This is the process of joining the Orthodox Church

• First, make sure to have a conversation with Fr. Bryce and let him know that you’re interested in beginning the process of joining the church

  • We’ll have a brief prayer of blessing at the next Divine Liturgy

• Attend the services of the Church regularly, as much as possible (including weekday services and Bible studies)

  • Make a special effort to attend all of the Holy Week services

• Read “Going to Church: A How-To Guide”

• “Orthodoxy 101” lessons take place following most Sunday Divine Liturgies.

• Read “Get started with prayer and fasting”

• Read Metropolitan Kallistos Ware’s books, The Orthodox Way and The Orthodox Church

• Read Metropolitan Kallistos Ware’s article, “How to Read the Bible”

• Speak with Fr. Bryce regularly, especially about your spiritual practice and Orthodoxy 101 questions

• After at least a year of regularly attending church as a catechumen, speak with Fr. Bryce about being chrismated (or baptized if you have never been baptized)

Additional Resources:

• The Sayings of St. Anthony the Great

• 55 Maxims of Orthodox Christian Living - Fr. Thomas Hopko

• The Didache

• Trisagion Films

• Noteworthy episodes of Fr. Thomas Hopko’s podcast:

  • Baptism with Fire

  • How Can I Know?