Catechism

A catechism (pronunciation: /ˈkætəˌkizəm/; from Greek: κατηχέω, "to teach orally"), is a summary or exposition of doctrine and serves as a learning introduction to the Sacraments traditionally used in catechesis, or Christian religious teaching of children and adult converts. Catechisms are doctrinal manuals - often in the form of questions followed by answers to be memorised - a format that has been used in non-religious or secular contexts as well. The term catechumen refers to the designated recipient of the catechetical work or instruction. In the Catholic Church, catechumens are those who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Baptism. Traditionally, they would be placed separately during Holy Mass from those who baptized, and would be dismissed from the liturgical assembly before the Profession of Faith (Creed) and General Intercessions (Prayers of the Faithful).

Early catecheticals emerged from Greco-Roman messianism, especially the late Mithraists meant to educate their members into the secretive teachings, which gave way to the Christian Church as an underground religion in the 1st to 4th centuries CE. Today, they are characteristic of Western Christianity but are also present in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

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