Join the Church that has stayed unchanged for 2,000 years. Seven simple steps, from your first visit to a parish to your first Holy Communion.
Free on iPhone, iPad and Android: prayers, daily readings and the Orthodox calendar.
Founded by Jesus Christ through His apostles, born on the day of Pentecost, and still living the same faith today.
2,000 years
of unbroken life, from the apostles to today
Pentecost
the day the Church was born
First millennium
its Christian tradition, kept unaltered
The Orthodox Church is the direct successor of the early Church that Jesus Christ founded through His apostles, the Church that was born on the day of Pentecost. Its life has continued without a break from that day to ours.
Seen through history, Orthodoxy has kept the Christian tradition of the first thousand years just as it received it: the same faith, the same sacraments and the same worship. When you become Orthodox, you join that same unbroken Church.
Every parish is a little different, but the path usually looks like this.
You go through catechesis, a time of learning the faith, and are then received into the Orthodox Church: by Baptism if you were never baptized a Christian, or by Chrismation if you were. Along the way you visit a parish, talk with the priest, attend the Sunday services and begin to live a Christian life.
Find the nearest Orthodox church and go to a service. Greek, Russian, Serbian, Romanian, Antiochian and other Orthodox parishes all belong to the one Orthodox Church. You don't need permission to come in and pray.
After the service, introduce yourself to the priest and tell him you would like to become Orthodox. He will get to know you, answer your questions and explain how his parish welcomes new members.
Next comes catechesis: a season of learning the Orthodox faith, its teachings (dogmas), its traditions and its prayers. As a catechumen you also begin to shape your days around a Christian way of life.
This period lasts anywhere from a few months to two years, depending on the parish.
In the app: learn the morning, evening and meal prayers in the Prayer Corner.
Start attending the Sunday service regularly. In the Orthodox Church it is called the Divine Liturgy, the service Catholics know as the Holy Mass. Coming week after week is how you learn the rhythm of the Church's worship and become part of the parish family.
In the app: read today's Epistle and Gospel, the same readings heard in your parish.
How you are received depends on your past:
When you are received, you publicly confess the Orthodox faith by reciting the Creed, which begins: "I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth."
Being received into the Church is a beginning, not a finish line. You will be encouraged to take an active part in the life of the Church: regular Confession and Holy Communion, daily prayer, reading the Scriptures and keeping the fasts.
In the app: see every feast and fast day on the New or Old Calendar.
Which one you receive depends on whether you have already been baptized.
Never baptized
You are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, by immersion three times. Chrismation and your first Holy Communion follow right after.
Already baptized as a Christian
If you were baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity, for example in a Catholic or Protestant church, you are usually received through Chrismation, the sacrament the West calls Confirmation. You are anointed with holy chrism, then receive Holy Communion.
Practice differs between jurisdictions, and some receive every convert by Baptism. Your priest will tell you what applies to you. Either way, you will usually have a sponsor, or godparent, to stand with you and help you grow in the faith.
The prayers, readings and calendar of the Church in your pocket, so you can keep learning between Sundays.
Everything you start learning at church, ready on your phone every day.
As someone new to Orthodoxy, this app has been an invaluable resource. The audio prayers and daily inspirational messages have guided me in my newfound faith. Highly recommended for both beginners and long-time Orthodox Christians.
Alex, New Convert
Best app for drawing closer to The Trinity, God, Jesus & the theotokos. Highly recommend for people inquiring about eastern orthodoxy, new convert or a life long eastern orthodox christian. This app is easy to navigate & read.
TC, Android user
Usually from a few months to two years. The length of catechesis depends on the parish and on your own journey, and the priest decides when you are ready to be received.
Usually not. If you were baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, you are normally received by Chrismation (Confirmation). Some parishes and jurisdictions baptize all converts, so ask your priest what applies to you.
A catechumen is someone preparing to enter the Orthodox Church. During catechesis you learn the faith, its traditions and its prayers, and you take part in parish life before you are received.
Chrismation is the sacrament in which you are anointed with holy chrism (myron), a specially consecrated oil, and sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. It follows Baptism, and it is also how most people already baptized in the Holy Trinity are received into the Orthodox Church. Western Christians call it Confirmation.
The Nicene Creed, also called the Symbol of Faith, which the Church set down at the Ecumenical Councils of 325 and 381. It begins: "I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth."
Usually, yes. A sponsor, or godparent, is an Orthodox Christian who stands with you when you are received and helps you grow in the faith afterwards. Your priest can help you choose one.
Expect a service that is mostly sung, with icons, candles and incense. In many parishes people stand for much of the service, but you may sit if you need to. Dress modestly, follow along quietly, and stay afterwards to meet the priest and the people of the parish.
Yes. Everyone is welcome at Orthodox services, and going to the Sunday Divine Liturgy is one of the first steps. Holy Communion is received once you have joined the Church. Until then, in many parishes you can come forward at the end of the service for the blessed bread (antidoron).
You become a full member of your parish. You are encouraged to go to Confession, receive Holy Communion regularly, pray every day, read the Scriptures and keep the fasts of the Church.
Yes. The app is free to download on iPhone, iPad and Android, with free access to all core features, including some free daily readings and prayers. Premium unlocks the full Orthodox audio Bible, prayers with audio and daily audio readings.
Bring the prayers of the Church with you, from your first visit to your first Communion.
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