«In 2004 His Holiness Aleksiy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, described catechetical talks as part of «traditional parish missionary efforts» (presentation at the 2004 Diocesan Conference). The church fathers — Cyril of Jerusalem, John Chrysostom, and others — likewise wrote of the necessity of catechesis before baptism, and the Savior Himself gave His apostles the commandment: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Mt. 28:19). This book is compiled from catechetical talks given by the missionary priest Daniel Sysoyev beginning in 2001, at the Yasneva metochion of the Optina Hermitage in Moscow. The printed texts of the talks preserve the spoken conversational style, drawing the reader in with numerous straightforward examples and clear answers to the catechumens' «tricky» questions. The majority of those who attended Father Daniel's talks became regular parishioners at Orthodox churches following their baptism. This book will benefit catechizers, clergy, theological students, and all who wish to be always ready to give an answer to every man that asketh a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear regarding the principles of the faith. Being actual dialogs on questions of faith and the Church, these talks will likewise be of interest to the catechumens themselves.»
