How do I become a member of St. Ignatius Mission?

First, it must be understood that Orthodox doctrine teaches we must respect the individual decisions of all candidates for membership of St. Ignatius. You will not be "pressured" into any relationship with our Mission. Your personal initiative and pursuit of membership is regarded as highly important in your progress in becoming a member. Accordingly, you may decide not to become a member. You will always be welcome to continue visiting all of our services.

Transfers from other Canonical Orthodox churches:

For those who come to the Mission from another Canonical Orthodox Church or Mission:

• Attend the services of St. Ignatius Mission

• Meet with the Pastor to request membership transfer

• If you are not known by the Pastor, you may be asked to provide:

• Letter from your former Priest acknowledging the transfer

• Certificate of Baptism/Chrismation

• If the Pastor knows you, these items may not be required, however it is strongly suggested that you have these for your own personal records.

• Membership may be granted following the meeting with the Pastor. The Pastor will arrange a time to introduce you to the congregation as a new member.

• During this time, the Pastor will help you understand how to become a Voting Member of St. Ignatius and determine how you can use how God has blessed you for the temporal maintenance of the Church.

Candidates for membership from other religious organizations

Prospective members should attend the services of the St. Ignatius Mission.

Meet with the Pastor to understand what is required of you personally for membership. You will be enrolled in our Inquirer/Catechumen classes. The length of time required in these classes is solely between you and the Pastor and your personal progress towards understanding the doctrines and practice of the Orthodox Church and our Mission.

You may be asked any or all of the following questions:

• Do you understand the Orthodox faith? Your personal experience and beliefs in Christ, His Sacraments, His Church and other questions that our Priest thinks are important in understanding and assessing your particular needs in becoming a member of the Orthodox Church.

• Have you been baptized? The Sacrament of Baptism is critical in becoming a member of any Orthodox Church. Baptism must have been performed by a Trinitarian Church to be accepted by the Orthodox Church. A list of these churches may be provided upon request. You will be asked to provide documentation in the form a Baptismal Certificate. The Orthodox Church may accept your Baptism. Correct Baptism is as just as important as not re-baptizing when unnecessary.

• Are you prepared to be Chrismated? Orthodoxy, along with Baptism, believes in the Sacrament of Chrismation. The Pastor will explain this belief to you in detail. If your Baptism is accepted, you will not be re-baptized but will need to be Chrismated into the Orthodox Church. If our Pastor does not accept your Baptism, you will be Baptized and Chrismated into the Orthodox Church.

• Do you want to become an active voting member? During this time, the Pastor will help you understand how to become a Voting Member of St. Ignatius and determine how you can use how God has blessed you for the temporal maintenance of the Church.

Upon the approval of our Pastor, you will be introduced to our Mission as a member of the St. Ignatius Orthodox Mission and enrolled in our Mission Census as a member not only of the St. Ignatius, but also of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.