CATECHISM OUTLINE
PREPARATION FOR RECEPTION INTO THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
BY BAPTISM OR RECEPTION OF CONVERT FROM PROTESTANTISM
ST. CYPRIAN OF CARTHAGE
ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA
Midlothian, Virginia
Each of these weekly lessons will also be supplemented by content from The Orthodox Faith, by Fr. Thomas Hopko, available for online reading at https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith or for purchase via the link.
Essential Orthodox Christian Beliefs as recently published for pdf download by the Orthodox Church in America has not been integrated within the content of this outline, however, it is a very thorough and helpful organization of our essential beliefs.
MAIN TEXT (Should be ordered by the catechumen): Clark Carlton, The Faith: Understanding Orthodox Christianity, available in print at Amazon/ Second Edition/Revised
SECONDARY TEXTS (Should be ordered by the catechumen) Jeremy McKemy: Becoming Human: The Healing Journey Coming into the Orthodox Church, available in print at Amazon
Spirituality (The Orthodox Faith, vol. 4) The links within the weekly syllabus make online reading of the related text possible from all four volumes of The Orthodox Faith, by Fr. Thomas Hopko. For following this outline of catechism, physical copies of these two volumes may be preferred, but completely up to the reader.
Worship (The Orthodox Faith, vol. 2)
What is the Orthodox Church?
Clark Carlton, The Faith, pages 22-39
The Symbol of Faith
Clark Carlton, The Faith, pages 40-54
Jeremy McKemy, Becoming Human, pages 11-34
Fr. Thomas Hopko, The Orthodox Faith, Vol. 1, Doctrine and Scripture: Nicene Creed
Nicene Creed Faith God Creation Angels and Evil Spirits Man Sin Jesus Christ Son of God Incarnation Redemption Resurrection Ascension Judgment Kingdom of God Holy Spirit Church Sacraments Eternal Life
The Holy Trinity
Clark Carlton, The Faith, pages 55-66
Jeremy McKemy, Becoming Human, Appendix A, pages 119-134
Fr. Thomas Hopko, The Orthodox Faith, Vol. 1, Doctrine and Scripture: The Holy Trinity
Holy Trinity The Holy Trinity Revealed Wrong Doctrines of the Trinity One God, One Father One God: One Divine Nature and Being One God: One Divine Action and Will One God: One Divine Knowledge and Love The Three Divine Persons The Holy Trinity in Creation The Holy Trinity in Salvation The Holy Trinity in the Church The Holy Trinity in the Sacraments The Holy Trinity in Christian Life The Holy Trinity in Eternal Life
Creation and the Fall of Mankind
Clark Carlton, The Faith, pages 67-92
Jeremy McKemy, Becoming Human, pages 52-65
Fr. Thomas Hopko, The Orthodox Faith, Vol. 1V, Spirituality
The Promised Messiah of Israel and The Incarnation
Clark Carlton, The Faith, pages 93-116
Fr. Thomas Hopko, The Orthodox Faith, Vol. 1, Doctrine and Scripture: Salvation History
Word and Spirit Pre-History Abraham Passover Kingship Priesthood Prophecy Holiness
Man’s Yes to God
Clark Carlton, The Faith, Chapter Seven
The Teachings of Christ and Love Stronger than Death
Clark Carlton, The Faith, pages 129-154
Jeremy McKemy, Becoming Human, pages 95-116, 151-164
Fr. Thomas Hopko, The Orthodox Faith, Vol. 1V, Spirituality: Orthodox Spirituality
The Beatitudes The Virtues The Greatest Virtue is Love
The Birth and Mission of the Church and The Structure of the Church
Clark Carlton, The Faith, pages 155-180
Jeremy Mckemy, Becoming Human, pages 171-174
Fr. Thomas Hopko, The Orthodox Faith, Vol. 1, Doctrine and Scripture
Revelation Tradition Bible The Liturgy The Councils The Fathers The Saints Canons Church Art
Holy Baptism, The Seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit, The Mystical Supper
Clark Carlton, The Faith, pages 193-216
Jeremy McKemy, Becoming Human, pages135-150
Fr. Thomas Hopko, The Orthodox Faith, Vol. 1I, Worship
The Church Building The Sacraments The Daily Cycles of Prayer The Church Year The Divine Liturgy
The Church at Prayer and Monasticism
Clark Carlton, The Faith, pages 217-228, 241-252
Jeremy McKemy, Becoming Human, pages 66-81
Fr. Thomas Hopko, The Orthodox Fath, Vol. 1V, Spirituality
Prayer The Lord’s Prayer Intercessory Prayer Unceasing Prayer The Jesus Prayer Liturgical Prayer Meditation Prayer in the Spirit Fasting Almsgiving
The Age to Come and Living an Orthodox Life in a Secular World
Clark Carlton, The Faith, pages 253-279
Jeremy McKemy, Becoming Human, pages 175-201
Fr. Thomas Hopko, The Orthodox Faith, Vol. 1V, Spirituality
The Church The Sacraments The Kingdom of God