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			{{Short description\|Religious organization based on ideas and systems of early Christian and Jewish mysticism}}
	{{For\|other Gnostic churches\|Gnostic church}}
			{{For\|other Gnostic churches\|Gnostic church (disambiguation)}}
	{{Thelema}}
			{{Thelema\|expand=Organizations}}
			'''Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica''' ('''E.G.C.'''), or the '''Gnostic Catholic Church''', is a ] organization. It is the ecclesiastical arm of ] (O.T.O.), an international fraternal initiatory organization devoted to promulgating the Law of ].

	'''Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica''' ('''E.G.C.'''), or the '''Gnostic Catholic Church''', is the ecclesiastical arm of ] (O.T.O.), an international fraternal initiatory organization devoted to promulgating the Law of ]. Thelema is a philosophical, mystical and religious system elaborated by ], and based on '']''. The word ''Catholic'' denotes the universality of doctrine and not a Christian or Roman Catholic belief set.		Thelema is a philosophical, mystical and religious system elaborated by ], and based on '']''. The word ''Catholic'' denotes the universality of doctrine and not a ] or ] belief set.

	The chief function of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica is the public and private performance of ] (Liber XV), a eucharistic ritual written by Crowley in 1913. According to ], Crowley wrote the Gnostic Mass "under the influence of the Liturgy of St. Basil of the Russian Church."<ref>W. B. Crow quoted in T. Apiryon, .</ref> Its structure is also influenced by the initiatory rituals of ~~the ]~~.<ref>King, Francis (1973). ''Secret Rituals of the O.T.O.'' New York: Samuel Weiser. ISBN 0-87728-144-0</ref> Its most notable separation from similar rites of other churches is a Priestess officiating with a Priest, Deacon, and two Children. In addition to the Eucharist, baptism, confirmation, marriage, and last rites are offered by E.G.C.		The chief function of ''Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica'' is the public and private performance of ] (''Liber XV''), a eucharistic ritual written by Crowley in 1913. According to William Bernard Crow, Crowley wrote the Gnostic Mass "under the influence of the ] of the ]".<ref>W. B. Crow quoted in T. Apiryon, .</ref> Its structure is also influenced by the initiatory rituals of Ordo Templi Orientis.<ref>King, Francis (1973). ''Secret Rituals of the O.T.O.'' New York: Samuel Weiser. {{ISBN\|0-87728-144-0}}</ref> Its most notable separation from similar rites of other churches is a Priestess officiating with a Priest, Deacon, and two Children. In addition to the Eucharist, baptism, confirmation, marriage, and last rites are offered by E.G.C. Marriage is not limited to couples of different genders.<ref>{{Cite web
			\| title = sabazius_x: Same-Sex Marriage
			\| access-date = 2009-11-01
			\| url = http://sabazius-x.livejournal.com/12249.html
			\| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091226030154/http://sabazius-x.livejournal.com/12249.html
			\| url-status = dead
			\| archive-date = 2009-12-26
			}}</ref>

	About the Gnostic Mass, Crowley wrote, "... the Ritual of the Gnostic Catholic Church ... I prepared for the use of the O.T.O., the central ceremony of its public and private celebration, corresponding to the Mass of the Roman Catholic Church." It is the single most commonly performed ritual at O.T.O. bodies, with many locations celebrating the Mass monthly or more frequently. Most O.T.O. bodies make some or all of these celebrations open to interested members of the public, so the Mass is often an individual's first experience of ~~the~~ O.T.O.		About the Gnostic Mass, Crowley wrote in '']'', "... the Ritual of the Gnostic Catholic Church ... I prepared for the use of the O.T.O., the central ceremony of its public and private celebration, corresponding to the Mass of the ]."<ref>{{Cite book
			\| publisher = Mandrake Press
			\| last = Crowley
			\| first = Aleister
			\| title = The Spirit of Solitude: an autohagiography: subsequently re-Antichristened The Confessions of Aleister Crowley.
			\| location = London
			\| date = 1929
			}}</ref> It is the single most commonly performed ritual at O.T.O. bodies, with many locations celebrating the Mass monthly or more frequently. Most O.T.O. bodies make some or all of these celebrations open to interested members of the public, so the Mass is often an individual's first experience of O.T.O.

	Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica has a hierarchical structure of clergy, assisting officers, and laity which parallels the degree structure of the O.T.O. initiatory system. Before 1997, the two systems were more loosely correlated, but since then there have been strict rules concerning minimum O.T.O. degrees required to serve in particular E.G.C. roles.{{~~Facts~~\|date=~~March~~ ~~2009~~}}		''Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica'' has a hierarchical structure of clergy, assisting officers, and laity which parallels the degree structure of the O.T.O. initiatory system. Before 1997, the two systems were more loosely correlated, but since then there have been strict rules concerning minimum O.T.O. degrees required to serve in particular E.G.C. roles.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://oto-usa.org/oto/egc/\|title=EGC\|date=October 23, 2012\|website=US Grand Lodge}}</ref>

	==Membership==		==Membership==
			Membership in ''Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica'' is similar to the Roman Catholic Church, with some important differences. As currently constituted, E.G.C. includes both clergy and laity. Clergy must be initiate members of O.T.O., while laity may affiliate to E.G.C. through ] and ] without undertaking any of the degree initiations of the Order.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2017-10-03 \|title=EGC – Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica \|url=https://www.williamblakeoto.org/egc-ecclesia-gnostica-catholica/ \|access-date=2024-08-30 \|website=William Blake O.T.O. \|language=en-US}}</ref>

	Membership in Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica is similar to the Roman Catholic Church, with some important differences. As currently constituted, E.G.C. includes both clergy and laity. Clergy must be initiate members of O.T.O., while laity may affiliate to E.G.C. through ] and ] without undertaking any of the degree initiations of the Order.

	Novice clergy are initiate members who participate in the administration of E.G.C. ]s, although they have not yet taken orders (i.e., been through a ceremony of ordination).		Novice clergy are initiate members who participate in the administration of E.G.C. ]s, although they have not yet taken orders (i.e., been through a ceremony of ordination).

	The first ordination in E.G.C. is that of the diaconate. Second-Degree initiates of O.T.O. who have been confirmed in E.G.C. can be ordained as Deacons, whose principal duties are to assist the Priesthood.		The first ordination in E.G.C. is that of the diaconate. Second Degree initiates of O.T.O. who have been confirmed in E.G.C. can be ordained as Deacons, whose principal duties are to assist the Priesthood.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=IAO131 \|date=2013-09-03 \|title=The Officers of the Gnostic Mass – pt.3: The Deacon, Children, & the Congregation \|url=https://iao131.com/2013/09/03/the-officers-of-the-gnostic-mass-pt-3-the-deacon-children-the-congregation/ \|access-date=2024-08-30 \|website=IAO131 \|language=en}}</ref>

	The sacerdotal ordination admits members to the priesthood. Sacerdotal ordinands must hold at least the K.E.W. degree of O.T.O., a degree only available by invitation. The Priesthood is responsible for administering the sacraments through the Gnostic Mass and other ceremonies as authorized by their supervising Bishops.		The sacerdotal ordination admits members to the priesthood. Sacerdotal ordinands must hold at least the K.E.W. degree of O.T.O., a degree only available by invitation. The Priesthood is responsible for administering the sacraments through the Gnostic Mass and other ceremonies as authorized by their supervising Bishops.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Sacrament of Priesthood — Sacraments of the Gnostic Church \|url=https://glorian.org/learn/courses-and-lectures/sacraments-of-the-gnostic-church/sacrament-of-priesthood \|access-date=2024-08-30 \|website=Glorian \|language=en-gb}}</ref>

	The Priesthood is supervised and instructed by the Episcopate, or Bishops. Full initiation to the Seventh Degree of O.T.O. includes episcopal consecration in E.G.C. The Tenth-Degree Supreme and Holy King serves as the Primate or chief Bishop for any country ~~in which~~ O.T.O. has organized a Grand Lodge. The Frater (Soror) Superior of O.T.O. is also the Patriarch (Matriarch) of the Church, with ultimate authority over the clergy.		The Priesthood is supervised and instructed by the ], or Bishops. Full initiation to the Seventh Degree of O.T.O. includes episcopal consecration in E.G.C. The Tenth Degree Supreme and Holy King serves as the Primate or chief Bishop for any country that O.T.O. has organized a Grand Lodge. The Frater (or Soror) Superior of O.T.O. is also the Patriarch (Matriarch) of the Church, with ultimate authority over the clergy.

	The similarity of the titles of the various E.G.C. offices and ranks reflects some common history with Christian churches. However, E.G.C. does not administer Christian sacraments, and has no Christian ecclesiastical standing.

	==Rituals==		==Rituals==
			The principal ritual of ''Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica'' is ], a Eucharistic ceremony written by ] in 1913. ] produced and authorized a German translation in 1918.

			The text of the Gnostic Mass makes reference to ceremonies of baptism, confirmation, and marriage. Crowley left some notes towards a baptism ritual, and his "''Liber CVI''" was written for use in a last rites circumstance. The Bishops of the contemporary Church have developed rituals for all of these purposes, as well as infant benedictions, consecration of holy oil, funerals, and home administration of the Eucharist to the sick.<ref>{{Cite web
	The principal ritual of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica is ], a Eucharistic ceremony written by ] in 1913. ] produced and authorized a German translation in 1918.
			\| last = Sabazius
			\| title = Rituals
			\| work = The Invisible Basilica
			\| access-date = 2011-07-19
			\| url = https://sabazius.oto-usa.org/rituals/
			}}</ref>

			Although some Gnostic Masses are held privately for initiates only, there is nothing 'secret' about E.G.C. rituals as such, and they are commonly open to the public.
	The text of the Gnostic Mass makes reference to ceremonies of baptism, confirmation, and marriage. Crowley left some notes towards a baptism ritual, and his "Liber CVI" was written for use in a last rites circumstance. The Bishops of the contemporary Church have developed rituals for all of these purposes, as well as infant benedictions, exorcisms, consecration of holy oil, funerals, and home administration of the Eucharist to the sick.

			==Saints==
	Although some Gnostic Masses are held privately for initiates only, there is nothing ''secret'' about E.G.C. rituals as such, and they are commonly open to the public.
			The Gnostic Saints of ''Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica'' are a series of historical and mythological figures revered in the religion of Thelema. They are found in the fifth Collect of Liber XV, titled "The Saints".

			Two Gnostic Saints have been officially added to the original list. ] was so recognized based on a discovered writing by Aleister Crowley which described him as such.<ref>Helena and Tau Apiryon . ''Ordo Templi Orientis'', 2004.</ref> ] was more recently added to the list.<ref>Sabazius. "From the Grand Master" in , p. 3. Ordo Templi Orientis, May 1, 2007.</ref>
	==Saints of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica==
	{{main\|Gnostic saints (Thelema)}}
	The Gnostic Saints of ] are a series of historical and mythological figures revered in the religion of ]. They are listed in Liber XV, also known as the ], which is the central rite of ] and its ecclesiastical arm, ]. They are found in the fifth Collect of Liber XV, titled "The Saints."

	In the ] and ] churches, a ] is a person who has been canonized (officially recognized) after his or her death. However, in the EGC, death is not necessarily a prerequisite for sainthood, since ] was certainly alive when he wrote Liber XV (he included himself twice, in fact). The Gnostic Saints are generally considered to be those who have embodied the essential principles of ] and formed a line of ] through the ages.

	Two Gnostic Saints have been officially added to the original list. ] was so recognized based on a discovered writing by Aleister Crowley which described him as such. ] was more recently added to the list. It is also considered appropriate to include the names of the deceased Outer Heads of the Order, ] and ].

	The entire Collect as it appears in Liber XV is included below. Those names in italics are commemorated in ordinary masses, whereas the entire list is intoned for a "celebratory mass," such as when it is performed in conjunction with a ].

	===Collect V: The Saints===

	"] of Life and Joy, that art the might of man, that art the essence of every true ] that is upon the surface of the ], continuing knowledge from generation unto generation, thou adored of us upon heaths and in woods, on mountains and in caves, openly in the marketplaces and secretly in the chambers of our houses, in temples of gold and ivory and marble as in these other temples of our bodies, we worthily commemorate them worthy that did of old adore thee and manifest thy glory unto men,

	'']'', '']'', ], '']'', ], '']'', '']'', '']'', ], '']'', ], ], ], ], ], '']'', '']'', ], ], ], '']'', ], '']'', ''], and many an holy bard;'' '']'', ], ], '']'', ], ], '']'', ''and ], that transmitted the Light of the Gnosis to us their successors and their heirs''; with ], ], ], ], and many another, prophet, priest and king, that bore the Lance and Cup, the Sword and Disk, against the Heathen; ''and these also,'' ] and his ], with ], ], ], '']'', '']'', ], ], ], '']'', ], ], ], ], ], ], '']'', ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], '']'', ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], '']'', '']'', and '']''

	—Oh Sons of the Lion and the Snake! With all thy saints we worthily commemorate them worthy that were and are and are to come.

	May their essence be here present, potent, puissant and paternal to perfect this feast!"

	==History==		==History==
			The ''Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica'' descended from a line of French Gnostic revival churches that developed in the 19th century. At that time, these Gnostic churches were essentially Christian in nature. In 1907, ], ] and Louis-Sophrone Fugairon founded their own, simply called the Gnostic Catholic Church. In 1908, they gave O.T.O. Grand Master Theodor Reuss episcopal consecration and primatial authority in their GCC. Later that year, Reuss incorporated the Gnostic Catholic Church into O.T.O. after the original founders renamed their own church to the Universal Gnostic Church.

			The name "''Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica''" was not applied to the church until Crowley wrote the Gnostic Mass in 1913, which Reuss proclaimed to be the church's official rite. This marked the first time an established church was to accept the Law of Thelema as its central doctrine. Reuss then announced a new title for himself: the "Sovereign Patriarch and Primate of the Gnostic Catholic Church".{{citation needed\|date=December 2015}}
	Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica descended from a line of French Gnostic revival churches that developed in the 19th century. At that time, these Gnostic churches were essentially Christian in nature. In 1907, ], ], and ] founded their own, simply called the Gnostic Catholic Church. In 1908, they gave O.T.O. Grand Master ] episcopal consecration and primatial authority in their GCC. Later that year, Reuss incorporated the Gnostic Catholic Church into O.T.O. after the original founders renamed their own church to the ].

			In 1979, Hymenaeus Alpha X° (]) separated ''Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica'' from ''Ordo Templi Orientis'', and made it into an independent organization, with himself at the head of both. During this period of separation ''Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica'' published its own quarterly magazine.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Ecclesia Gnostica: a bibliographical note \|url=http://thefaustusfiles.000.pe/EcclesiaGnostica.html \|access-date=2009-11-25}}</ref> However, in 1986, his successor, ], dissolved the separate Gnostic Catholic Church corporation and folded the church back into O.T.O. Since then the Church has expanded greatly, and in recent years several books and articles dealing with the E.G.C. and the Gnostic Mass have been published by its Clergy, notably by Tau Apiryon and Tau Helena,<ref>{{Cite book\| edition = 2nd\| publisher = Red Flame\| isbn = 0-9712376-1-1\| last = T Apiryon\|author2=Helena\| title = Mystery of Mystery: A Primer of Thelemic Ecclesiastical Gnosticism\| series = Red Flame\| date = 2001}}</ref> ] and Nancy Wasserman,<ref>{{Cite book\| edition = 2nd Revised
	The name "Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica" was not applied to the church until Crowley wrote the Gnostic Mass in 1913, which Reuss proclaimed to be the church's official rite. This marked the first time an established church was to accept the Law of Thelema as its central doctrine. Reuss then announced a new title for himself: the "Sovereign Patriarch and Primate of the Gnostic Catholic Church."
			\| publisher = Sekmet Books\| isbn = 978-0-9718870-3-9\| last = Wasserman\| first = James\|author2=Nancy Wasserman \|author3=Aleister Crowley\| title = To Perfect This Feast: The Gnostic Mass: Revised Second Edition\| date = 2010-03-31}}</ref> Rodney Orpheus, and Cathryn Orchard.<ref>{{Cite book\| publisher = Avalonia\| isbn =978-1-905297-34-4\| last = Huggens\| first = Kim\|author2=Sorita d'Este \|author3=Emily Carding \|author4=Rodney Orpheus \|author5=Cathryn Orchard\| title = From a Drop of Water - A Collection of Magickal Reflections on The Nature, Creatures, Uses and Symbolism of Water\| date = 2009-12-02}}</ref>

			==Gnostic Creed==
	In 1979, Hymenaeus Alpha X° (]) separated Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica from Ordo Templi Orientis, and made it into an independent organization, with himself at the head of both. However, in 1985, his successor, ], dissolved the separate Gnostic Catholic Church corporation and folded the church back into O.T.O.
			The ] of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica—also known as the '''Gnostic Creed'''—is recited in the Gnostic Mass, during the Ceremony of the Introit.

	==The ~~Gnostic~~ Creed==		The text of the Creed is as follows:

			{{poemquote\|
	A creed is a statement of belief—usually religious belief—or faith. The word derives from the Latin ''credo'' for "I believe". The creed of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica—also known as the '''Gnostic Creed'''—is recited in ], during the Ceremony of the Introit.
			I believe in one secret and ineffable LORD; and in one Star in the Company of Stars of whose fire we are created, and to which we shall return; and in one Father of Life, Mystery of Mystery, in His name ], the sole vicegerent of the Sun upon the Earth; and in one Air the nourisher of all that breathes.
			And I believe in one Earth, the Mother of us all, and in one Womb wherein all men are begotten, and wherein they shall rest, Mystery of Mystery, in Her name ].
			And I believe in the Serpent and the Lion, Mystery of Mystery, in His name ].
			And I believe in one Gnostic and Catholic Church of Light, Life, Love and Liberty, the Word of whose Law is THELEMA.
			And I believe in the communion of Saints.
			And, forasmuch as meat and drink are transmuted in us daily into spiritual substance, I believe in the Miracle of the Mass.
			And I confess one Baptism of Wisdom whereby we accomplish the Miracle of Incarnation.
			And I confess my life one, individual, and eternal that was, and is, and is to come.
			AUMGN. AUMGN. AUMGN.{{quote without source\|date=January 2024}} }}

			===Explication===
	The text of the Creed is as follows:
			The first six articles profess several beliefs by the congregants. The remaining two are confessions. The Creed ends with the Thelemic form of the Pranava, equivalent to the sacred Vedic syllable "]" or to the "]" of the ] tradition. On the basic form of the Creed, Tau Apiryon and Helena (1998) write:

			{{blockquote\|The first 4 clauses are attributed to the four letters of ] YHVH: the Father (Chaos); the Mother (Babalon); the Union of Father and Mother in the Son (Baphomet); and the Daughter, the Bride of the Son (the Church). The two following clauses describe the essential products of the Mass from the perspective of the congregation. The final two clauses are in the form of confession rather than belief and describe parallels between the occurrences in the Mass and the life of the individual.<ref>{{cite web \|author=Helena and Tau Apiryon \|title=The Creed of the Gnostic Catholic Church: an Examination \|url=https://sabazius.oto-usa.org/the-creed-of-the-gnostic-catholic-church-an-examination/ \|website=sabazius.oto-usa.org \|publisher=] USA \|date=1998}}</ref>}}
	::I believe in one secret and ineffable LORD; and in one Star in the Company of Stars of whose fire we are created, and to which we shall return; and in one Father of Life, Mystery of Mystery, in His name ], the sole viceregent of the Sun upon the Earth; and in one Air the nourisher of all that breathes.

	::And I believe in one Earth, the Mother of us all, and in one Womb wherein all men are begotten, and wherein they shall rest, Mystery of Mystery, in Her name ].

	::And I believe in the Serpent and the Lion, Mystery of Mystery, in His name ].

	::And I believe in one Gnostic and Catholic Church of Light, Life, Love and Liberty, the Word of whose Law is ].

	::And I believe in the communion of Saints.

	::And, forasmuch as meat and drink are transmuted in us daily into spiritual substance, I believe in the Miracle of the Mass.

	::And I confess one Baptism of Wisdom whereby we accomplish the Miracle of Incarnation.

	::And I confess my life one, individual, and eternal that was, and is, and is to come.

	::AUMGN. AUMGN. AUMGN.

	===Explication of the Creed===
	The first six articles profess several beliefs by the congregants. The remaining two are confessions. The Creed ends with the ] form of the Pranava, equivalent to the sacred Vedic syllable "]" or to the “]” of the ] tradition. On the basic form of the Creed, ] and Helena (1998) write:

	:The first 4 clauses are attributed to the four letters of ] YHVH: the Father (]); the Mother (]); the Union of Father and Mother in the Son (]); and the Daughter, the Bride of the Son (the Church). The two following clauses describe the essential products of the Mass from the perspective of the congregation. The final two clauses are in the form of confession rather than belief and describe parallels between the occurrences in the Mass and the life of the individual.

	The six articles of belief in the Creed can also be seen as corresponding with certain elements in the Gnostic Mass:

	*''The Lord:'' The Priest
	*''One Star:'' the ]
	*''Chaos:'' the Lance (of the Priest)
	*''Air:'' the Sword (of the Priestess)
	*''One Earth:'' the Paten
	*''One Womb:'' the Cup
	*''Babalon:'' the Priestess
	*''Baphomet:'' the ]
	*''The Church:'' the Congregation
	*''The Miracle:'' the consumption and ingestion of the Eucharist

	==See also==		==See also==
	*]		*]
			*]

	==Notes==		==Notes==
	{{~~reflist~~}}		{{Reflist}}

	==References==		==References==
	*Crowley, Aleister. .		*Crowley, Aleister. {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209211902/http://www.scarletwoman.org/docs/docs_mass.html \|date=2017-12-09 }}.
	*Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S. Grand Lodge (2004). . Retrieved ] ].		*Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S. Grand Lodge (2004). . Retrieved January 3, 2005.
	*Helena and Tau Apiryon. (1998). ''''. Retrieved ~~Sept~~. 20, ~~2004~~.		*Helena and Tau Apiryon. (1998). ''''. Retrieved Dec. 4, 2022.
	*Fr. HydraLVX. '''' by , appearing in ''Lion & Serpent: The Official Journal of Sekhet-Maat Lodge'' Volume 6, Number 2.		*Fr. HydraLVX. '''', appearing in ''Lion & Serpent: The Official Journal of Sekhet-Maat Lodge'' Volume 6, Number 2.
	*Thelemapedia (2005). . Retrieved ] ].		*Thelemapedia (2005). . Retrieved June 9, 2005.

	==External links==		==External links==
	*		*{{official website\|http://oto-usa.org/egc.html}}
	*
	*

			{{OTO}}
	]
			{{Thelema series}}
	]
			{{Authority control}}

			]
	]
			]
	]
	]

Latest revision as of 18:22, 9 November 2024

Religious organization based on ideas and systems of early Christian and Jewish mysticism For other Gnostic churches, see Gnostic church (disambiguation).

Part of a series on

Thelema

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Key figures

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Rose Edith Crowley Mary d'Este Sturges Jeanne Robert Foster Roddie Minor Marie Rohling Leah Hirsig Leila Waddell

Core concepts

Methods

Thelemic texts

Organizations

Deities

Places

Membership

Membership in Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica is similar to the Roman Catholic Church, with some important differences. As currently constituted, E.G.C. includes both clergy and laity. Clergy must be initiate members of O.T.O., while laity may affiliate to E.G.C. through baptism and confirmation without undertaking any of the degree initiations of the Order.

Novice clergy are initiate members who participate in the administration of E.G.C. sacraments, although they have not yet taken orders (i.e., been through a ceremony of ordination).

The first ordination in E.G.C. is that of the diaconate. Second Degree initiates of O.T.O. who have been confirmed in E.G.C. can be ordained as Deacons, whose principal duties are to assist the Priesthood.

The sacerdotal ordination admits members to the priesthood. Sacerdotal ordinands must hold at least the K.E.W. degree of O.T.O., a degree only available by invitation. The Priesthood is responsible for administering the sacraments through the Gnostic Mass and other ceremonies as authorized by their supervising Bishops.

The Priesthood is supervised and instructed by the Episcopate, or Bishops. Full initiation to the Seventh Degree of O.T.O. includes episcopal consecration in E.G.C. The Tenth Degree Supreme and Holy King serves as the Primate or chief Bishop for any country that O.T.O. has organized a Grand Lodge. The Frater (or Soror) Superior of O.T.O. is also the Patriarch (Matriarch) of the Church, with ultimate authority over the clergy.

Rituals

The principal ritual of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica is the Gnostic Mass, a Eucharistic ceremony written by Aleister Crowley in 1913. Theodor Reuss produced and authorized a German translation in 1918.

The text of the Gnostic Mass makes reference to ceremonies of baptism, confirmation, and marriage. Crowley left some notes towards a baptism ritual, and his "Liber CVI" was written for use in a last rites circumstance. The Bishops of the contemporary Church have developed rituals for all of these purposes, as well as infant benedictions, consecration of holy oil, funerals, and home administration of the Eucharist to the sick.

Although some Gnostic Masses are held privately for initiates only, there is nothing 'secret' about E.G.C. rituals as such, and they are commonly open to the public.

Saints

The Gnostic Saints of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica are a series of historical and mythological figures revered in the religion of Thelema. They are found in the fifth Collect of Liber XV, titled "The Saints".

Two Gnostic Saints have been officially added to the original list. William Blake was so recognized based on a discovered writing by Aleister Crowley which described him as such. Giordano Bruno was more recently added to the list.

History

The Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica descended from a line of French Gnostic revival churches that developed in the 19th century. At that time, these Gnostic churches were essentially Christian in nature. In 1907, Gerard Encausse, Jean Bricaud and Louis-Sophrone Fugairon founded their own, simply called the Gnostic Catholic Church. In 1908, they gave O.T.O. Grand Master Theodor Reuss episcopal consecration and primatial authority in their GCC. Later that year, Reuss incorporated the Gnostic Catholic Church into O.T.O. after the original founders renamed their own church to the Universal Gnostic Church.

The name "Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica" was not applied to the church until Crowley wrote the Gnostic Mass in 1913, which Reuss proclaimed to be the church's official rite. This marked the first time an established church was to accept the Law of Thelema as its central doctrine. Reuss then announced a new title for himself: the "Sovereign Patriarch and Primate of the Gnostic Catholic Church".

In 1979, Hymenaeus Alpha X° (Grady McMurtry) separated Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica from Ordo Templi Orientis, and made it into an independent organization, with himself at the head of both. During this period of separation Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica published its own quarterly magazine. However, in 1986, his successor, Hymenaeus Beta, dissolved the separate Gnostic Catholic Church corporation and folded the church back into O.T.O. Since then the Church has expanded greatly, and in recent years several books and articles dealing with the E.G.C. and the Gnostic Mass have been published by its Clergy, notably by Tau Apiryon and Tau Helena, James and Nancy Wasserman, Rodney Orpheus, and Cathryn Orchard.

Gnostic Creed

The creed of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica—also known as the Gnostic Creed—is recited in the Gnostic Mass, during the Ceremony of the Introit.

The text of the Creed is as follows:

I believe in one secret and ineffable LORD; and in one Star in the Company of Stars of whose fire we are created, and to which we shall return; and in one Father of Life, Mystery of Mystery, in His name CHAOS, the sole vicegerent of the Sun upon the Earth; and in one Air the nourisher of all that breathes.
And I believe in one Earth, the Mother of us all, and in one Womb wherein all men are begotten, and wherein they shall rest, Mystery of Mystery, in Her name BABALON.
And I believe in the Serpent and the Lion, Mystery of Mystery, in His name BAPHOMET.
And I believe in one Gnostic and Catholic Church of Light, Life, Love and Liberty, the Word of whose Law is THELEMA.
And I believe in the communion of Saints.
And, forasmuch as meat and drink are transmuted in us daily into spiritual substance, I believe in the Miracle of the Mass.
And I confess one Baptism of Wisdom whereby we accomplish the Miracle of Incarnation.
And I confess my life one, individual, and eternal that was, and is, and is to come.
AUMGN. AUMGN. AUMGN.

Explication

The first six articles profess several beliefs by the congregants. The remaining two are confessions. The Creed ends with the Thelemic form of the Pranava, equivalent to the sacred Vedic syllable "Aum" or to the "Amen" of the Judaeo-Christian tradition. On the basic form of the Creed, Tau Apiryon and Helena (1998) write:

The first 4 clauses are attributed to the four letters of Tetragrammaton YHVH: the Father (Chaos); the Mother (Babalon); the Union of Father and Mother in the Son (Baphomet); and the Daughter, the Bride of the Son (the Church). The two following clauses describe the essential products of the Mass from the perspective of the congregation. The final two clauses are in the form of confession rather than belief and describe parallels between the occurrences in the Mass and the life of the individual.

Notes

W. B. Crow quoted in T. Apiryon, Introduction to the Gnostic Mass.
King, Francis (1973). Secret Rituals of the O.T.O. New York: Samuel Weiser. ISBN 0-87728-144-0
"sabazius_x: Same-Sex Marriage". Archived from the original on 2009-12-26. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
Crowley, Aleister (1929). The Spirit of Solitude: an autohagiography: subsequently re-Antichristened The Confessions of Aleister Crowley. London: Mandrake Press.
"EGC". US Grand Lodge. October 23, 2012.
"EGC – Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica". William Blake O.T.O. 2017-10-03. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
IAO131 (2013-09-03). "The Officers of the Gnostic Mass – pt.3: The Deacon, Children, & the Congregation". IAO131. Retrieved 2024-08-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
"Sacrament of Priesthood — Sacraments of the Gnostic Church". Glorian. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
Sabazius. "Rituals". The Invisible Basilica. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
Helena and Tau Apiryon Liber XV: The Gnostic Mass (Ecclesiæ Gnostiæ Catholicæ Canon Missæ): With Annotations and Commentary by Helena and Tau Apiryon. Ordo Templi Orientis, 2004.
Sabazius. "From the Grand Master" in Agape, V. 9, No. 1, p. 3. Ordo Templi Orientis, May 1, 2007.
"Ecclesia Gnostica: a bibliographical note". Retrieved 2009-11-25.
T Apiryon; Helena (2001). Mystery of Mystery: A Primer of Thelemic Ecclesiastical Gnosticism. Red Flame (2nd ed.). Red Flame. ISBN 0-9712376-1-1.
Wasserman, James; Nancy Wasserman; Aleister Crowley (2010-03-31). To Perfect This Feast: The Gnostic Mass: Revised Second Edition (2nd Revised ed.). Sekmet Books. ISBN 978-0-9718870-3-9.
Huggens, Kim; Sorita d'Este; Emily Carding; Rodney Orpheus; Cathryn Orchard (2009-12-02). From a Drop of Water - A Collection of Magickal Reflections on The Nature, Creatures, Uses and Symbolism of Water. Avalonia. ISBN 978-1-905297-34-4.
Helena and Tau Apiryon (1998). "The Creed of the Gnostic Catholic Church: an Examination". sabazius.oto-usa.org. Ordo Templi Orientis USA.

References

Crowley, Aleister. Liber XV, The Gnostic Mass Archived 2017-12-09 at the Wayback Machine.
Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S. Grand Lodge (2004). Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica. Retrieved January 3, 2005.
Helena and Tau Apiryon. (1998). The Creed of the Gnostic Catholic Church: an Examination. Retrieved Dec. 4, 2022.
Fr. HydraLVX. The Gnostic Catholic Creed: Seeds of Self Knowledge, appearing in Lion & Serpent: The Official Journal of Sekhet-Maat Lodge Volume 6, Number 2.
Thelemapedia (2005). Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica. Retrieved June 9, 2005.

External links

Official website

v t e Ordo Templi Orientis
Ecclesiastical arm	Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica Thelema
Outer Heads and Caliphs	Carl Kellner (1895–1905) Theodor Reuss (1905–1923) interregnum (1923–1925) Aleister Crowley (1925–1947) Karl Germer (1947–1962) interregnum (1962–1969) Grady Louis McMurtry (1969–1985) William Breeze (1985–present)
Derivative	Society Ordo Templi Orientis (SOTO) Typhonian Order (TOTO)

v t e Thelema
Organizations	A∴A∴ Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica Fraternitas Saturni O∴A∴A∴ Open Source Order of the Golden Dawn Ordo Templi Orientis Society Ordo Templi Orientis Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn Typhonian Order
Personalities	List of Thelemites Ankh-af-na-khonsu Aleister Crowley Kenneth Anger Allan Bennett William Breeze Mary Butts Marjorie Cameron Lon Milo DuQuette Jeanne Robert Foster J. F. C. Fuller Karl Germer Kenneth Grant Lady Frieda Harris Leah Hirsig Christopher Hyatt Charles Stansfeld Jones George Cecil Jones Richard Kaczynski Rose Edith Kelly James Lees Grady Louis McMurtry Mogg Morgan Marcelo Ramos Motta Nema Andahadna Victor Neuburg Sara Northrup Jack Parsons Helen Parsons Smith Theodor Reuss C. F. Russell Phyllis Seckler Wilfred Talbot Smith Leila Waddell James Wasserman Sam Webster Jane Wolfe
Thelemic texts	Aleister Crowley bibliography The Book of Lies The Book of the Law (Liber AL vel Legis) The Book of Thoth Clouds without Water Collected Works Confessions The Diary of a Drug Fiend Eight Lectures on Yoga The Equinox The Blue Equinox The Equinox of the Gods The Holy Books of Thelema Konx Om Pax The Law is for All Liber 777 Liber Aleph Liber OZ Liber Resh Liber Trigrammaton Little Essays Toward Truth Magick (Book 4) Magick Without Tears Moonchild One Star in Sight The Stratagem and other Stories Thoth Tarot The Vision and the Voice White Stains
Concepts and ideas	93 Abyss Aeon Agape Astral projection Body of light English Qaballa Great Work Hermetic Qabalah Holy Guardian Angel Magical formula Night of Pan Stele of Revealing Stellar wisdom True Will
Magick	Abrahadabra Ceremonial magic Enochian magic Eroto-comatose lucidity Goetia Obeah and wanga Sex magic
Ceremony and ritual	Liber Resh Pentagram Ritual Bornless Ritual Gnostic Mass Rites of Eleusis
Godforms	Nuit Hadit Heru-ra-ha Aiwass Therion Babalon Chaos Ma'at Harpocrates
Symbolism	Number of the beast Pentagram Rose Cross Tree of Life Unicursal hexagram
Related topics	Abbey of Thelema Abramelin oil Agape Lodge Boleskine House Book of Abramelin Cake of Light Choronzon Dianism Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn IPSOS Magical alphabet Magical organization Solar deity Solar Lodge The Beast Whore of Babylon

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