- So what the heck is a Gnostic Church?
- What does a Gnostic Church do?
- Isn't the idea of a Gnostic "Church" kind
of odd?
These questions, and many more, are
answered, in part, in our F:.A:.Q:.
However, some further explanation may be required.
There are three essential aspects to what
we DO.
We are first and
foremost a Church.
However, as a Church, we also operate within
what we refer to as the French Gnostic Tradition.
We are also a school
of sorts.
From the earliest Gnostic sects, there
has been a pairing of ecclesiastical/liturgical rites with
that of some sort of school for the education of adherents
of a given tradition. Even in the present day we carry on
this tradition. In part, this is through the theoretical
and practical education received by those few who desire
to serve others through the reception of Holy Orders. More
often, however, we encourage study groups at which people
may discuss various Gnostic texts, ideas, and experiences;
and these are often modeled on the 19th century Salons des
Roses+Croix so as to make them a little less formal and
a little more creative.
We are tied to certain
initiatory orders.
It has long been a part of our Tradition
to associate with certain initiatory orders - both for the
lay members of our Church, and for the clergy. As of the
renaissance of our Church circa 1890, a very particular
initiatory order (and school) that has been connected to
our Church is Martinism. And as of 1919, another was officially
added to our Tradition - that of Freemasonry, but more specifically
the rites of Memphis & Misraïm, or Egyptian Freemasonry.
Hence, a formal tripartite structure (Church-Martinism-Masonry),
with a less formal school/study group component is the basis
of what we, as a Gnostic Church, do. The details
of each must really be experienced.
For a little more information regarding
each of these three pillars, see the links on the left.
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