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Shorter Catechism

St Philaret of Moscow, in Blackmore, 1845

Chapter 1

“AS NEW BORN BABES, DESIRE THE SINCERE MILK OF THE WORD, THAT BY IT YE MAY GROW UP UNTO SALVATION.” 1 Pet. ii. 2.

⁂ After the Short Sacred History, which takes up forty-two duodecimo pages, and is here omitted, the Catechism stands as follows:

Q. What learning is most needful for all men?

A. Christian learning.

Q. Why?

A. Because it leads us to God, to everlasting salvation, or, in other words, to everlasting happiness.

Q. How can we draw near to God?

A. By thought, wish, and deed.

Q. Who draws near to God by thought?

A. He who rightly believes in Him.

Q. Who draws near to God by wish?

A. He who prays to Him.

Q. Who draws near to God by deed?

A. He who walks after God’s will and law.

Q. Whence may we best learn how to believe aright?

A. From the Creed.

Q. Whence may we learn how to pray?

A. From the Lord’s Prayer.

Q. Whence how to walk after God’s will and law?

A. From the Ten Commandments.