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Greek Orthodox Catechism
Constantine Callinicos, London, 1926
Preface
It should be overstating the truth, if one attempted to explain fully here all the reasons for which the teaching of the elements of Christian Faith, Practice and Worship to our boys and girls is of paramount importance. Consider only what far-reaching consequences for the whole life have the first impressions of childhood, and how the subsequent edification of the soul by sermons heard in Church presupposes necessarily a preliminary catechetical preparation, to make the soul fit for the further acceptance of the Word of God. The first duty of the Church is to care for the spiritual education of the young, and it rests with her ministers, by their knowledge, experience and personal example, to lead their flock in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. This duty, however noble and inspiring, is, nevertheless, a difficult one, especially when Orthodox children, born and brought up outside Greece, can neither speak nor understand the Greek language.
It is under such circumstances as these, that the zealous efforts of the Orthodox clergy are most urgently needed. In the first place, it is necessary for the ministers of Greek communities in England, France, Switzerland and other countries, to master the language of the country in which they settle; then, they should learn to understand and be understood by the younger members of the community; and finally, by means of instruction in Catechetical Schools, they must endeavour to cultivate the Orthodox faith of these young people, thus helping them to become good and valuable citizens in the future.
Some four years ago, the Sacred Metropolis of Thyateira was established, for the purpose of supervising the religious needs of the Greek Orthodox communities of Northern and Western Europe. The religious education of the young in the faith of their fathers is one of her first cares and aims. And for this reason, every effort made in that direction has her encouragement and support. The above-mentioned Catechetical Schools cannot possibly fulfil their object in a satisfactory way, unless they have suitable books; in order to make this possible, the Metropolis deemed it necessary that manuals should be published in the language of those who are to be catechised. This “Greek Orthodox Catechism,” which is the first of the manuals to be published, is intended for the instruction of English-speaking Greek communities in this country, where the Metropolis has her seat.
We entrusted the writing of this book to the skilled pen of the Rev. C. Callinicos, Protopresbyter of the Greek Community in Manchester, who, up to the present time, has done much to enrich our modern Greek Ecclesiastical Literature with several notable works and, amongst his other compositions, has issued pamphlets in English.
Although the present book bears the title of “Catechism,” and the arrangement of its subject matter is in the order usually found in any Catechism, yet it presents something new, because it deals in the Third Part with Divine Worship. The importance of the part played by Divine Worship in the Greek Orthodox Church, and its influence on the religious outlook of young people, are well known. Thus, the subject of Part Three was considered an essential supplement to the two preceding sections.
A competition was held in Greece, for the best manual written for use in advanced classes in the Catechetical Schools in Greece. By permission of the Metropolis of Thyateira, this work, written in Greek, was sent in by the author, to be judged, with the result that it was awarded the prize by the Archbishopric of Athens. To quote the words of the committee, in passing judgment, “the work, examined from a purely scientific point of view, is perfect, and might well vindicate the place of a great Catechism, suitable for our higher Catechetical Schools”; and again, “even teachers of Catechism will find it an excellent guide.” The Official Bulletin of the Church of Greece holds that “the book is characteristically distinguished by precision, clearness and thoroughness.”
We heartily support these opinions and congratulate the author on his valuable work, which bears our blessing. We trust that, through the Grace of God, it will be a source of unerring knowledge of the Orthodox Faith, not only to English-speaking Greeks, but to anyone seeking sound information as to the doctrine and practice of the Orthodox Church...
In conclusion, we offer our grateful thanks to Sir L. Ralli, to whose generosity and piety the publication of this book is largely due.
✠ The Metropolitan of Thyateira
Germanos.
London,
Sunday of Orthodoxie, 1926.