How do I become Orthodox?

I get this question all the time, so I break it down into three easy components. Number one, you come as an inquirer, somebody interested in Orthodoxy. It's like the dating phase: no commitment, you come as you like, and you get a sense of what's involved in being an Orthodox Christian. Number two, once you decide you'd like to become Orthodox, you become a catechumen.

The priest reads the formal prayers over you, you receive a saint's name, and you begin living the Orthodox Christian life. That is like engagement, preparing for baptism: doing a life confession, studying the materials your parish prescribes, following the instruction of the priest, developing a prayer rule, and fasting along with the church. Number three is Holy Baptism.

From the time you begin inquiring to the time you are baptized is usually a minimum of one year of study, preparation, prayer, and fasting. When you're baptized you are also chrismated and receive the Holy Spirit, and then you are a full-standing member in the church.