Q: What is a catechumen?

A: The term catechumen in Greek literally means, "one who is undergoing instruction and/or preparatory training" and is most associated with those who are desirous of becoming Christians.  Traditionally, this training also became associated with the period of Great Lent, which allowed the catechumen the ability of being brought into the Christian Faith on Pascha to fully participate in the Church's "Mysteries" (or sacraments) of Baptism, Chrismation, and Holy Communion . In our modern era, however, a catechumen often denotes someone who is preparing to join or convert to the Orthodox Christian Faith.

Fr. John