The Homeless and the Church

Dear Friends,

As most of you are aware, the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church, the Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church, and the Holy Monastic Order En Deus ceased all formal operations late last year as it became impossible to administrate an international network of churches without vital and consistent levels of financial support. During this crisis, we had to leave the central hermitage and essentially nullified all ministerial certifications issued. Additionally, I attempted to step down from the Office of the Patriarchate and return to secular life for the good of my family and health. Neither course of action, however, was very successful. My request to resign was rejected by the governing body and despite reducing the activity of the Churches down to one liturgy a week in the private chapel at my place of residence, the Churches continue to attract a great deal of attention. Some of these individuals are looking for what we have seen in the past. Many desire justification of their egos through the accumulation of titles or the authority of ordination without the slightest desire to commit to the lifetime responsibility of serving the churches that acknowledged their vocations. In fact, my attempt to step away from the Episcopacy was in direct response to my inability to trust the intentions of so many of my candidates. Again, without the resources to run extensive international background checks and require long-term discernment programs, our Churches were left at the mercy of far too many self-serving charlatans. In the end, the doors had to be closed in an effort to stop this reprehensible cycle.

In the interest of hope, I did permit the Church websites to remain active as long as they contained minimal content and explained that we would no longer be taking applications for the priesthood. I wanted this last point to be unmistakably clear. No matter what the future of these Churches would be, I wanted it known that I would not allow these Churches to become religious institutions with miles of clergy and no congregations to serve.

Many months have past in that time and while I am no longer burdened with stacks of worthless applications for the priesthood, I have noticed that there are still genuine people reaching out, looking for some of what we used to offer. It is my wish that I could continue to serve them. This is why, after all, I accepted Holy Orders in the first place. Yet, the funding issue looms over these Churches like a bad stench that never goes away. I simply cannot return to financing most of these operations out of my own pocket. If my health were better, I would perhaps feel differently, but as it stands now, I know I am making the only decision that can be made. One would think such a realization would be sufficient, however the Will of God often manifests itself against our expectations and as Bishops, we have little choice in the matter but to respond to His call. Never has this been more evident than last night when I took my wife out to celebrate our eleventh anniversary.

We went to a fine restaurant downtown. We drank a 13 year old Amarone that had been sitting in our cellar for over half that time. We dined on suckling pig and roasted lamb, cooked to perfection over an open wood-burning fire pit. The dinner was prepared in four courses. We gave the maître d' a taste of our very special wine and he reciprocated by sharing several tastings of an equally special wine on the house. In fact, much of this meal was "on the house" as we are members of a VIP dining club that sends us gift cards from time to time. Everything was absolutely perfect. At least until we walked outside to collect our car from the valet.

Immediately upon existing the restaurant, we were met with numerous requests for money by Atlanta’s shameful and excessive homeless population. I explained to them that I did not have any cash on me (I often do not carry money) and proceeded to walk away. Another man pleaded with me, literally begging for something to eat, explaining that he hasn’t eaten in days and that he was hungry. As I reflected upon myself, feeling my own stomach filled with some of the finest food and wine on this planet, I could not help but take pity on such a disgraceful display of desperation. It was disgraceful, not to the extent that this poor man had to beg me for something to eat, but a disgrace that a city like Atlanta, with so much internal wealth, does so little to help these souls. It did not take me long to realize what must be done. I told the man to gather his friends and to meet me at the gas station across the street. I then proceeded to liquidate the remaining funds in the Church bank accounts and purchased as many quality food items that I could with those monies. When I gave them the food I purchased for them, it was like a frenzy of birds, pushing each other out of the way to get that next bite of bread. In this moment, man was reduced to animal and it was sad.

By and through this experience, I am changing the Church dynamic. We still receive donations (albeit very small and infrequent) into the Church accounts for prayer requests and Masses said for special intentions. I am no longer going to hold this money for some undetermined point in the future when the Churches resume ordinary operation. I am, therefore, going to take this money, and place the sum total of it toward feeding the homeless. I will visit downtown Atlanta as many times as it takes to give away everything I can buy and will personally hand out what I can to the people I can find on the street. In light of this, I am asking you, all of you, to please consider donating regularly to the Church as this is now its new mission and will remain so from this point forward. It’s easy to give, just visit nicholean.org and click on the donation button on the menu bar.

Church is about service, not the glories of an acquired priesthood. It’s about time my Churches actually do something of value. Perhaps this is a start.

Sincerely in Christ,

+Bryan D. Ouellette, Ph.D.
Patriarch Nicholas III
Holy Nicholean Catholic Church
Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church
Holy Monastic Order En Deus

Special Announcement: The Future of Nicholean Catholicism

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In this very important special annoucment, Bishop Bryan D. Ouellette issues a report about the future of the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church, the status of the Patriarchate, and the ultimate outcome of the Church's restructuring.

New Church Restructuring Announced

The Patriarchate of the Holy Nicholean Catholic and Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church is announcing a complete restructuring of the Church dynamic effective immediately. As of today, all ministers, deacons, and priests, whether in active or inactive status must reapply to the new foundation ministry organized to bridge the gap between both the external and internal ministerial authority. Any minister, deacon, and/or priest who received ordination under the authority of the Holy Nicholean Catholic and/or Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church and fails to reapply to the new ministerial authority by September 30, 2012, for renewal of their ministerial license, will be automatically laicized with all of the rights and privileges of their current Orders revoked. All ministers must reapply by submitting in writing a request for a new license at office@nicholean.org. Reapplication will require a mandatory training program before reception of a new license to practice is issued. All current licenses for active ministry are now in a state of complete suspension. Any minister, deacon, and/or priest deciding not to reapply and found operating an active ministry independent of the Churches will be declared a schismatic operation and found to be illicit and invalid on the basis of failing to follow proper excardination procedures. As with all motions associated with the new restructuring of the Church, there will be no exceptions to these actions.

It is distressing to the Patriarch that he has been forced into declaring this action, but such is the state of things within the Independent Sacramental Movement, and to some extent, within the greater conventional Church as well. This new structure is designed to strengthen the Church by reeducating its ministers with new and better understandings of Sacramental theology.

If you wish to determine the active ministerial status of any minister, deacon, priest, and/or bishop operating under the Sacramental authority of Patriarch Nicholas III, whether it be within union or outside of the union of our Churches, please contact our chancery office at office@nicholean.org or call 207-370-9077.

New Vocational Policy

Effective immediately and by order of Patriarch Nicholas III in mundo +Bryan D. Ouellette, Ph.D., the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church, the Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church, and the Holy Monastic Order En Deus will no longer accept applications for Holy Orders. Vocations to priesthood, including all minor and major orders will be granted by direct invitation of Patriarch Nicholas III himself. Candidates will be hand selected only from active members of the local congregation in the Atlanta, Georgia area. In order to secure against the frequent and relentless abuses found within the Independent Sacramental Movement, all candidates will be required to complete a free private seminary/mentor-ship program lasting several years before approval for ordination to the priesthood is granted. This policy also includes all incardinations. So as to assure the protection of our Sacred tradition and integrity of the mysteries under our care, there will be no exceptions to this policy.

Companions of St. Dionysius the Martyr (OSSD) Dissolved

Today, Patriarch Nicholas III in mundo +Bryan D. Ouellette, Ph.D. officially dissolved the Order of St. Dionysius (also known as the Companions of St. Dionysius [OSSD]) previously a monastic order of the Holy Monastic Order En Deus. While the Holy Monastic Order En Deus will continue to function as the official monastic order of the Holy Nicholean Catholic and Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Churches, the Order of St. Dionysius, along with its associated hermitages and priory will no longer exist.  The decision was made on the basis of some administrative changes that are taking place within the monastic system. The goal is to consolidate the Holy Monastic Order's mutual purpose while shedding superfluous complexities that are no longer relevant to the future vision of the Church.

Welcome to the new Vestiges of Christianity Radio Show!

Listen to internet radio with Vestiges of Christianity on Blog Talk Radio

Tonight, Bishop Bryan D. Ouellette, Ph.D. speaks about the new outreach ministry radio show for the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church including new insights into future ministry programs. What is Vestiges of Christianity? What is the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church? What is esoteric Christianity and how does it relate to Epignosis? Find out on Vestiges of Christianity.

Merry Christmas!

The Holy Nicholean Catholic and Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Churches, along with the Holy Monastic Order En Deus wish you all the grace, blessings, and peace of Christ in this Christmas Season.

May Christ rest upon your hearts always.

Dr. +Bryan D. Ouellette’s audio message for November 7, 2011

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

How Important are Ministerial Credentials?

Imagine if we lived in a world where anyone could declare himself a doctor? Imagine if we lived in a world where anyone could declare himself a lawyer, or a teacher, or even a "certified" home repair man? Imagine if there were no standards upon which to measure the skill or knowledge of the professional, having rather to take them at their word? Yet, in our modern world, there is no shortage of such individuals in the field of religion. Anyone without any theological/ministerial education, experience, and/or verified skill may declare himself or herself a minister, a priest, or a spiritual authority, etc. Many of these individuals validate their credentials on the basis of personal revelations, inspirations, or mystical experiences. They seek no means of professional certification and they often condemn those who have received such credentials.

In our traditions, receiving ministerial license in the Holy Nicholean Catholic and Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Churches involves a careful screening process (including criminal background check) along with an extensive mentorship-based evaluation and training. Additionally, Apostolic Succession provides the authority to perform a ministerial role validly, assuring that our ministers have the Grace to continue the work properly through their commitment of obedience to the community.

Be careful in your spiritual exploration, being sure to protect yourself against the manipulation of those who teach a spiritual "freedom" that is so abundantly free, there remains no protection against self-delusion.

Patriarch Nicholas III in mundo +Bryan D. Ouellette, Ph.D.
Holy Nicholean Catholic Church
Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church

The Death of Tradition?

We are now living in such a time when it is believed by the vast majority that internal, subjective, individualistic, “free-lance” spirituality has made obsolete the more traditional forms of church community and tradition. In fact, to many in our contemporary world, the word ‘tradition’ invokes a nebulous, irrational fear. In keeping with this fad, incidentally, countless people are falling away from “traditional religion”, calling it a “disease” and a “toxin” inflicted upon mankind by “malevolent” religious dictatorships like that of the Papacy, as if the function of the Pope is to personally make each and every person in the world as miserable and as unhappy as possible. Observing all of this as a religious authority myself, I cannot help but ponder the questions: has traditional religion become ineffectual? Are the Sacramental Graces contained within sacred operations like Baptism and Eucharist no longer applicable? Does this world even deserve them anymore?

The name chosen for this blog [Vestiges of Christianity] was carefully selected and, I believe, appropriately reflects the type of ministries performed at the two churches under my care. It is then ironic to consider that in light of our contemporary spiritual climate, I too may be in the process of becoming another vestige of Christianity. It would be highly deceptive of me not to suggest that the Office of Patriarch carries with it the unusual aura of a museum curator. The primary, fundamental purpose of our ministries is to serve, but how does one serve those who don’t think they need what we possess?

It is unquestionable that 1,700 years of Roman Catholic authoritarian domination of the western world combined with at least 500 years of reactionary theology is to blame for much of what we are seeing today. Crusades and inquisitions have become synonymous with priesthood, sacraments, and honest ministry. Additionally, media-manipulated church-related sexual scandals haven’t helped matters any. I see it every day that I step out into public dressed in ministerial uniform. The white collar is like a neon sign sending a [not-so] subliminal message to great numbers whispering things like, “beware, fear, distrust, avoid, run!” In fact, the uniform has become such a barrier to connecting with people, I now only use it when representing the Church in a public function or when serving a participating member of our small community.

And yes, the numbers of those who still, despite everything else, wish to be served by the Sacramental Graces are existent, but small. The donations are even smaller, particularly in churches the size of ours. People are sometimes willing to give something of their time, but financial support is often “asking too much”. It has reached a point where people expect churches to manufacture their own capital, and much of this is due, I believe, to the depreciating market value of spiritual intercession. Why go to a priest when you can ask God yourself? It’s like asking, why go to a doctor when you can let your immune system handle the infection? Well, sometimes it can’t! However, it is interesting that when someone is physically sick or dying, suddenly the priest is temporarily elevated from village idiot to modestly relevant, although once the services are performed, the prayers are said, and the grief runs its natural course, the priest returns once more to the outer limits of obscurity.

So what is to be done? How do we, as clergy, help people who will not listen to us to come to understand that personal spirituality is no replacement for the Sacramental Graces of the Church?

My answer may surprise my readers.

It is my contention that this fad must run its course before its damage can be reversed. It should be noted that I am hardly arguing against personal spirituality, but rather affirming that personal Christian spirituality without the Sacraments of the Church is horribly incomplete. Regardless, the climate of ministry has changed and we must adapt to those changes by applying strategic solutions. The Holy Nicholean Catholic and the Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Churches were founded as a countermeasure to many of the problems I have listed in this article. The first strategy we implemented was to establish an infrastructure to preserve the sacred ancient traditions of Christianity. For those of you who are familiar with and appreciate George Lucas’ Star Wars, what we are doing is not unlike Yoda training Luke Skywalker to become a Jedi decades after the Empire’s near-successful attempt at eradicating all Jedi Knights. My apologizes for the pop-culture reference, but in light of these topics, I find it strangely accordant with the current mentality.

Our second strategy has been to consolidate our efforts to work only with select groups in relatively small numbers. While it is the strong desire of some of our ministers to operate large parishes and conduct extensive active ministries, the perpetual lack of financial support our ministries receive prevents us from doing the things we really want to be doing, like feeding the poor, clothing the naked, etc. The sad and unfortunate result is that most of our ministers must work secular jobs and invest their own monies into any and all of the works they perform. This is neither efficient nor constructive, but is rather the reality of ministry today in a small church established in a culture that does not think it needs us.

Finally, our third strategy, yet to be implemented [and hopefully will not be], is to reserve the possibility that if conditions remain as they are, to convert the Churches into an exclusively contemplative monastic community. It is no secret to those who have studied the mysteries of the Church that its sacred rites were once reserved for only the priestly class. Perhaps, then, it is fitting that it is to the priestly class that they shall return? Most requests our churches receive from the public are from individuals seeking ordination. Almost none are from those seeking to become members of its laity. This result alone justifies the need to consider this third strategy.

Salvation and spiritual development is everyone’s problem. In the shadow of inevitable death, something we all must face sooner or later, one would think it would be of primary importance to nearly everybody, yet our life in the modern world has removed the stench of death to such a degree, the majority behave as though they shall live forever. The acquisition of wealth replaces the need for God as often a fat wallet provides far more temporal security. Yet as unwholesome as things currently are, I remain hopeful that this work that we are doing will continue for posterity. I trust in the process and expect that one day in the future, the world will need us again and will find it within their hearts to support the ministerial institution so that the corporal works of mercy may resume and be distributed to the masses. Until then, however, we shall exist not unlike the Jedi Knights, resisting annihilation by defending, protecting, and preserving the traditions the world would rather forget it requires.

Blessings to all in Christ,

Patriarch Nicholas III in mundo +Bryan D. Ouellette, Ph.D.

Holy Nicholean Catholic Church

Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church

The Call From God

The Holy Nicholean Catholic Church has slightly revised and updated its vocational process. Please read the update below:

A vocation to clerical life is a very special calling from God into a life of service. Understanding this call to service is necessary for proper discernment, especially when one is seeking priesthood. It occurs when God reaches out directly to touch us with absolute purpose and intention. When we accept this contact and reach back to him, humanity becomes a complete instrument of God. Priests (and to a certain extent, those in the lessor ministries) are invited to participate in the very action of God's cosmic work. In a very real sense, they become deliberate functions of divine force and presence. Unfortunately, we have seen how the Independent Sacramental Movement (ISM) is riddled with ministers who have acquired ordination for personal reasons, power seeking, and/or for private initiations into some esoteric/occult modality. The Holy Nicholean Catholic Church, however, rejects such intentions and labels them as false callings. We hope to correct this phenomenon and increase the quality and integrity of the ISM. It is for this reason that we are very careful with our discernment process. Anyone is invited to apply to become a cleric in the church, but acceptance into our seminary/mentorship program is dependent upon several factors. Not the least of which are:

1. Candidates for the clerical ministry may be single or married. Although it is not a definitive rule, we prefer candidates interested in Major Orders to be married beforehand.

2. Candidates must be of the highest moral and ethical character. This does not mean that they cannot be human too; thus, it simply affirms that interested candidates for ministry have a regular practice of self-reflection, being present and mindful to their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

3. Candidates should have an overwhelming internal drive to serve others.

4. Candidates should be prepared and willing to engage the reality of God without pretense or constructed illusion. One must have the patient endurance to see beyond one's conventions and beliefs, as such elements often distort the actuality of God and will interfere with the minister's ability to function effectively.

5. While the HNCC rejects the idea of seeking ordination for private and/or personal reasons, it does suggest that any candidate for Major Sacramental Orders understands that each level (i.e., deacon, priest, and bishop) is every bit an initiation into the most profound corners of the esoteric world. Candidates should be warned never to take their vocations lightly. The Sacrament of Holy Orders is perhaps the most wonderful and frightening mystical experience available to humankind.

The first step on the path to priesthood and/or ministry is discernment. This begins by carefully filling out the application and meeting regularly (on the phone if necessary) with your assigned vocation director. His job is to assist you with the discernment process by offering you spiritual direction and instruction.

The second part of the process is to speak with the Bishop assigned to your locality. If after this evaluation everyone is agreed that a vocation to ministry exists, the next stage is an invitation to enter the Seminary/Mentorship program.

The HNCC does not utilize a formal seminary program at this time, rather it prefers to work with its vocational candidates in much the same way as the early Church. This involves ascertaining the individual educational needs of each candidate and assisting the candidate with meeting those needs. The vocation director and Bishop closely work together with each candidate on a personal level. When all requirements are met, the candidate is invited to receive the level of ministry that is appropriate to their current level of completion. This translates into the simple fact that ordination tends to occur faster than it would in the more conventional traditions of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, but it also means that it is less dependent upon academic milestones and far more on spiritual maturity. While we see this as an advantage in our tradition, we strongly desire that our candidates for priesthood have at least a four-year college degree.

The HNCC offers three levels of ministry:

Lay Ministry: Candidates for this Office may be involved in running parish events, administratively assisting priests and deacons, cantoring, teaching child and adult religious education, etc.

Minor Orders: Involve four specific Offices.

Acolyte: the primary assistant at the altar.
Exorcist: will assist at Baptisms and also assists the Rector with grave spiritual crises.
Ostarius: assists in directing the liturgy, making announcements, and ensuring order in the congregation.
Lector: reads the scriptures of the day other than the Gospel.

Major Orders: Involve four specific Offices.

Subdeacon/Subdeaconess: As the first level of the Major Orders (according to the traditions of the west), the subdeacon or subdeaconess serves as an assistant to those functioning within the sacramental Office of Deacons. In our traditions, the Order of Subdeacon/Subdeaconess may hold the title of Reverend and perform limited ministerial duties afforded that of a ministerial license in our churches.

Sacramental Major Orders:

Deacon/Deaconess: The first level of the Sacrament of Holy Orders confers upon the candidate the sacramental authority to perform baptisms, weddings, funerals, last rites, exorcisms, lead narthex groups, communion services outside of Mass, read the Gospel at Mass, offer pastoral counseling, and offer sermons. The Diaconate may exist under the form of a Permanent Diaconate (one remains a Deacon for life) or under the form of the Transitional Diaconate (as a initiatory step toward the reception of Priesthood). In keeping with the ancient traditions of the Church, this Office is open to both males and females.
Priesthood: The second level of Holy Orders confers upon the deacon the ability to offer the Sacrifice of the Mass, hear confessions in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, provide Sacramental Blessings, lead parishes, and (if a Pastor with delegated authority) perform Confirmations. The HNCC does not feel it has the authority to open priesthood up to women until an ecumenical counsel declares such a practice valid. We do, however, stand by the position that a female priesthood has the potential to enhance the richness of the Church.
Bishopric: The third and final level of the Sacrament of Holy Orders confers upon the priest the fullness of the Sacrament. By virtue of this Office, he becomes a true successor to the Apostles under Apostolic Succession. He holds the special and exclusive task of leading a diocese as well as performing Confirmations and Ordinations. He also serves as the only minister who may consecrate another bishop. In both the Nicholean and Russian Orthodox traditions, candidates for consecration to Bishop are selected only from among solemnly professed monastics.

A final word about Ordinations, Consecrations, and Apostolic Succession:

The Independent Sacrament Movement is prone to a wide variety of Sacramental forms. When considering what constitutes a valid priestly Ordination or episcopal Consecration, an Independent Bishop MUST consider that validity is just as much dependent upon the Sacramental form as it is on the validity of his own Apostolic Succession. Despite what many might believe about this controversial subject, valid Apostolic Succession does NOT confer on Bishops the authority to ordain a deacon, priest or consecrate a bishop using just any arbitrary rite. The rite that is used must contain a validly recognized form that has been approved by a synod of Bishops, or preferably, by an Ecumenical Counsel. With this in mind, all of the ministers of the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church or the Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church have been ordained under the same rites used by that of the Roman Catholic Church or of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Affiliation Process of the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church and the Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church

The Holy Nicholean Catholic Church processes all affiliations for itself and for the Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church. One of the paramount missions of the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church (HNCC) along with the Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church (HIROC) is to bring all Christian Churches together and to promote a spirit of religious tolerance (through love and acceptance) toward all religions. Part of this goal is realized through our affiliate program. Having one of the only authentic historical patriarchates in the Independent Sacrament Movement places us in a unique position to be at service to any small independent congregations or solitary independent priests and/or bishops. We welcome any church or cleric to apply to become a congregation of the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church or the Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church and thus enjoy the benefits of coming into union with our patriarchate. If you lead an independent church or find yourself to be a disenfranchised clergyman with no establishment in which to be of service, we invite you to apply for affiliation.

We consider the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church to be a non-dogmatic protector of sacred traditions. While the primary expression of Nicholean Catholicism materializes as high, liturgical, apostolic Christianity (nearly identical in form to Roman Catholicism with some eastern Orthodox influences) we strongly recognize that Christianity is a diversified and dynamic theological entity. Through this recognition, we understand that Christian unity requires an ecumenical approach that supports and encourages philosophical variation. Each unique tradition that affiliates with our patriarchate will NOT be assimilated into our existing rites, but rather, will be preserved according to the customs of the population it serves. The only exception to this involves a few certain universal and uncompromising doctrines of Christian sacramental theology that valid Apostolic Succession requires of any minister, ministry, or church. Please note that these requirements are only applicable to ministers, ministries, or churches that hold or desire to hold Apostolic Succession with us. Ministers, ministries, or churches that maintain a tradition that does not require Apostolic Succession, but wish to affiliate with us through a spirit of Christian unity, may disregard any requirements that are not applicable to their own specific tradition (numbers 1 through 23). These are as follows:

1. Sacramental Christian Baptism must be conferred “in name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” while either pouring (affusion) actual water over the head of the recipient or through full immersion (our preferred method) in order to be considered valid.
2. Valid Sacramental Baptism is only to be conferred once in a recipient’s lifetime.
3. Sacramental Confirmation must be conferred by a bishop or a priest with delegated authority by his bishop using the laying on of hands, a proper invocation of the Holy Spirit, and the anointing of the recipient’s body with validly consecrated holy oils.
4. Holy Eucharist may only include the elements of bread (leavened or unleavened) made from pure wheat flower and water. The wine must be made from only the grape and be fermented. Kosher wine for Passover or specifically designated sacramental wines may be used.
5. Holy Eucharist may only be consecrated by a validly ordained priest or bishop using valid rites of liturgy (along with correct use of the associated rubric) approved by the Patriarch directly. Currently our Patriarch Nicholas III has approved the following liturgies: The Novus Ordo (the official Mass of Nicholean Catholicism), The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, The Liturgy of St Basil, The Divine Liturgy of St. Mark, The Liturgy of Sts. Adaeus and Maris, The Liturgy of St. James, The Tridentine Mass, The Sarum Mass, The Liturgy of St. Tikhon, The Liturgy of St. Gregory, The Ambrosian Mass.
   
6. Modifications to any approved liturgy may only be done with the written consent of the Patriarch. Affiliates must make note of what modifications they feel their tradition requires and receive approval for the change by the Patriarch prior to affiliation.
7. While the doctrine of transubstantiation is not required of our affiliates, acceptance of the True Presence of Jesus Christ within the Eucharistic elements is unavoidably mandatory.
8. The Sacrament of Reconciliation may only be conferred by a validly ordained priest or bishop.
9. The words “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” along with the appropriate gesture of blessing must be used.
10. The confessor is bound to a strict protocol of secrecy when hearing confessions. He must never reveal, under any circumstances and to anyone (even to his own confessor, bishop, or wife), what is revealed to him through the natural course of this Sacrament.
11. The Sacrament of the Sick may be only conferred by a validly ordained deacon, priest or bishop. Deacons should only be commissioned to confer this Sacrament in the case of extreme emergency.
12. Only validly consecrated Oils of the Sick are to be used.
13. The Sacrament can be conferred on anyone who may need it, not only just upon the terminally ill or dying.
14. The Sacrament of Matrimony may be conferred by any validly ordained deacon, priest, or bishop.
15. At the present time and for reasons discussed in the ‘Our Convictions’ section of this website , no affiliate minister, ministry, or church may validly confer this Sacrament upon members of the same gender.
16. All ministers must also abide by the jurisdictional laws under which they reside.
17. The Sacrament of Holy Orders may only be conferred by a validly consecrated Bishop with valid Apostolic Succession.
18. At the present time and for reasons discussed in the ‘Our Convictions’ section of the website, the priesthood and the episcopacy may only be validly conferred upon men.
19. Affiliate bishops may, however, ordain females to the diaconate with full ministerial powers of that rank.
20. Affiliate bishops may confer this Sacrament upon a homosexual recipient provided that the recipient takes a vow of chastity (see ‘Our Convictions' for more information).
21. Affiliate bishops may also confer Holy Orders upon either a single person (provided the recipient is chaste) or upon a married individual.
22. Validly ordained affiliate single priests and bishops may marry after Holy Orders is conferred.
23. All ordination rites used must include a validly recognized form in order to confer the powers of Apostolic Succession.
24. Outside of the sacramental theological requirements, our affiliates must publish their affiliation with us on their website and/or primary source material, indicating that they are an affiliate of the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church or Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church.
25. Failure to maintain these rules of affiliation may result in discontinuation of affiliation. Any objections to these points should be discussed during the affiliation process. If a particular tradition requires a certain exception to a rule, Patriarch Nicholas III is usually more than accommodating, often finding any way possible to reconcile incompatible doctrines.
26. The prospective affiliate should understand that these requirements exist to protect the integrity of Apostolic Succession, which is, in effect, a tradition in its own right that deserves to be protected and defended against abuses.

Those interested in affiliating with our patriarchate may do so by applying here: http://nicholean.webs.com/affiliation.htm

Mass and Prayers Said for Sabrina

Today, Patriarch Nicholas III offered a Mass for Sabrina and her family of Marietta, Georgia on this Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week of Ordinary time. At her request, please continue to keep Sabrina and her family in your prayers.

On the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene

Today, Patriarch Nicholas III offered a Mass for the intentions of Josephine while celebrating the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene. We ask that you please keep Josephine's needs in your own prayers this week.

Requiem Mass for Maria Teresa Casbas Rosillo

Today, Patriarch Nicholas III offered a Requiem Mass at the Hermitage of the Holy Innocents for the repose of the soul of Maria Teresa Casbas Rosillo at the request of her daughter. Services will continue into the evening through the Divine Office of the Dead. We ask our entire community (both laity and clergy) to also include Maria and her family in your prayers.

and greater works than these he will do...

Jesus said,

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do..." [John 14:12].

And now that some are ready to do just that, the world either does not accept it or refuses to let those individuals proceed.

It is time this changes.

We are seeing to it.

Patriarch Nicholas III
Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church
Holy Nicholean Catholic Church

Abbot
Holy Monastic Order En Deus

Trinity Sunday

"There are different gifts but the same Spirit; there are different ministries but the same Lord; there are different works but the same God who accomplishes all of them in everyone." 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Perhaps we would be doing the world a great service to remember that St. Paul uses the word "everyone" and not "Christians".

Patriarch Nicholas III

Happy Pentecost!

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Our Formal Position on Female Clergy

At this time, the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church yields to the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches on the question of female priests and bishops. Like homosexual marriage, such a serious deviation from the traditional teaching of the Church, we contend, must come from the actions of an ecumenical council or via reasonable historical precedent. While we do recognize that the extra-canonical sources (e.g. the Gospel of Philip and the Gospel of Mary) appear to reflect a favorable theology and St. Paul himself may have had high ranking female clergy under his pastoral care, we feel such a decision must be made by the Church as a whole. We have decided, however, to begin ordaining female deaconesses in keeping with the traditions of the early Church as demonstrated abundantly in such writings as the third century A.D. Didascalia Apostolorum. Additionally, the Eastern Orthodox Churches have a standing history of ordaining women to the Order of Deaconess, the rites of which can be found in the seventeenth century A.D. Dmitrievsky's Eucholgia. Also, the icon of St. Dorothy of Kashin (see right) pictures her holding a censor, the common attribute of a deacon. Such evidence proves to our satisfaction the sacramental nature and validity of the Office of Deaconess.

In the HNCC, both Deacons and Deaconesses are eligible to receive ministerial license (Reverend status) and have the sacramental authority to perform baptisms, weddings, funerals, last rites, exorcisms, communion services outside of Mass, read the Gospel at Mass, offer pastoral counseling, and offer sermons.

Monastery Status Update

Dear Friends,

For those of you who are interested and have been following the progress of our efforts to establish the physical monastery, I have both good and bad news to report.

First, the bad news...

After meticulously preparing the extensive paperwork required to apply for the church loan, we finally submitted our request for a relatively large amount of start-up capital. This initial funding would be used to A) establish the physical monastery in the United States and B) also establish an esoteric research center on the island of Curaçao through which the Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church and Holy Monastic Order En Deus could operate from on an international level. Unfortunately, the request appeared to be too high for the current real estate market. The lender was just too uncomfortable and declined.

Now, the good news...

We have resubmitted the request asking for less funding. If this new amount is approved, it will at least provide us with the means to establish the physical monastery here in the United States. We can then work on other phases of the project at a later date. Please pray that we will soon see an end to our waiting. There is so much work to be done and a physical location is essential to the success of this work.

All my blessings,

Patriarch Nicholas III
Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church
Holy Nicholean Catholic Church

Abbot
Holy Monastic Order En Deus