Who We Are

Vestiges of Christianity is a news blog maintained under the direction of Bishop Bryan D. Ouellette, Ph.D., SOSM. Our goal is to reconcile ancient Christian theology with contemporary orthodox Christian practices and understandings. Our praxis carries with it a strong eastern liturgical focus while maintaining a freedom of spirituality that is true to ancient Christian ideology. We welcome anyone who desires to discover gnosis through the expression of early Christianity. We use the word "gnosis" with the intention to reflect its original meaning of soteriological knowledge, mystical wisdom and spiritual realization. While we encourage a working philosophical comprehension of Classical Gnosticism from antiquity, we are not a Gnostic or reconstructionist church. Our theology is orthodox, our approach, furthermore, is mystically liberating.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Demonology Series: Possession or Mental Illness?


The Holy Nicholean Catholic Church receives on average 4-6 cases of potential demonic possession a month. Its parent ministry, The Order of Exorcists, receives hundreds of cases each year. Yet, only a very few of these cases will result in a confirmed possession after they are investigated. The rest are usually the result of some other kind of problem.

Today, Bishop Bryan Ouellette is joined, once again, by co-host Deacon Thomas Moreland to talk about the assessment protocols of the Order of Exorcists. How does an exorcist determine if a possession is real or merely a psychological disorder? Find out on this edition of Vestiges of Christianity. 

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Closed or Open Communion?

Today, Deacon Thomas Moreland joins us once again to discuss the issue of a closed communion with Bishop Bryan Ouellette. Mainstream Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox systems have stood by a long history of maintaining a closed communion, but in recent times, some leaders in the Roman Catholic Church have questioned the policy and would like to see Roman Catholics eventually offering the Eucharist to their protestant, non-Catholic Christian brethren. 

Should all Catholic Churches (Roman and Independent) move to adopt a tradition of open communion? What would Jesus do? This and more on the next new edition of Vestiges of Christianity.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Theological Contentions with Deacon Thomas Moreland: Election Results & the Seal of Confession

Segment 1

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

at 12:00PM EST

Today, on this special two-segment episode of Vestiges of Christianity, Bishop Bryan Ouellette welcomes Deacon Thomas Moreland to the show to discuss the results of the presidential election. It has certainly been one of the most controversial elections in U.S. history. How should the world respond now that the results are in?

During the second segment, they will discuss the controversial new Louisiana law that protects priests from being mandatory reporters for child abuse, thus protecting the sanctity of the Seal of Confession. They will talk in detail about the nature of the Seal of Confession and the Sacrament of Reconciliation in general. Should priests be manditory reporters? Why is the Seal of Confession such a big deal? Find out today!

You may also call into the show at 802-321-0073.

Segment 2



Thursday, October 27, 2016

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Understanding the Presidential Election from a Mature Christian Perspective


Today, Bishop Bryan Ouellette offers some insight into what a Christian's role should be regarding the upcoming, and very controversial, presidential election. He will look at the primary issues involved (abortion and health care) and discuss how Christians should approach them. He will also discuss what role prayer plays in this process, including how much God involves himself in the affairs of men.


Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Your Theological Questions Answered



On this new series of Vestiges of Christianity, Bishop Bryan Ouellette takes questions he receives from the audience through email/social media and answers them on the air. Using both a theological and mystical framework, Bishop Bryan provides compelling answers to your challenging inquiries. 

This edition will be be tackling the following two questions:

1. Will the Devil ever be completely destroyed?

2. Should Christian teenagers have boyfriends/girlfriends?

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Demystifying the Devil


Exorcist Bishop Bryan D. Ouellette of the Sacred Order of St. Michael the Archangel (Order of Exorcists) and Presiding Bishop of the autocephalous Holy Nicholean Catholic Church continues his previous lecture on Exorcism by breaking down the identity of Satan on a theological, mythological, and esoteric level. By building upon the mystical foundation of what he calls "archetypal patterns," Bishop Bryan will expose Satan for what he really is. Once the mask is off, will we discover Lucifer the Fallen Angel or ultimately come face to face with the darkness within ourselves?

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Do Angels Have Free Will?


After having discovered that some Roman Catholic institutions are teaching that angels are without free will and by request from the audience, Bishop Bryan sheds light on the subject of angels. What is an angel exactly? Do they share our ability to make decisions or are they bound so closely to the Will of God that they are without freedom? On this episode of Vestiges of Christianity, we will not only discuss what the conventional theology teaches us about this subject, but we will also take it further into a metaphysical explanation for what angels are in truth and in nature.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Theological Conundrums: Who is Satan? Part 3


On this final segment of this "Who is Satan" series, Bishop Bryan provides his final contention that ultimately answers this very question. We have seen how the conventional theology rectifies the many problems of Satan's fundamental identity. We have also explored the more enlightened esoteric/mystical considerations. Now we draft our response to the ancient question of Who Satan is and where he came from.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Theological Conundrums: Who is Satan? Part 2


Last time Bishop Bryan introduced you to the problematic translations that gave rise to both Jesus and Satan being referred to under the same Biblical reference (i.e., satan {Hebrew for accuser} lucifer {Latin for Morning Star/Light-bearer} with the lower cases intentional). On Part 2, he will discuss the theological, esoteric, and mystical implications of this seemingly benign issue of semantics. Is the traditional interpretation correct? Is this just a play on Satan wanting to be worshiped like God? Is it simply an awkward translation problem? Or is there something deeper at work that only a reference to Hindu emanations can clarify?  Find out!

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Theological Conundrums: Who is Satan?


Christians all over the world think they understand the concept of the devil. Modern theology seems to present a straightforward position on Satan, often represented as Lucifer, the fallen angel. Yet, few truly understand how the ancient Jewish world-view approached the concept of Satan. In fact, Orthodox Christian theology presents us with a disturbing notion, that Christ and Satan may very well be two sides of the same Divine emanation, not unlike the Hindu concept of Shiva and his consort Kali! Is this heresy? Or just an example of how little modern Christians understand about their own theology?

Prepare yourselves. Bishop Bryan is about to shake up your Christian paradigm forever. 

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Emanations of God: Understanding the Holy Trinity


Bishop Bryan discusses both the conventional and esoteric views on the nature of the Holy Trinity. Who is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? How do they relate to each other? Can Hinduism and Gnosticism shed some light on the nature of this Christian reality? Find out on this episode of Vestiges of Christianity.

Bishop Bryan D. Ouellette Talks about Exorcism on KAUG's Show: Dial W For Weird



If you missed Bishop Bryan's guest appearance on Dial W For Weird from April 28, 2016, you may listen to the archived show here:

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Intimacy With God


It is unfortunate that so many Christians equate salvation with eternal life, paradise in heaven, and an end to suffering, but fail to see salvation's true purpose, which is absolute intimacy with God. On this edition of Vestiges of Christianity, Bishop Bryan Ouellette will discuss what salvation really means. Is Eternal Life a reward for a life well-lived or is it merely a consequence of entering into a perfect union with God? 

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Exorcist Bishop Bryan D. Ouellette Appointed International Director of Clergy Recruitment for the Order of Exorcists

Archbishop Ron Feyl, SOSM, Presiding Bishop and Chief Exorcist of the Sacred Order of St. Michael the Archangel (Order of Exorcists) appointed Exorcist Bishop Bryan D. Ouellette, Ph.D., SOSM to International Director of Clergy Recruitment on March 26, 2016.

Moving forward, all clergy who are interested in joining the Order, so as to assist us with the great need that is apparent all over the world in fighting the forces of darkness, may now contact Bishop Bryan at his office within the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church serving the Atlanta, Georgia area. Please send your cover-letters and resumes to office@nicholean.org.

Note that it is recommended that applicants:

  • be at least 21 years of age
  • be in good physical and mental health
  • believe in the nature of good and evil as it is reflected within the Biblical theology of God and Satan, demons and angels
  • have a computer
  • have the written permission of their bishop
Membership in the order is $65 a year and is used to pay for the administrative costs involved in processing applications and cases. The Order of Exorcists never charges clients.

More information may be found at: http://orderofexorcists.com/membership/


Wednesday, March 23, 2016

The Resurrection of the Dead and the Life of the World to Come


Upon entering the Easter season, Bishop Bryan reflects upon the Resurrection of Jesus. How does the Resurrection of Christ impart its Grace into our mortal bodies so as to make it possible for us to enter into the New Heaven and the New Earth? Is this blessing accomplished immediately upon death for those saved in Christ or is it more complicated than that? Find out the esoteric answer to these questions and more on this edition of Vestiges of Christianity.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Colonial Ghosts Partnership

The Order of Exorcists (Atlanta Division), operating under the jurisdiction of the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church, would like to announce that Atlanta Paranormal & Demonic Investigation (the Atlanta Division's paranormal research team) has formed a social media partnership with Colonial Ghosts in Williamsburg, Virginia.

If you are ever in the Williamsburg area, please be sure to check them out. You may visit their webpage at: https://colonialghosts.com

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Are All Spiritual Paths Valid?


On this edition of Vestiges of Christianity, Bishop Bryan Ouellette breaks down the contemporary notion that one spiritual practice is just as good as another. Is there salvation outside of the Catholic Church? Do non-Christians go to heaven? What role do good works and spiritual knowledge play in relation to simple faith? Find out!

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Culpability and Sin



On this installment of Vestiges of Christianity, Bishop Bryan Ouellette engages the esoteric side of the nature of sin. Continuing his thoughts from last week, he will discuss how we can best avoid falling into the trap of sin. If things like self-defense, even to protect a greater good, remain as sinful actions, how can one protect oneself against the dangers inherent in always "turning the other cheek?" And what of culpability? How can we be guilty of sin and yet exempt from its consequences under certain conditions? Find out on this edition of Vestiges of Christianity. 

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Institutional Sin


This week on Vestiges of Christianity, Bishop Bryan Ouellette introduces the topic of "institutional sin." It is the sin that results from necessity by the lack of virtue existent within the fallen world. The example of killing in war and self-defense is utilized as the initial point through which this difficult subject is mastered and thus understood. 

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit

Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." But just who are the poor in spirit and what is the essence of Christian poverty? From the solemn to simple vows of religious and monastic life, to the deeper philosophical meaning behind all spiritual exercises in non-attachment, Bishop Bryan Ouellette discuses what sort of poverty all Christians are commanded to maintain. Is material wealth evil? Find out on this brand new episode of Vestiges of Christianity.

Correction from Bishop Bryan: I had the Himalayan mountains on my mind, as I had just finished reading a story about some Buddhist monks. In my absentmindedness, I accidentally said I was coming to you live from the Himalayan mountains when I should have said Appalachian. My apologies for any confusion, but no, I have not yet set out to the life of a Buddhist hermit. ;-)

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Exorcism: Christianity's Dark Rite

Exorcist Bishop Bryan D. Ouellette of the Sacred Order of St. Michael the Archangel (Order of Exorcists) and Presiding Bishop of the autocephalous Holy Nicholean Catholic Church presents on the topic of exorcism ministry. Learn the insider's truth about the nature of demonic possession and how the Church deals with authentic cases of demonic infestation. A question and answer session follows at the end of the lecture which includes a discussion involving deep esoteric and metaphysical mystical truths.