Lesson 1: Introduction

 Welcome to this complete catechism of the Orthodox Christian Church. In this course you will learn the doctrine and way of life that has been faithfully preserved in the Orthodox Church from the time of Jesus Christ and His Apostles. You may proceed at your own pace. Each lesson introduces essential teachings that support spiritual growth and the deepening of faith. You will be guided through written and video materials, followed by reflection questions. Your responses will be reviewed by an Orthodox clergyman, who will offer pastoral comments and clarification before you continue to the next lesson.

This catechism begins by clarifying the purpose of the Christian life and the nature of the faith it requires. Before entering more deeply into doctrine, you will be invited to recognize the difference between the sacramental worldview of the early Church and the secular worldview that shapes modern culture. From there, you will explore the relationship between Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition, and come to understand faith as living, dynamic, and continually growing.

You will then examine God’s creation—made from nothing and declared “very good”—and humanity’s unique place within it. Created in the image and likeness of God, human beings are called to grow into divine love. Yet through the misuse of free will, humanity fell from communion with God, entering a condition marked by mortality, suffering, and struggle. Out of His great love, God prepared the way for our restoration through the Incarnation of His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. You will study Christ’s life and teachings, and learn how salvation is understood in Orthodoxy as theosis—our healing and transformation through union with God. You will also see how the Orthodox Church has carefully preserved Christ’s teaching from the Apostles to the present day.

With this foundation, you will then be introduced to the Orthodox way of life—a life that leads toward communion with God and eternal life in His Kingdom. You will learn how self-centeredness and the passions hinder spiritual growth, and how the Church, in cooperation with divine grace, offers healing through prayer, fasting, worship, and the sacramental life. Special attention is given to Holy Communion, the heart of the Divine Liturgy, and to Holy Confession, which restores us to communion with God and prepares us for Baptism or Chrismation.

Finally, the catechism addresses death and the life to come. Rather than fearing death, we learn to face it with faith in a loving God, grounded in Christ’s Resurrection and the hope of His Second Coming. The course concludes by reflecting on judgment, eternal life, and our preparation to live forever in God’s presence.

The class involves videos of class prevention as well as a text book written specifically for the class. Be sure to procure: Orthodox Way: A Catechism for Seekers available on Amazon and other sites as well in our Church bookstore.

To begin, we ask that you complete a short set of personal background questions to help us accompany you more effectively on your spiritual journey. Please follow the link below to begin.