PILKO Ján - Acta PATRISTICA, volume 16, issue 33/2025
THE SYSTEM OF CATECHESIS OF CATECHUMENS IN THE EARLY CENTURIES OF CHRISTIANITY
Ján PILKO
assistant professor, Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Presov, Masarykova 15, 08001 Presov, Slovakia, jan.pilko@unipo.sk, 00421517724729, ORCID: 0000-0001-8167-5170, Web of Science Researcher ID: AAA-1188-2020
Abstract
The present paper seeks to examine and describe the manner and system of catechizing catechumens in the Church during the period from the second to the fifth century. Numerous inconsistencies, as well as the frequent establishment of independent catechetical schools, led to a decline in catechesis, especially in the fourth and fifth centuries. The causes included various sects and heresies that undermined the teaching of the Church. There was also an ambiguous understanding of the position of women within the ecclesial community, which likewise resulted in many misunderstandings.
Keywords
Catechesis, deaconess, bishop, Church, Tertullian, God, Irenaeus of Lyons
SUMMARY
Catechesis in the first centuries of Christianity was by no means simple. Bishops as well as catechists—teachers had to contend with various pitfalls and dangers characteristic of the period. The Church encountered diverse heretical movements; various sects arose that often did not recognize the Mysteries, such as Baptism and the Eucharist. During this time, numerous apocryphal gospels and letters attributed to the holy apostles also emerged. In addition, Christians had to face persecution from many directions.
Despite all this, we see that the Church was always able to respond effectively to the situations that arose, in order not to lose control over those who were coming forward as candidates for entry into the Church. Thanks to catechetical schools, the Church was able, in this turbulent period, not only to grow and develop, but also to give rise to a vast body of writings by Christian teachers and the holy Fathers. These schools were an immense source of knowledge of Church teaching not only for catechumens. Apologetic literature directed against pagans during times of persecution also played an important role in catechizing precisely this category of catechumens, who, despite persecution, were coming into the Church in large numbers.
(Language: english)