%catechumen%

n. [ L. catechumenus, Gr. kathchoy`menos instructed, from kathchei^n. See Catechise. ] (Eccl.) One who is receiving rudimentary instruction in the doctrines of Christianity; a neophyte; in the primitive church, one officially recognized as a Christian, and admitted to instruction preliminary to admission to full membership in the church. [ 1913 Webster ]