link to online catechism list
A '''catechumen''' (Greek: κατηχούμενος) is one who is preparing for [[baptism]] in the Church. In modern usage, ''catechumen'' can also refer to one who is preparing for [[chrismation]] (or another form of reception) to be received from a [[heterodox]] Christian communion.
In the ancient Church, the catechumenate , or time during which one is a catechumen, often lasted for as much as three years and included not only participation in the divine [[services]] but also '''catechesis''', formal instruction from a teacher, often the [[bishop]] or appointed '''catechist'''. [[Exorcist]]s often performed the catechetical role, as well, following their initial prayers of [[exorcism]] over the one being made a catechumen, which is the traditional manner of receiving a catechumen into the community of the Church.
Catechumens are understood to be Christians upon beginning their catechumenate, and should they die before baptism, they are traditionally given an Orthodox [[funeral]].
Catechetical instruction in [[Orthodoxy in America]] does not typically last the three years which was common in the time of St. [[John Chrysostom]], but typically can last from six months to a year, depending on the practice of the bishop, his [[jurisdiction]], and the level of spiritual maturity of the catechumen. Local [[parish]] [[priest]]s typically oversee the catechesis of those preparing to be received into the Church.
[[Category:Church Life]]
[[ro:Catehumen]]