Prayer and Fasting
What is the next step if I want to become Orthodox?
Begin by attending regularly, speaking with the priest, joining catechism, learning the Liturgy, and starting a small life of prayer and repentance. Becoming Orthodox means entering the worship, faith, sacraments, discipline, and community of the Church.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
A Practical First Month
Come to the Divine Liturgy consistently. Meet Abouna and say plainly that you are interested in learning. Ask about catechism or an inquirer class. Begin one simple prayer practice, such as the Morning Prayer or a Psalm from the Agpeya. Read the Gospel. Keep asking honest questions.
What Comes Later
As you are formed, the priest will guide questions about baptism, chrismation, confession
A Good Question To Ask
Ask, "What should I do next this week?" That keeps the path concrete. The journey into the Church is serious, but it usually begins with faithful, ordinary steps.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
- Entering the Coptic Church, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States Q&A. Pastoral answer on reception into the Church and the need for priestly guidance.
- The Sacrament of Baptism, Part One, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Doctrine and theology article on baptism as new birth, washing, and union with Christ.
- Using the Agpeya in Prayer, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States Q&A. Pastoral answer on praying with the Agpeya and growing in personal prayer.
- How Does One Begin Fasting?, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States Q&A. Pastoral answer on beginning fasting, length of abstinence, and foods commonly avoided.
- The Seven Sacraments, Servants Preparation Program, SUSCopts. Doctrine lesson explaining the sacraments as visible mysteries through which the faithful receive grace.
Orthodox: Right worship and right belief, naming the Church's received apostolic faith and the life of worship that preserves it.
Sacrament: A visible mystery through which God gives grace to His people. In Coptic usage the sacraments belong to the whole healing life of the Church.
Divine Liturgy: The Church's central Eucharistic worship, where Scripture, Creed, offering, thanksgiving, consecration, and Communion are gathered into one prayer before God.
Abouna: A common Coptic way to address a priest, meaning our father, because priestly service is pastoral and fatherly within the life of the Church.
Agpeya: The Coptic Book of Hours, a daily pattern of psalms, Gospel readings, and prayers that teaches the day to return to Christ.
Baptism: The sacrament of new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, joining a person to Christ's death and resurrection and to the life of the Church.
Chrismation: The anointing with holy Myron after Baptism, sealing the newly baptized with the gift and indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Confession: The sacrament of repentance in which a person confesses sins before God in the presence of the priest and receives absolution and guidance.