THE CATECHIST
THE ART OF LISTENING AND TEACHING
C U R R I C U L U M
Module I
The Revelation of God and the Orthodox Faith
October 5–November 13, 2026
- 6 Weeks
Week One: Divine Revelation
- Natural revelation
- Phenomenology of religion and diversity of religions
- Supernatural revelation (Scripture and Tradition)
- The role of the Holy Spirit in revelation
- The Church as guardian of truth
Week Two: Holy Scripture
- Inspiration and canon of Scripture
- Old and New Testament unity
- Christ as the fulfillment of Scripture
- How Scripture is interpreted in the Church (Patristic exegesis)
Week Three: Holy Tradition
- Definition of Holy Tradition
- Apostolic succession
- The Ecumenical Councils
- The Church Fathers
- Creed, liturgy, and iconography as Tradition in action
Week Four: “I believe in one God, the Father Almighty…”
- Monotheism
- The Father as “principle” (archē) and “cause” (aitia) of the Son and the Spirit
- Creation ex nihilo
- Divine Providence
Week Five: “And in the Holy Spirit…”
- Procession from the Father
- The Spirit in creation and salvation
- Pentecost (descent of the Holy Spirit)
- The Spirit in the Church
- The “filioque” issue (brief doctrinal clarification)
Week Six: “And in one Lord Jesus Christ…”
- Eternal generation of the Son
- True God of true God
- The Incarnation
- Theotokos (Council of Ephesus)
- The two natures of Christ (Council of Chalcedon)
- The Cross and Atonement
- The Resurrection
- The Ascension and the Sitting at the Right Hand of the Father
Module II
THE CHURCH AND THE MYSTERIES
November 30, 2026–January 22, 2027 (no classes between December 19, 2026 and January 3, 2027)
- 6 Weeks
Week One: “One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church”
- Nature of the Church
- Body of Christ
- Apostolic succession
- Unity and conciliarity
- Church authority and councils
Week Two: “I confess one baptism…”
- Baptismal theology
- Remission of sins
- New birth
Week Three: The Mystery (Sacraments) of Baptism and Chrismation
- Death and resurrection in Christ
- Triple immersion
- Chrismation connection
- Seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit
- Pentecostal fulfillment
Week Four: The Holy Eucharist
- Real Presence
- Sacrifice and thanksgiving
- Communion and theosis
- Preparation and worthy reception
Week Five: Repentance (Confession) and Holy Unction
- Real Presence
- Sacrifice and thanksgiving
- Communion and theosis
- Preparation and worthy reception
Week Six: Marriage and Priesthood (Holy Orders)
- Crowning
- Domestic Church
- Icon of Christ and the Church
- Bishop, priest, deacon
- Apostolic succession
- Liturgical ministry
Module III
WORSHIP AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
January 25–March 5, 2027
- 6 Weeks
Week One: The Divine Liturgy
- Structure and theology
- Eucharistic sacrifice
- The Kingdom made present
Week Two: The Liturgical Year and the Daily Cycle
- Pascha as the center
- Great Lent
- Nativity Fast
- Feasts of the Lord and Theotokos
- Saints and martyrdom
- Vespers, Matins, Hours
- Sanctification of time
Week Three: Icons
- Theology of icons (Seventh Ecumenical Council)
- Veneration vs. worship
- Incarnational theology
Week Four: The Human Person, Sin, and the Passions
- Image and likeness of God
- The Nous
- Freedom and synergy ·
- “Ancestral” sin
- Corruption and death
- The passions as distorted faculties
Week Five: Salvation
- Theosis (deification)
- Synergy (cooperation with grace)
- Justification and sanctification in Orthodox understanding
Week Six: Prayer and Asceticism
- Fasting · Vigil
- Almsgiving
- Spiritual warfare
- Personal prayer rule
- Jesus Prayer · Fasting and asceticism
Module IV
MORALITY, ESCHATOLOGY AND HOPE
March 15–April 23, 2027
- 6 Weeks
Week One: The Commandments
- The Ten Commandments
- The Beatitudes
Week Two: Sanctity of Life and Social Teachings
- Human dignity
- Marriage and sexuality
- Bioethical issues
- Charity and justice
- Peace and forgiveness
- Christian witness in society
Week Three: Virtues and Good Deeds
- Faith, hope, love
- Humility
- Obedience
- Discernment
Week Four: “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end”
- Death as passage
- Particular judgment
- Memorial services
- The Parousia (Second Coming of Christ)
Week Five: “… and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead” and “…the life of the world to come.”
- Universal bodily resurrection
- Final judgment
- The Kingdom of God: New Heaven and New Earth
- Eternal life
Week Six: The time (καιρός) is fulfilled, and the kingdom (βασιλεία) of God is at hand”
- Political context of first-century Israel / Palestine
- The fullness of time
- Kingdom of God
- Imperial Orthodoxy
- Church and state
- Nationalism
Module V
CATECHETICAL PEDAGOGY FOR PARISH SETTING
May 3–June 11, 2027
- 6 Weeks
Week One: The Ministry of Catechesis in the Church
- Christ as the first Teacher
- The Apostles as catechists
- The bishop, priest, and catechist
- The ministry of teaching as service to the Church
- Catechesis as evangelization and discipleship
Week Two: The Character and Spiritual Life of the Catechist
- Personal holiness and credibility
- Humility and obedience to the Church
- Prayer and ascetical life
- The catechist as witness before teacher
- Cooperation with the parish priest
- A catechist does not merely communicate information but introduces persons into life in Christ
Week Three: The Orthodox Understanding of Learning and Pedagogyn
- Formation versus information
- The heart, mind, and nous
- Learning through worship
- Learning through participation
- The role of beauty in formation
- Teaching through Scripture
- Dialogue and questioning
- Accompaniment and mentorship
- Progressive revelation and spiritual maturity
- Catechumenate in the early Church
- Formation through liturgy and icons
- The role of memorization and repetition
- The importance of spiritual fatherhood
Week Four: Principles of Adult Learning / Teaching Children and Youth
- Understanding adult converts
- Respecting prior religious backgrounds
- Addressing questions and doubts
- Building trust and community
- Encouraging active participation
- Developmental stages
- Age-appropriate instruction
- Storytelling and Scripture
- Liturgical participation
- Family-centered catechesist
Week Five: The Journey of Conversion
- Inquiry
- Catechumenate
- Baptism and Chrismation
- Mystagogical formation after reception
- Identifying common ground
- Explaining differences with empathy
- Addressing misconceptions
- Presenting Orthodoxy positively
- Beginning with natural revelation
- The human search for meaning
- The Gospel proclamation (kerygma) · Introducing Church life
Week Six: Building Community while teaching the Religiously Unaffiliated and the non-Orthodox Christian
- Why Orthodoxy? Welcoming newcomers
- Connecting catechumens with parish life
- Sponsorship and mentorship
- Building community
- Scripture and Tradition
- Saints and icons
- Mary and the Theotokos
- Salvation and theosis
- Contemporary ethical questions