Becoming a Member of the Orthodox Church
If you're considering joining the Orthodox Church, welcome — we're glad you're here. This page walks through what that process looks like, how long it typically takes, and why the Church approaches it this way.
An Overview of the Process
Becoming Orthodox is not a single event but a journey, one that typically takes around a year and a half from start to finish. That journey unfolds in a few stages:
Inquiry
Before anything is official, we simply invite you to attend services and get to know the community. Most people spend a few months in this stage, worshiping with us and beginning to ask questions. Our Inquirer's Class, held Saturdays at 3:00 PM, is a natural first step. It introduces the foundations of Orthodox liturgical and spiritual life and is open to anyone exploring the faith, no commitment required.
Becoming a Catechumen
When you're ready to formally begin the process of joining the Church, you are received as a catechumen. This is a meaningful step: it's a public declaration of your intention to unite yourself to the Orthodox Church. From this point, it is normally about a year before someone is received into full communion through baptism or chrismation.
Catechesis
During this year, the heart of your preparation is participation in the life of the Church: attending the Divine Liturgy and other services regularly, along with catechism classes, currently held Sundays at 12:45 PM (subject to change seasonally). Catechumens are also given a checklist to help track the requirements to be completed before baptism or chrismation.
Reception into the Church
The process concludes with baptism or chrismation, depending on your religious background, formally receiving you into the Orthodox Church.
Why Does It Take So Long?
The Church has never treated conversion as simply making up your mind — it's understood, since its earliest days, that becoming a new person takes time.
A few things are happening during this time:
Formation, not just information. Learning about Orthodox doctrine is only part of the process. Just as important is learning to pray, to worship, and to live according to the rhythms of the Church calendar — fasting, feasting, confession, and the liturgical cycle. These are habits of the heart that take time to take root.
A season of discernment for both you and the Church. This period gives you space to genuinely test and confirm your calling, without pressure or rush. It also allows the priest and the community to walk alongside you and offer guidance along the way.
A gift, not a delay. Many who go through it describe the catechumenate as one of the most spiritually rich seasons of their life, not an obstacle standing between them and membership. It sets the tone for the following relationship with God, one shaped by patience, humility, and steady growth rather than a single moment.
You're Not "On the Outside" While You Wait
Becoming a catechumen already places you within the life and care of the Church. Even during this preparatory period, you are considered a member of the parish family. Should you pass away as a catechumen, you would still be given an Orthodox funeral.
Ready to Learn More?
We'd love to talk with you about what this process looks like for you specifically. Reach out to us to schedule a conversation with Fr. Jason, or feel free to speak with him after Divine Liturgy on Sunday during Coffee Hour.