What are the basic principles of catechism in the Coptic Orthodox Church?

It is fitting for us as believers to benefit from the experience of our fathers through the stages of catechism over the centuries, that we may live with a spiritual, living, Biblical mindset in every aspect of our lives; whether in our study of the Holy Bible, our practice of the truly evangelical life, or in our daily conduct; even our eating and drinking, our worship in the spirit of truth, and our service for every person we meet, even if we do not know them personally, and in our conversations with believers and nonbelievers.

St. Clement of Alexandria describes the life of the Christian believer in his book The Instructor ( Paedagogus ). He explains that our faith in Christ must be translated into action. We live in Christ Jesus when we walk alongside the elderly whose movement is slow and when we walk alongside the young who are quick in their movements; in our smile and our refraining from inappropriate laughter; in our observance of table manners as those in the conscious presence of God; in our sleep …so the believer lives as an ambassador of Christ in all matters, whether they seem important or trivial. And he does all this without either the literalism that kills or tedious routine.²³

In all of this, there are two important considerations: our hearts should be inflamed with love for the Lord Christ while we await His swift coming on the clouds to take us into His heavenly bridal chamber; and we should also be constantly occupied with the salvation of the whole world, even of those who have fallen into what we may deem serious crimes or impure sins!