The Orthodox - Basilian Catechism

No. 1

+The Society of Clerks Secular of Saint Basil+
(+The Basilians - The Basilian Fathers+)
(+The Society of Saint Basil+)

FOREWORD

Different cultures abound in various parts of the world, but no more so than in the English speaking portions of the Americas. Thought processes are formed by the language which the thinker uses, with the most volatile and potentially fruitful language of today being English. Because of these and other factors, teaching books and methods designed for one culture and language often just do not work very well for another culture and language. This is true for English speaking America of today, more than for any other group in the history of mankind.

Because of this, we have searched for a religious teaching system, a catechism, which would work for Orthodox, English speaking, America. The modern, large page, cartoon image format has been examined and rejected, for it has been found to be of little substance, often misleading and given to nullification of thought with its Saturday morning cartoon picture approach, and prone to subtle error in its briefly telling a story method which when combined with the usual pictures, binds the thought process and impedes learning.

The philosophical discussion format most common in Orthodoxy and now in the new Roman Catechism are very well suited for those engaged in deep study of the Faith, but are totally unsuitable for those of English speaking American culture engaged in beginning to learn the Faith.

The one format which has been found to be successful in teaching the Faith, even without a teacher, is that used in the Baltimore Catechism series - the question and answer format of route memory which requires individual thought and imagination for true comprehension.

This, The Orthodox - Basilian Catechism, is unabashedly based on the Baltimore Catechism series of the Roman Catholic Church, and corresponds to No. 3 of that series. Many Orthodox may find this to be unsettling, but we find no valid reason to ignore teaching aids and formats which have been proven to be very successful.

We therefore have adopted, and adapted, the original work for Orthodox use, and both approve the use of this, The Orthodox - Basilian Catechism No. 1, within our Archdiocese, and establish it as the only authorized Catechism for our Archdiocese. It is to be used for and by those of all ages as the introductory catechism, particularly those from the beginning of the ability to comprehend (from birth) and those in the Catechumenate (converts) through and including those who are beginning to comprehend Confession and the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion).

+ Paul, S.S.B. , .
Metropolitan Primate
March 29, 1999 .

Publication Number CATCSM2.PUB (Microsoft Publisher booklet format)
CATCSM2A.PDF (Adobe sequential pages)
CATCSM2B.PDF (Adobe booklet format)

The Society of Clerks Secular of Saint Basil
Saint Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church
125 Hartsie Drive
Waveland, Mississippi 39576
U.S.A.
http://www.reu.org

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