What you can ask about
You may wish to explore Orthodox belief, prepare for a first visit, begin the catechumenate or return to Church life after an absence. A priest can help you consider these questions in the light of the Church's teaching and your own circumstances.
Write down two or three main questions before a meeting. Say what you have read and what you would like to understand more fully. This gives the conversation a clear beginning and helps the priest recommend a useful next step.
Begin with a local community
Ask your nearby parish about a suitable time to speak with its priest. Where a priest serves several communities, arranging a meeting helps make room for an unhurried conversation.
Use the directory to find a community or ask the Archdiocese for help with the right contact for your area and language.
Keep the first enquiry simple
The first message can give your name, a reply contact, your general area and the broad subject of the conversation. There is no need to include detailed medical, legal or family information, identity documents or the private circumstances of another person just to request a meeting.
A pastoral conversation is different from a public question-and-answer page. If a matter is private, say that you would prefer to discuss it directly. The priest can explain the appropriate setting and any further information that is actually needed.
A meeting and sacramental confession
An introductory meeting gives someone exploring Orthodoxy the opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance. The priest can also explain the sacrament of confession and its place within the life of an Orthodox Christian.
Preparation for Baptism, marriage and Holy Communion takes place with pastoral guidance. A conversation with the priest brings the Church's teaching into contact with your circumstances and helps establish the appropriate next steps.
Preparing an enquiry
The contact page keeps the parish or subject you were exploring attached to your enquiry. In this local preview, the form prepares an unsent draft on your computer.
While arranging contact, explore the questions and first-visit guides. They offer a starting point for the conversation you would like to have.
Continue exploring
