A TUTORIAL FOR CLERGY WANTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE ANGLICAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA ~ THE ANGLICAN RITE METROPOLIA OF THE UKRAINIAN AUTOCEPHALOUS ORTHODOX CHURCH ~ AOC ~ THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF AMERICA AND DEPENDENCIES

The Content herein is based on Inquires received over many Years concerning our Position on a Variety of Matters coming from those who Contacted us in the past and presently. The First Questions are Invariably About The Historic Episcopate and Unity in the Body of Christ. Many Clergy want to know what to expect from those who serve within our ANGLICAN RITE METROPOLIA? These and other concerns are addressed as we Hallmark our SARUM-CORINTHIAN RITE ~ MATER ORTHODOXA ECCLESIA ANGLICANA PATRIMONY. (In Layman’s terms we are BOOK OF ACTS-ORTHODOX CATHOLIC CHRISTIANS WHO WORSHIP USING THE ANGLICAN RITE.) Visitors to this Website will come away after visiting these pages with a Crystal Clear Rendering of our Brand of Churchmanship. A good Reading will give anyone an Unequivocal Understanding of our Approach to the Things of Christ and the Standards we have set (and hold ourselves accountable) to Serve His Church Decently and in Order. We will engage with Clergy of whatever level or standing on any matter relating to Theology/Religion. This can be accomplished face to face, via email, telephone or USPS if anyone still uses that venue these days. We Pledge to treat you with the Respect you Deserve in Christ. All we ask is that you Reciprocate. We invite all sincere Brethren in Christ to “COME AND LET US REASON TOGETHER.”

THE HISTORIC EPISCOPATE ~ APOSTOLIC FAITH AND ORDER IN SCRIPTURE & TRADITION 

“Let us Reduce this Matter to the Ridiculous.”  Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father & Philosopher 

IN THE SPIRIT OF A WISE AND WELL RESPECTED FOUNDING FATHER OF AMERICA, LET US GET TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER. THE ESSENCE AND SOLE INTENT OF THE  APOSTOLIC  ~ BOOK OF ACTS ~ TRADITIONAL ~ HISTORIC EPISCOPATE ~ IS MINISTRY AND THE FATHERLY OVERSIGHT OF THE SOULS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST SHED HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD TO REDEEM.   IT WAS NEVER THE  TEACHING OF THE UNDIVIDED HOLY ORTHODOX CATHOLIC CHURCH FOR HER BISHOPS TO COLLECT APOSTOLIC PEDIGREE’S OR TO PROMOTE ECCLESIASTICAL ANCESTRIES THROUGH MULTIPLE CONSECRATIONS. IF IT WERE? THERE WOULD BE A RECORD OF THE 12 APOSTLES HAVING ENGAGED IN SUCH ACTIVITY. IT WOULD CLEARLY HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN THE WRITINGS OF THE CHURCH FATHERS OF ANTIQUITY. ACCORDINGLY NO SUCH WRITINGS EXIST. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE DECREES OF THE SEVEN ECUMENICAL COUNCILS REGARDING THE COLLECTING OF EPISCOPAL PEDIGREES. WE CANNOT ADD ANYTHING FURTHER TO OVERSTATE THE OBVIOUS CONCLUSION CONCERNING THIS ABRASION AND DISTORTION OF HOLY ORDERS.

“THAT THEY ALL MIGHT BE ONE” ~ FULL ECCLESIASTICAL CONCORD & UNION WITHIN UNIVERSAL CHURCH

WE ACKNOWLEDGE, HONOR, AND EMBRACE THOSE WHO ARE SINCERE IN THEIR APPROACH TO CHURCH UNION AND WE INCLUDE THOSE OF THE PROTESTANT TRADITION FOR OUR PURPOSE HERE. ANY ATTEMPT TO IGNORE OUR DIFFERENCES AS TO A REMEDY WOULD BE DISINGENUOUS. THERE HAS BEEN DIVISION AMONG CHRISTIANS GOING BACK TO THE AGE OF THE APOSTLES. IN ADDITION THERE WAS THE GREAT SCHISM OF 1054 AND THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION OF THE 16TH CENTURY. FOR SEPARATED BRETHREN TO ENGAGE IN A DEBATE CONSISTING OF POLEMICAL DIATRIBE ON ANY RELIGIOUS ISSUE AND MOST ESPECIALLY ON THE WILL OF CHRIST AS HE EXPRESSED HIMSELF IN ST. JOHN 17 WOULD BE AN EXERCISE IN FUTILITY. MORE IMPORTANTLY WHAT ELSE IS THERE FOR US TO SAY ON THE MATTER OTHER THAN “THY WILL BE DONE?” WE KNOW OF NO SANE CLERGYMAN WHO DOES NOT DESIRE FULL ORGANIC UNION OF THE CHURCH. HEREIN LIES THE FRUSTRATION. THEOLOGIANS OF EVERY CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION HAVE WRITTEN LIBRARIES FULL OF WELL RESEARCHED BOOKS EXPLAINING THE VAST DIFFERENCES AMONG OUR BELIEF SYSTEMS (SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY). IT IS CLEAR NONE OF US ARE GOING AWAY ANYTIME SOON. LET US AGREE TO DISAGREE AND ATTEMPT TO SHOW THE WORLD A UNITED WITNESS FOR CHRIST AND HOLY MOTHER CHURCH WHENEVER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES MAKE THIS POSSIBLE. A GOOD PLACE TO START WOULD BE A JOINT STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE GENOCIDE PERPETRATED ON THE CITIZENS OF THE SOVEREIGN NATION OF THE UKRAINE BY VLADIMIR PUTIN. “IT IS GOOD FOR THE BRETHREN TO LIVE PEACEABLY TOGETHER.” AT THE PAROCHIAL LEVEL CLERGY CAN JOIN LOCAL MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATIONS (WITH CLERGY OF DIFFERENT FAITH BASED GROUPS) AS A WITNESS IN A UNITED CAUSE FOR OUR BLESSED SAVIOR. IT IS INCUMBENT FOR US TO SEEK WHAT UNITES US WITH OTHER GROUPS OF CHRISTIANS AND TO SET ASIDE WHAT DOES NOT FOR THE GREATER GLORY OF THE KINGDOM. NEVER SHOULD WE MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS IN THE NAME OF CHRIST. WE PLEDGE TO DO OUR PART TO LIVE OUT THIS DIRECTIVE FROM ON HIGH IN OUR DAILY CHRISTIAN JOURNEY AMONG ALL MEN AND WOMEN OF GOOD WILL. WE INVITE ALL MEN OF THE CLOTH TO JOIN WITH US IN THIS HOLY SPIRIT LED CHRISTOCENTRIC ENDEAVOR.

THE ORDER OF CHRIST OUR MOST HOLY REDEEMER & HEAVENLY KING

The Order of Christ the King is a means our Anglican Rite Metropolia employs to engage with Christians from other Denominations. It has been an excellent Vessel to bring those from a variety of Faith-based Groups together in Prayer, Worship and Christian Service. It is a grassroots Christian Religious Order open to Men and Woman who are both Laity and Ordained Clergy. It is the oldest Inter-Jurisdictional Religious Order in the History of the Church. Our Organizers had at the core of the Ordo-Mission, that in coming together as Christians under the banner of CHRIST OUR MOST HOLY REDEEMER AND KING ~ He becomes the focal point of our UNITY ~ and all else is laid to rest as we UNITE UNDER HIS SUPREME REIGN AS EQUAL LOVING SUBJECTS. We offer our Order Members who qualify Certification as Chaplains to assist them in Service to their Communities. We direct you to the Order of Christ the King (Page) on this website for complete information about this Venerable Ecumenical-Orthodox- Catholic call to Mission and Unity.

What and Who We Are Not

We have absolutely no Connection whatsoever to groups aligning themselves with the (ISM) Independent Sacramental Movement.  Neither do we have anything to to with with any Religious Organization who use who use the post nominals OCR after the names of their adherents.  Our OCR is the Order of Christ the King established at Leeds, England in 1900 A.D.  

The Comportment Of Clergy in the Exercise of Public Ministry

Our Clergy no matter at what level are expected to have an active form of Ministry that touches the lives of people in a personal manner.  A form of Liturgia-Service to Christ’s Redeemed is required.  Visiting your grandmother in a Nursing Home does not qualify as a Chaplaincy.   Volunteering your time to serve the poor in a Soup Kitchen is noble work.  However, it does NOT require Episcopal Consecration or wearing a Purple Shirt and Pectoral Cross.  Celebrating a Communion Liturgy for ones personal spiritual edification ~ on a Coffee or Kitchen Table ~ (Minus any other form of Priestly Ministry) does qualify as Parish status in the Anglican Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of America – Anglican Rite Metropolia.   

There are sincere, dedicated, hard working and active Clergy who lead hands on Ministries that touch the hearts, minds and souls of their members on a one to one personal basis every day.  Many of these Men use various forms of Social Media to support, solidify and strengthen their local Parochial Ministries and Chaplaincy’s.  We have no objection to using such venues in a supplemental manner out of practical necessity.  However, “RUNNING THE CHURCH” BY USING A COMPUTER WHILE LOGGED ONTO ANY FORM OF SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT considered a recognized method for the exercise of Ministry in the Anglican Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of America ~ Anglican Rite Metropolia.

IN ALL THINGS APPERTAINING TO PUBLIC WORSHIP ~ THE HOLY EUCHARIST ~ NON EUCHARISTIC SERVICES ~ THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS ~ WE WILL BE FAITHFUL TO OUR SARUM – CORINTHIAN RITE USE

Altar Appointments and Vestments

We require our Priest’s and Bishop’s to have properly Appointed places to conduct all Services of Worship Decently and in Order.  A Holy Table or Altar, Traditional Altar Appointments including a Crucifix/Cross & Candle-holders, Tabernacle with a Lock, Sacred Communion Vessels, Altar Cloth’s ~ Communion Linens and an approved Altar Book with a Missal Stand.  Complete Sets of Traditional Eucharistic Vestments with Chasuble, Stole, Maniple, Chalice Veil and Burse must be used by the Minister in Charge during the Celebration of the Divine Liturgy ~ Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  Under this Vesture of Olde will be worn the Alb, Amice and Cincture.  There are no Rubrics in the Olde Sarun- Corinthian Rite & Ceremonial which prescribe the wearing of an Alb and Stole alone to Conduct any form of Public Worship.  This is purely a Roman Catholic Novus Ordo Innovation.  We do not permit such modernistic practices among our Clergy.

“All Glory Be To Thee Almighty God Our Heavenly Father”

The Liturgical Colors 

The Colors of White, Blue, Red, Green, Purple and Black in keeping with the Sarum Rite Olde English Ordo are proscribed and the norm.  The Olde English Rubrics of the Salisbury Cathedral and Common Usage of the Centuries make the following allowances as noted.  Gold may be substituted in place of White.  Silver or Blue may be used in Feasts of the Holy Mother Mary instead of White.  Rose or Blue are permitted be worn on the two Sundays prescribed by the Rubrics instead of Purple.  In Advent we encourage the use of Blue as was the Ancient Usage of Salisbury, Wells and Hereford rather than Purple.  The use of Blue in in lieu of Purple during Advent is at the discretion of the Minister in Charge according to the established local Parochial Custom. 

PROPER VESTMENTS TO BE WORN WHEN CELEBRATING A PARTICULAR APPROVED LITURGICAL USE NOT NOTED IN THE ABOVE DIRECTIVES

The Low Mass ~ Holy Communion Service

When Celebrating the Low Mass ~ Holy Communion Service from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer; a Cassock, Surplice and Stole of the color of the day with a Chalice Veil and Burse are  Proper, Fitting and a Centuries Olde Custom in lieu of the Chasuble.   A White Chalice Veil and Burse are always appropriate for Altar Service irrespective of the prescribed Color of the Day or Eucharist Celebrated.  If the 1549 English Sarum  Book of Common Prayer is used the Rubrics direct the Celebrant to wear a Cope or Vestment which According to Established Custom is a Chasuble.

The Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Book of Common Prayer

When celebrating the Holy Eucharist using the Orthodox Book of Common Prayer (2002 ed.) the Rubrics concerning Vestments as set forth in the Sarum Corinthian Rite of the Salisbury Cathedral are followed.

(A Complete List of Approved Service Books & Directives are Given Below)

“Come Let Us Reason Together”

Understanding, Consideration in Christ, Common Sense and Financial Limitations Demand that all Clergy making Inquiry be Treated as Individuals.  We realize there are Dedicated, Properly Educated, Good, Sincere and Qualified Men who for a Variety of Reasons might not have all that is Necessary to Conduct Public Ministry as is Required.  Accordingly, we will develop a Mutually Agreed upon Plan with all Clergy that is Reasonable in Duration and not Financially Burdensome to Procure whatever is lacking that all Ministry be done Decently and in Order.

Buildings Appropriate for Public Worship

The is no substitute for a Consecrated or Dedicated Church Edifice wherein to conduct Public Worship.  In lieu of a Church Building or free standing Chapel, commercial space in a Building which can be properly Appointed and fitted to meet the needs of a Mission Parish is also desirable.  If the circumstances or situation do not make this an option, there is the Domestic Oratory.  There are many sincere Priest’s and Bishop’s who have with great care, expense and planning in concert with their wives utilized a room in their residence made to be proper and fitting for Worship.  It must be set apart and not used as any other form of domestic living space.  It will be located in an area of the dwelling that is conducive for such a Holy and Noble purpose.  Irrespective of the building or space used for this Holy Service no corners will cut or reasonable expense spared.  This that all Services Celebrated therein will be conducted with Dignity and strict adherence to the Rubrics as directed.

Approved Service Books 

Innovations, Whimsical Fabrications and Patchwork Concoctions by self appointed Liturgical Commissions of One and the use of Liturgies other than those rooted in the Sarum-Corinthian Rite of Salisbury are not allowed to be Celebrated at our Altar’s.  Neither is the Novus Ordo practice of facing the congregation.  If we are to be True to our Olde English Liturgical Patrimony it stands to reason that we Honor her Glorious and Dignified Ceremonial & Ritus at Public Worship in our Liturgical Use. Presently those Service Books approved for the Divine Liturgy ~ Holy Communion are the 1549 English Sarum Book of Common Prayer, the 1928 American Book of Common Prayer (BCP), An Orthodox Book of Common Prayer (2002 ed.), the Anglican Missal, the American Missal (1931 & 1951 ed.) and the Sarum Rite Altar Missal (sometimes bearing the title of “Steps to the Altar”) made to conform to local Parochial Use and edited by P.G. Medd+.  THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS IN THE AMERICAN MISSAL IS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. TIKHON. If the ANGLICAN MISSAL is used for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass ~ The Divine Liturgy it MUST be with the AMERICAN CANON ~ LITURGY OF ST. TIKHON.

Concerning the Use of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer (BCP)

The Holy Communion Service in the 1928 American Book of Common Prayer is a Dignified, Revered and simplified version of the American Missal ~ Divine Liturgy of St. Tikhon. It can be used according to Local Parochial Custom for the Western Rite Celebration of Low Mass. Since many of our Members (Laity & Clergy) are often converts from various Canterbury Traditions; (i.e The Protestant Episcopal Church now ECUSA or Continuing Anglicanism) it makes the Transition of Worshiping at our Altars a Welcomed Blessing. The Prayer Book Communion Service is often Celebrated for Parochial Visitations in Homes, Hospital Visits and when a Priest or Bishop is traveling. If Catechism’s or Articles of Religion are attached to the 1928 BCP they must be removed or the pages secured in such a fashion as they cannot be accessed by the Faithful. The 1928 Prayer Book is used STRICTLY for the Holy Communion Service, The Penitential Service, Morning & Evening Prayer and Private Devotions.

   As stated above, it goes completely contrary to the Custom of the Centuries to allow individual Bishops to make changes of Ceremonial or Ritus in a unilateral manner.  This includes updating the Words of the Traditional Rites to conform to modern day linguistic usage.  Our Eastern Orthodox brethren are proof positive that strict adherence to the Ancient Liturgies stand the test of time.  This was also true of the Canterbury Communion until her liberal Theological Views (in the 1970’s) necessitated that she update and modernize her Prayer Books.

The Church Ordo ~ Calendar  

The Church ORDO irrespective of which Altar Book is employed must be in strict conformity to reflect the (teaching) Commemorations of the Undivided Universal Church prior to the Schism of 1054.  As was stated elsewhere our measure of reason in matters of Faith and Worship is “if it is not broke, why attempt to fix it?”

WE END THIS TUTORIAL AS WE BEGAN IT

“Let us Reduce This Matter the Ridiculous.”  Benjamin Franklin

We welcome all Clergy who are seeking to establish any form of recognized and needed Ministry to Christ’s Flock.  We by no means limit our Clergy to Parish Work.  And we will do all within our means to assist serious Churchman in fulfilling this task.  We have found far too many who seek to do otherwise that they might wear clerical attire and do nothing more than look for the recognition that goes with it.  Without a single exception throughout the decades the Bishops of the Order of Christ the King and the Anglican Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of America have had active Ministries.  For over a Century our Bishops have led by example in this regard.  We ask nothing of our Clergy that our Bishops  do not fully take on themselves.

WE CANNOT OVERSTATE HOW FAR REMOVED THE ANGLICAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA ~ ANGLICAN RITE METROPOLIA  IS FROM THE (ISM) INDEPENDENT SACRAMENTAL MOVEMENT AND OR ANY RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS USING THE DESIGNATION OF OCR.  That is, other than our  historic Order of Christ the King OCR established at Leeds, England on the Feast of Christ the King in 1900 A.D.  We are the first Religious Society to use the post nominals OCR following the Names of our Members.

 LOCAL CUSTOM CONCERNING TITLES & FORMS OF ADDRESS ~ HONOR & RESPECT MUST BE ACCORDED TO THOSE WHOM THE ALL GOOD & LIFE GIVING HOLY SPIRIT HAS APPOINTED AS OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS

“THOU ONLY ART HOLY ~ THOU ONLY ART THE LORD”

Titles such as Pope, Exarch, Patriarch, Cardinal, Pontiff and Universal Primate have no place among us.  It is our considered opinion that forms of address as “Your Holiness” , “Your Beatitude” and “Worshipful” are audacious and repugnant to Holy Scripture being highly disrespectful to the place Almighty God has above His Creation.   There are those who use such Titles and Designations and are comfortable using them.  We Fully accept and concur the use of Ecclesiastical Forms of Address-Titles to fall under the guidelines of the Pauline Privilege of “Liberty of Conscience.” We have a Local Parochial Use and Custom when it comes to Ecclesiastical Titles and hold fast to it. ( In lieu of addressing our Primate as “His Beatitude” we gave him our due respect, honor and allegiance and address him as “OUR GOD APPOINTED PRIMATE HIS EXCELLENCY” All other Clergy in Episcopal Orders will be addressed as Your Excellency or Father-Bishop according to their own preference.) Here we must agree to understand and mutually respect the non-essential nature of this divergence in Custom.  We maintain there is no greater or more noble and undeserved title as Father the Church bestows upon those men Ordained to the Sacred Ministry.  Only “I AM THAT I AM” is Holy and only our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (when He walked among us) has ever Lived out the Beatitudes to Perfection.  The “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” alone is worthy of our Worship and Adoration.  Him only do we “Worship in Spirit and in Truth” as we are Commanded and Admonished in St. John 4:24.

HERE WE STAND IN BLACK AND WHITE WITH NO SHADES OF GRAY

In Matters of Doctrine, Church Polity, Public Worship, Traditional Biblical Morals, Family Values, Human Sexuality, Administration of the Sacraments, the Historic Episcopate, a Sacramental Male Priesthood, Educated & Dedicated Sacred Ministers at all Levels, Established Parochial Custom, Respect for Law Enforcement, Admiration for those Men & Woman Serving in the Military and Loyalty to Our Nations Founding Principles We Remain Staunch and Stalwart.  With No Apologies ~  No Concessions ~ No Controversy and No Compromise.

“PRO DEO ET HUMANITATE”

THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF AMERICA AND DEPENDENCIES