A person who is receiving instruction in the basic beliefs of Christianity before being baptized or admitted as a full member of the church.
From Latin 'catechumenus,' derived from Greek 'katechoumenos' (one being taught orally), from 'katechizein' (to teach by word of mouth); entered English through ecclesiastical Latin.
Catechumens were the original students of Christianity—in the early church, you couldn't just show up and join; you had to spend months or years being intensively questioned about doctrine before you could be baptized, making the journey to full membership a serious commitment.
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