Becoming Orthodox

I would now like to share with you the steps a person takes to become a member of the Orthodox Church, which is the Church founded by Jesus Christ and His Apostles.

The first step is learning the faith. A person who wishes to become Orthodox begins by learning the teachings of the Church. This time is called catechumenate. In the early Church, those preparing for baptism were called catechumens. Even in the New Testament we see people being taught before baptism—“They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).

Repentance and faith. Entry into the Church requires repentance—a turning away from sin—and faith in Jesus Christ. Saint Peter said: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38).

Baptism by immersion. In the Orthodox Church, baptism is done by threefold immersion in water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). This is the ancient and true form of baptism, practiced by the Apostles. Paul explains its meaning: “We were buried with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Immersion shows dying and rising with Christ.

Chrismation (Confirmation). Immediately after baptism, the new Christian is anointed with holy oil, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is based on the practice of the Apostles: “Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:17). In the Orthodox Church, this sacrament is called chrismation.

Holy Communion. From the very beginning, those baptized and chrismated receive Holy Communion, the Body and Blood of Christ, just as the Apostles did at the Last Supper (Luke 22:19–20). This unites the new Christian fully to the life of the Church.

Being Orthodox means living a life of prayer and growth. Becoming Orthodox is not just a single event but the beginning of a lifelong journey of prayer, worship, and holiness. The goal is to remain faithful to Christ, living within His Body, the Church.

To become a member of the holy Orthodox Church means to repent, believe, and be baptized in the true Apostolic way—by immersion in the Holy Trinity—then to be sealed with the Holy Spirit and united to Christ in Communion. This is the same path that the Apostles taught and the Church has kept for nearly two thousand years.

With love in Christ,
Fr. Charles

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