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🕊️ Catechumen Corner
Learning to Live the Covenant
In the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, catechism is not informational. It is sacramental preparation. It is entering the Covenant — with humility, discipline, and pastoral care.
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What Is a Catechumen?
A catechumen is a seeker who is being formed by the Church for baptism and chrismation, walking with the community toward sacramental life.
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The Five Steps of Entering the Covenant
This path is not a module system. It is a formation journey that moves from belief into worship, discipline, communion, and full integration.
Dogma & Theology
The Head — what we believe in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo tradition.
Liturgy & Praxis
The Heart — how we worship and enter sacred space with reverence.
Fasting & Feasts
The Body — how the calendar shapes the soul and daily life.
Hagiography & Intercession
The Cloud of Witnesses — learning to walk with the saints.
Penance & Integration
Entering fully into the fold through repentance and sacramental life.
The Foundation: Dogma & Theology
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo faith transmits doctrine with reverence, clarity, and humility. This is where the catechumen learns the core mysteries of salvation.
The Ark of Worship: Liturgy & Praxis
The catechumen moves from observer to participant, learning the rhythm and beauty of the Divine Liturgy.
The Path of Discipline: Fasting & Feasts
Orthodoxy is rhythmic. The calendar shapes the soul through fasting, feasts, and daily remembrance.
The Communion of Saints
The catechumen learns to live within the cloud of witnesses, asking for intercession without confusion or fear.
The Life of the Spirit: Penance & Integration
This is the sacred entrance into the fold: confession, baptism, and the covenant life in daily practice.
Is Orthodoxy for Me?
A gentle reflection area for inquirers who want ancient Christianity, sacramental life, and spiritual transformation.
Before I Visit a Church…
Practical, respectful guidance that reduces fear and confusion before your first visit.
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Find a Church Near You
Locate a parish and introduce yourself. The Church is ready to receive your questions with patience.
St. Mary Ethiopian Orthodox Church
123 Main Street, Washington DC
Service Times:
- Sunday Divine Liturgy: 8:00 AM
- Saturday Evening Prayer: 6:00 PM
Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Church
456 Church Avenue, Silver Spring, MD
Service Times:
- Sunday Divine Liturgy: 7:30 AM
- Wednesday Prayer: 7:00 PM
St. Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Church
789 Orthodox Way, Alexandria, VA
Service Times:
- Sunday Divine Liturgy: 8:30 AM
- Friday Evening Prayer: 7:00 PM
Catechumen Checklist
A gentle progress tracker. These are not achievements, but steps of readiness.
Prayer for Catechumens
Lord Jesus Christ, guide those who seek Your covenant. Grant repentance, illumination, and peace through the prayers of the Theotokos and all the saints.
Common Questions for Catechumens
Cathecuminal Corner Resource Center
If you are unfamiliar with the Orthodox Church, do not feel overwhelmed. These resources are organized for steady self-study and catechumen formation.
- Orthodox Faith Course — St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church (Houston, TX)
- Orthodox Hymns Course — St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church (Houston, TX)
- Thirsting for God in a Land of Shallow Wells — Matthew Gallatin
- Introduction to the Coptic Orthodox Church — Fr. Tadros Malaty
- Orthodox Thought and Instruction: In the Orthodox Church — Fr. Tadros Malaty
- The Orthodox Concept: Tradition and Orthodoxy — Fr. Tadros Malaty
- The Seven Sacraments: The Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church (Book III) — Fr. Tadros Malaty
- Coptic Christology Past and Present — Fr. Tadros Malaty
- God: The Coptic Orthodox Church & The Dogmas — Fr. Tadros Malaty
- The Coptic Orthodox Church & The Dogmas: Alexandria and Christian Dogmas — Fr. Tadros Malaty
- Becoming Orthodox: A Journey to the Ancient Christian Faith — Fr. Peter Gillquist
- Two Thousand Years of Coptic Christianity — Otto F. A. Meinardus
- Comparative Theology (Free PDF) — H.H. Pope Shenouda III
- For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy — Alexander Schmemann
- Salvation in the Orthodox Concept (Free PDF) — H.H. Pope Shenouda III
- The Inner Kingdom — Bishop Kallistos Ware
- The Faith: Understanding Orthodox Christianity — Clark Carlton
- The Orthodox Faith (Free PDF) — SUS Diocese compilation
- The Orthodox Church — Timothy Ware
- Introduction to the Coptic Orthodox Church (Free PDF) — Fr. Tadros Malaty
- Understanding the Liturgy (Free PDF) — Fr. Athanasius Iskander
- Beginning to Pray — Anthony Bloom
- Orthodox Prayer Life: The Interior Way — Matthew the Poor
- Preserve Them, O Lord — Fr. John Mack
- Two Become One: An Orthodox Christian Guide to Engagement and Marriage — Fr. Antonios Kaldas
- Parenting Toward the Kingdom: Orthodox Principles of Child-Rearing — Philip Mamalakis
- Blueprints for the Little Church: Creating an Orthodox Home — Elissa Bjeletich and Caleb Shoemaker
- Bringing Up Girls — James Dobson
- Bringing Up Boys — James Dobson
- Discovering Orthodoxy (Fr. Peter Farrington)
- Spiritual Journey to Orthodoxy
- Orthodox Catechesis
- Why do I need to be baptized?
- Orthodox Way of Prayer
- Orthodox Way of Prayer – Silence
- Developing a Prayer Rule
- What about icons?
- An Introduction to Orthodoxy – Bishops
- The Virgin Mary and Orthodoxy
- Liturgical Worship and Orthodoxy (Part 1 | Part 2)
- Hyper-grace is no Grace
- Guide to Early Church Documents
- Early Church Fathers
- The Church Fathers
- St. Pachomius Library
- Apostolic Canons
This site is created and managed by Fr. Jerome Maximous. All rights reserved.
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Request a Catechumen Mentor
If you are ready for guidance, we can help you connect with a priest or mentor who will walk with you.