Current: 2022-2023
(To see the Archive from previous years, click here)
Current Catechisms can be found at this link: Fr Paul Truebenbach on Youtube!
RESOURCES:
Catechumen Book list:
TO BE READ BEFORE BAPTISM (books are in recommended order only)
1. Wisdom for Today from the Early Church: A Foundational Study by David Ford
2. Know the Faith by Fr Michael Shanbour
3. Thinking Orthodox by Dr. Eugenia Constantinou
4. On the Incarnation by St Athanasios
5. Father Arseny, 1893-1973: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father translated by Vera Bouteneff
6. The Way of a Pilgrim and the Pilgrim Continues His Way by an Anonymous author
7. The Mountain of Silence by Kyriacos Markides
(Important note: This is an incredible book, introducing readers to basic Orthodox spirituality, spiritual principles, and many modern Saints of the Church. Everything said by Fr. Maximus in the book is completely Orthodox and worthy of attention. The author (Markides), however, takes a modern, syncretistic viewpoint that often skews Fr. Maximus’ words. Markides’ interpretation is not only faulty; it is, at times, dangerous. Please disregard his analysis and stick with Fr. Maximus’ words directly. Note especially that Markides’ chapter on the difference between Eastern and Western Christianity is particularly problematic.)
8. The Illness and Cure of the Soul in the Orthodox Tradition by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos
TO BE READ IN YEAR FOLLOWING BAPTISM (can be read during catechumenate period as well)
9. Knowledge of God by Harry Boosalis
10. God’s Revelation to the Human Heart by Fr. Seraphim Rose
11. The Field by St Ignatius Brianchaninov
12. Wisdom from Mount Athos: The Writings of Staretz Silouan by Archimandrite Sophrony
13. The Truth of our Faith by Elder Cleopa
14. Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus
15. From I-ville to You-ville by Mersine Vigopoulou
(a children’s book, but one that should be read by every Orthodox Christian!)
