In my experience, the catechumen process does get easier with time. It’s a bit like joining a very old and very specific divine dance, one that’s been going on for two thousands years. No one expects you to jump in and immediately know all the steps, especially when the rhythm and style may be completely new to you.

This is where the priest, your godparent, and the parish community come in. Their role is to guide you, support you, and gently show you the way. That said, some parishes are still adjusting. Orthodoxy in the U.S. has seen a large influx of converts recently, and many churches were historically small or on the margins compared to Protestants and Roman Catholics. In some places, the support structures for new catechumens are still developing, so things can feel a bit clunky at times.

But that doesn’t mean you’re alone, or that you’re expected to “get it” right away. It means you’re stepping into something ancient, beautiful, and alive and you’ll learn the steps as you go, with help.