Pastoral Reflection: Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026
After the Litany of Fervent Supplication, our prayers turn to the people gathered in church today. These begin with the Litany of the Catechumens. Catechumens are those preparing to be received into the Church through a period of teaching and spiritual formation.
It's important to pray this litany even when no catechumens are present. It reminds us of the Church's fundamental mandate: making disciples of all nations. We are always called to pray for those who are coming to Christ and preparing for life in His Church, whether they are with us in church or not.
When a deacon serves, this litany begins with the proclamation, "Let all catechumens depart!" In the early Church, catechumens did not remain for the celebration of the Eucharist. They were dismissed for further instruction while the faithful continued with the Divine Liturgy. Today, this proclamation remains as a reminder of that earlier practice, but we no longer dismiss non-Orthodox Christians at this point in the service. Although Holy Communion is reserved for baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christians who are in good standing with the Church, everyone is welcome to remain for the entire Divine Liturgy.
With love in Christ,
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