In
maintaining our dual heritage, we have endeavored to keep
similar structures in our Church, so our hierarchy resembles
that of some more commonly known. The basic structure starts
and continues thus:
- Oratory (or Mission)
- A budding Church or group of interested faithful gathered
together and led by one who is in Minor Orders, but
Preferably at the level of Deacon.
- Chapel (or Parish) -
A Church which is led by a Priest who may serve the
faithful and provide the Eucharist, etc.
- Sanctuary (of the Gnosis)
- The see of a Bishop, usually a diocese with one or
more Chapels, or a region of governance.
The hierarchical structure of the PEOPLE
of the Church is as follows:
- Congregants, "faithful",
"auditors" or "hearers" -
individuals who attend but are not necessarily clergy
involved in any of our initiatic traditions.
- Religious - individuals
devoted to 'Community' and a religious life of devotion
to God & Gnosis. These individuals may or may not
participate in Holy Orders, but participate in a different
kind of sacramental life.
- Minor Orders - clergy
in training who serve in the traditional roles of Cleric,
Doorkeeper, Reader, Exorcist or Acolyte.
- Sub-Deacons - the transition
point between Minor and Major Orders. The Sub-Deacon
is essentially the assistant to the Deacon and Priest.
- Deacons and Priests
- advanced clergy serving as Deacons and Priests who
offer the Eucharist and serve at Vespers, Healing Services,
etc.
- Apostolic Prefects -
Priests given special charge of a particular administration
within the church and authorized to perform Baptisms,
Confirmations and intitiate Minor Orders through the
level of Acolyte.
- Bishops - the Fullness
of the High Priesthood of the Church. Bishops are charged
with administration of all the sacraments, administration
of the business of the Church and direction for local
Oratories, Chapels and Sanctuaries.
At the international level, the Church
is led by a Bishop, a Major, and a Minor, who constitute
the leadership of the Council of the Church. Each Diocese
location is to be served by a Bishop, Major, and Minor who
function primarily administratively, but always sacramentally,
although it is the role of the Deacon or the permanent Priest
to maintain regular activity within any Chapel or Oratory.
It should be known that by the term "hierarchy"
we do not mean to suggest a repressive relationship. It
is merely a convenient term to suggest the structure which
is currently used. While our structure is similar to others,
let us add that equal participation is encouraged among
all the members of the church - whether they be an individual
who attends Mass or Salon on a regular basis, or a Priest
of the Eglise Gnostique. Each serves a specific function
- and that is the basis of the structure - primarily to
differentiate functions. Clergy are, in addition, servants
of the whole Gnostic Christian community.
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