If you’re looking for an Orthodox jurisdiction that has neither forsaken the ancient Faith nor is marching boldly into the modernism of the 21^st Century, please consider contacting us.  We welcome parishes, priests, clergy and dioceses into our fold.  Please read on to see if our expression of the Faith taught Always, Everywhere and By All makes sense to you, and to obtain a link to email SchemaBishop +Andreas, the presiding Bishop of our Autocephalous Jurisdiction.   Those things which are in Scripture, the Councils or the remainder of Sacred Tradition, as passed from Jesus to the Apostles must remain unaltered and unchanged. 

But the “traditions of men,” rather than the Sacred Tradition of God often stands in the way of a deep and committed relationship with our Lord and God and Savior.  Too many “Christians” are majoring in the minors as the world turns their back on us, and as persecution becomes more and more common, even in America. It is incumbent on us, as the leaders in the Faith, to insure that we are not “tying up heavy burdens (hard to bear) on the shoulders of others and not lifting one finger” ourselves to move them.  (Matthew 23:4)  We can be sure that our Lord will not judge us on how strictly we kept the Fast of St. Martin, or whether our beards were trimmed or untrimmed, but, rather on whether we have operated in Charity, Faithfulness, and works of corporal and spiritual Mercy.

Therefore, we permit a wide degree of Liturgical expression in the Parishes of our Jurisdiction.  Our belief is “Unity in the Faith, Diversity in the non-essentials, and in all things, Charity.” 

Always, Everywhere and By All

The Canon of St. Vincent is essential for an understanding of a vibrant and witnessing Church.  We must hold fast to the Traditions of the Apostles as expressed in Sacred Scripture, the 7 Ecumenical Councils, and the unbroken belief of the Church.  In all else, we must permit diversity of thought and opinion, a diversity of Liturgies, and a common sense approach to Pastoral Issues which is both solidly grounded in Sacred Tradition, but administered with Economia, deep Charity, and a willingness to refrain from false Judgment and Pride. 

The Bishop is NOT Infallible

If you have been ordained for more than a day, you’ve likely had a run-in with a Bishop or two.  Many leaders believe that their consecration gives them great power.  But this is not what Jesus taught!  Let’s take a look at how a bishop is supposed to behave.  From Matthew 20:25-27, (New RSV) “But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. ²⁶ It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; ²⁸ just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’”

Our Jurisdiction is “Sobornopravna.”  We are collegial in our outlook and operations.  We value the input and wisdom of our Bishops, Presbyters, Deacons, and Laity.  All of us are brighter than any of us.  And, as we read in Sacred Scripture, (Acts 15:4 ff) the clergy are to act together to serve the People of God…as servants, not masters.  We forget this to our great peril of soul — and to the extreme detriment of the Church of the Living God.

We Do Not Own Our Parishes (or Our Priests)

Each of our parishes and associated dioceses is, to some degree, autonomous.  The Archdiocese only owns Archdiocesan property, and not that of the parish, mission, monastery or diocese.  As is ancient Tradition, we retain the right to the Antiminsia assigned to the altars of our Jurisdiction.  But we make no other claims to parish property.  We do not claim the right to bind the consciences of our clergy (although we may choose to disfellowship with clergy who are in a state of persistent bad witness or contentiousness).  Our relationship is a spiritual one of Charity, Love mutual respect and mutual deferral, not one of command on one side and unquestioning submissive obedience on the other.

As is ancient Orthodox Tradition, spiritual obedience must be freely given, but never demanded.  Our respect for one another assures that we consistently operate in the Law of Love, not the Law of the Law (which our Lord fulfilled, and, thus freed us from forever).  It also assures that when we fall, as each of us will, that we seek one another’s forgiveness and reconciliation.

The Next Step

If our Jurisdiction sounds like a place where Charity and Common Sense abound, and these are your values, too, let’s open a conversation.  Please read our requirements for incardination below, and click on the link to send us an email.  May the Peace of the Risen Christ be with each of you.

Requirements for Incardination

Orthodox Clergy of Other Jurisdictions

·        If possible, a canonical release from current hierarchs (unless the whole jurisdiction is joining).

·        Proof of Ordination.  If such is not available you would be conditionally re-ordained.

·        A fingerprint Criminal Background Check through the FBI (obtainable easily at any police station or various other places, depending on state.)  (A conviction on some minor things will not necessarily disqualify you.  We are screening out sexual predators, child molesters and the like.)

·        If married, a statement from your wife.

·        If unmarried, a statement of intention to either marry or remain celibate and chaste.

·        Certificates of Baptism, Chrismation, Marriage, etc.

·        If divorce and remarried, a statement of the circumstances of the divorce.  (In some cases divorce and remarriage is not a barrier to acceptance.)

·        Academic Records.

·        If not from a recognized Orthodox Seminary, you may be asked to pass a verbal examination on your belief system.

·        Three confidential references.

·        You will normally be received at the level of service you now occupy, unless you either request differently, or there are very special circumstances.

·        If any of these things is unavailable or places an undue hardship on the candidate, certain items may be waived.  The Criminal Background Check cannot be waived for any reason whatsoever.

Male or Female Monastics of Orthodox, Anglican, Roman, Old Catholic, Lutheran, etc. 

Click here to contact our  Bishop in regards to entering or transferring to a monastic vocation in the Church. 

Episcopalian, Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal, etc. Ministers

·        Proof of Ordination if available.

·        A fingerprint Criminal Background Check through the FBI (obtainable easily at any police station or various other places, depending on state.)  (A conviction on many things will not necessarily disqualify you.  We are screening out sexual predators, child molesters and the like.)

·        If married, a statement from your wife.

·        If unmarried, a statement of intention to either marry or remain celibate and chaste.

·        Certificates of Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, etc.

·        If divorce and remarried, a statement of the circumstances of the divorce.  (In most cases divorce and remarriage is not a barrier to acceptance.)

·        Academic Records.

·        You will be asked to pass the written Canonical Examination, which is an open-book, essay oriented instrument, designed to allow the candidate to “read for orders.” 

·        For pastoral reasons (such as the continuation of an existing congregation) you may be ordained prior to passing the canonical exams, but would be required to pass the canonical exams to remain in the Jurisdiction.

·        You will be ordained to the station most closely matching the one you currently hold in your church, unless you request otherwise or there are circumstance which would preclude this.

·        Three confidential references.

·        If any of these things is unavailable or places an undue hardship on the candidate, certain items may be waived.  The Criminal Background Check cannot be waived for any reason whatsoever.

Parishes/Congregations

From Other Orthodox Jurisdictions:

·        Vote of the Parish, incardination of clergy (if any) and a letter from the governing board.

From Non-Orthodox Jurisdictions

·        Vote of the Parish, incardination of clergy (if any) and a letter from the governing board.

·        Orthodox Catechism classes (may be taught in conjunction with Sunday Services)

·        If necessary, Baptism, and Chrismation of the congregation as Orthodox.

For all parishes the following is requested:

·        Church Liability insurance, including professional liability on clergy.

·        Signature on a contract spelling out the autonomous nature of the parish and delineating obligations of both Diocese and parish.

·        FBI fingerprint Criminal Background checks or proof thereof on all volunteers and staff having any contact with children in any capacity.

·        Adoption of common-sense bylaws supplied by the Diocese providing for ways to deal with parish issues and spelling out autonomous nature of parish.

If you are still interested, click -> here
 

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