JOHAN SLÄTIS: CATECHUMEN WORK AT HELSINKI

ORTHODOX PARISH

Christianity arrived to Finland in the 12 th century from Novgorod in the east (to Carelia)
and from Sweden in the west (to county of Finland and Häme). The Orthodox church of
Finland has the same official status as the Lutheran Church. Children (7-18 yrs) receive
religious education in school.
Today the Orthodox Church is a minority church with around 60.000 members and part
of the Ecumenical patriarchate. The majority of the members have Carelian or Russian
ancestors, but many of the active members are converts or immigrants from Orthodox
countries in Europe and from Ethiopia.

Mission in the Orthodox context

All churches and monasteries are mission stations. We are called to share the gifts of the
liturgy, to be co-workers to make the Kingdom visible in the world. Traditionally the
teaching has been individual. Since early 1990’s the first catechumen groups started
adopting the program from the St. Filaret Institute in Moscow. The catechumen work is
based on early church practices (4th century).

Today we have 6 catechumen groups in the Helsinki parish communities and in other
parishes around Finland. Groups start in September -> conversion at Easter (or January -
> Pentecost)

What are the backgrounds of people interested in the Church?

• spiritual seekers, people seek a spiritual home

• family background or spouse is Orthodox
• interested and attracted by Orthodox theology or the icons / music
• sometimes protesters or “refugees” from oppressing Christian communities
• people from the gay community seek acceptance and spirituality

Age range of catechumens is from 18 to 80. Sometimes the whole family joins the
church. Knowledge of Christian faith or/and Orthodox Church varies very much. People
with mental illnesses need personal guidance.

The catechumen program at the Helsinki Orthodox parish

• people contact the priest on duty or they find the information about the
Catechumen-groups on the parish web-site.
 • in September first gathering, where the catechumens choose their group. Each
group has a teacher and a priest.
• groups meet every second week, more often during Lent
o Service of entering the church (exorcisms) 1.week of Lent
▪ after this they are a part of the congregation (prayer with names at
liturgy)
o Ointment (or baptism) at Easter Saturday liturgy

About 1/3 who have started do not appear anymore or inform that they leave the group.
Usually they say they are not yet ready for entering the Church.

Growing into the community

The first community is the catechumen-group -> expanded with god-brother/sister ->
after ointment part of the parish. The co-operation with the god-brother-sisters activates
the parishioners, also not active parish members. Many orthodox feel they do not know
enough (despite school-teaching) to be god-persons.

Problems occurring during catechumanate and after conversion:

• difficult for some individuals to join a confessional community

• rest of family stays in other Christian community (same calendar with Lutherans),
the Eucharistic table is closed for an non-orthodox is felt as an offence
• fear of being subjected and under a rule if entering a church community = loss of
freedom
• difficult to be member of a Church, which maintains outdated patriarchal
structures (no ordination of women)
• In the liturgy heaven and earth meet in complete unity. Are the mysteries of the
church true or a tale? It is important to stress that the Kingdom is within us.

The catechumen priest

• discusses with each before entering catechumen group. Persons not suited for the
group get private instruction.
• take part in teaching (sacraments, confession)
• discussion before exorcisms and first confession before ointment
o can continue as confession father, or neophyte finds own spiritual father

The teaching
Most catechumens have knowledge of the Christian faith some has studied it for years.
The teaching stresses the orthodox tradition and understanding.
The Catechumens are encouraged to participate in the most important services during
Lent. They are usually lazy going to services.

The day of ointment (and baptism) during the liturgy of Holy Saturday

• those not baptized are baptized during the Parimias (old Testament readings from
historical Easter vigil)
• ointment with god-brother/sister who gives the neck-cross and candle
• many organize a get together with family and friends in the afternoon

Positive reactions to catechumenate and conversion

• all in the group that converted felt that the catechumenate was a time of spiritual
growth
o growing into the church community many felt as an important and
demanding process (individuality -> community)

After conversion

• what is the place of the new “living stone” in the community?

• the parish provides possibilities to social activity, voluntary work within
diakonia, excursions and gatherings
• when does the converted become orthodox? – The identity of the converted?

Principles for doing catechetical work in a modern society where Christianity is

marginalized

The catechetic teaching ought to provide an environment where all difficult questions
could be discussed. The self importance and pomposity can discourage the catechumen.
The personal and equal encounter increases the interest of the community. It is also the
way to handle the narrow views that fundamentalists spread on internet.

We working with the catechumens teach about the eastern Christian tradition, but we do
not have ready answers. We as parts of the church can provide a place, a context where
spiritual questions can be raised, where the seeker can orientate him/herself.

All activities, participating in the group and services etc starts from the free will of the
catechumen. The initiative of starting the path of spiritual growth comes from the
individual.
Conclusion

Despite many obstacles the radical alternative of Christian life in a money-and-

competition-centered society attracts many people to the Christian church and the
Orthodox Church. We can do our part and despite us the miracle of new relations
between men happens. The living God is working in the hearts of people. The neophytes
comments of the spiritual journey they have made during their time as catechumens and
often their joy is a testimony of the work of the Holy Spirit.

Consultation on Evangelism in Theological Education and Missiological Formation in

Europe Bossey, 28.-31.10.2012

Johan Slätis has a master’s degree of theology from the University of Eastern Finland. He
is working as a teacher of catechumens in his home parish in Helsinki. He is also teaching
a few months per year at the Kasikizi catechetical school in Tanzania (close to Bukoba) as
part of the support to the Archdiocese of Mwanza organized by the Finnish orthodox
Mission. He is a member of the network for gay Orthodox Christians in Finland.

At summertime he is working as a garden designer and manager in his horticultural

enterprise.