For general questions about Gnosticism, check out the Palm Tree Garden’s “Frequently Asked Questions” page.
1. From where does the Order derive its authority? What are its views on Apostolic Succession?
2. Is the Order of Allogenes a church?
3. What kind of sacraments or rites does the Order practice? Are they available for perusal?
4. What is the Order’s ordination process?
5. Do Order members meet regularly?
6. I am interested in independent Gnostic practice but prefer not to participate in a formal church. Does the Order allow for this?
7. I want to start a Gnostic meetup/church in my area. Can I do so as an Order Solitary
8. What would a typical Order-guided Gnostic church or meeting look like?
9. What is the Order’s policy on restricting sacraments? Some churches do not offer sacraments to non-members, or to Catechumens. Also, what is the Order’s policy on the sacrament of Marriage as pertains to same-sex couples?
10. What does the Order mean by “Radical Seperation of Church and State”?
11. Does the Order recognize the validity of other Christian sacramental practices, such as Baptism/Confirmation in another Church?
12. Are there opportunities for further growth within the Order?
13. I have further questions or would like more information, or would like to speak directly to an Order representative.
1. From where does the Order derive its authority? What are its views on Apostolic Succession?
The Order has been established according to its Principles as the result of an inbreaking of the Pleroma into the World of Forms. It is the opinion of the Order that this phenomenon has occured as a natural act according to the redemptive qualities of the Christos and Sophia. For this reason, we do not feel that religious authority needs to be somehow ‘inspired’ via divine revelation, contact with spirits, extraterrestrials, etc. As gnosis is an expression which lends itself to creation, the community’s authority derives from a mutual contract between its members and those for whom they provide services. The institution of the Order was wholly inspired by its members, who also drafted its documents and established its rites, rituals and practices. The authority given the Order by the presence of the Christos and Sophia within its members, who express their will, does not need to derive validity from the supernatural as the expression of the will of God is entirely natural.
The OA operates outside of the ecclesiastical model of lineate Apostolic Succession, while recognizing the validity of traditions which utilize that model. It is the opinion of the Order that, “Apostolicity is a trait inherent in all the people of God. As apostles, and as members of the Body of the Christ, children of God possess the heritage and powers necessary for the complete enacting of the mysterious sacrament of nuptial union (and all the sacraments associated with it). If a local community of the children of God chooses to continue in more traditional allocations of these responsibilities to specific individuals, it is its right. However, if a community chooses to allocate the responsibilities of these powers to all members of its community, and thereby making its theological commitments more visible, it is its apostolic right” (“A Brief Study on Apostolicity and the Order of Allogenes,” by Bro. Eckhart Christopher Sowers, Order Protocols, Appendix A).
2. Is the Order of Allogenes a church?
Although individual Order Solitaries are welcome to start churches or meetings for worship in their areas, the OA is not a church. Rather, the Order might best be described as a Communion, or even a Monastic Order. It has been compared to a trade union for independent practitioners. The Order provides community and resources to individuals, but does not dictate their individual practices, provided the Rule of the Order is maintained by the Solitary to the best of his or her ability.
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3. What kind of sacraments or rites does the Order practice? Are they available for perusal?
The Order recognizes seven major sacraments:
- Mystery: The sacrament of Initiation into the Order.
- Baptism: The sacrament of washing with water that we may be reborn in Sophia.
- Chrism: The sacrament of anointing with oil that we may be reborn in the Christos.
- Eucharist: The sacrament of thanksgiving that we may partake of the gnosis of the Pleroma.
- Marriage: The sacrament of joining that we may participate in the union of souls.
- Redemption: The sacrament of consolamentum that our errors may be forgiven and the resurrection may be received.
- Bridal chamber: The sacrament of gnosis that we might through contemplation come to the knowledge of who we are, what we will become, where we were, where we have been born, where we will go, from what we are redeemed, what is birth, and what is rebirth.
Order Solitaries are also encouraged to develop other sacraments as they feel so called.
The external form of the sacraments are largely determined by the individual Solitary. guided by Gnostic tradition but recognizing that the Order is a modern for. A collection of sacramental rites and rituals, as well as “common prayers,” will soon be released under the title, The Book of the Stranger. Electronic Copies are provided at no charge to Order Members, and will also be available for sale in paperback and hardcover in March of 2008. The Book of the Stranger provides a basic framework for sacramental rites and rituals, and its use is in no way required of Order Solitaries.
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4. What is the Order’s ordination process?
Ordination into the Order is a Mystery. See Vocation/Ordination for a detailed discussion, or to request a copy of the Order Protocols, which outline the process, please contact us.
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5. Do Order members meet regularly?
At present, due to limitations of geography, Order members typically communicate via the internet. The very nature of the Order makes face-to-face communication between Solitaries rather rare (we are, after all, called “Solitaries” for a reason). As the Order grows, physical meetings will occur with greater frequency.
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6. I am interested in independent Gnostic practice but prefer not to participate in a formal church. Does the Order allow for this?
Absolutely! Most Order Solitaries are independent practitioners who use the Order as a resource. Order Initiates (not yet ordained as Solitaries) are ordained to perform sacraments individually. Ordination as a Solitary allows the Order member to perform sacraments for a community, though this is in no way required.
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7. I want to start a Gnostic meetup/church in my area. Can I do so as an Order Solitary?
Absolutely! Due, however, to the Order’s policy of radical seperation of Church and State (discussed here), the legalities of operating a church or meeting in one’s area, funding that church or meeting, etc., would of necessity be entirely in the hands of that particular community. The Order will provide any other possible support or guidance, as well as the spiritual authority which so often concerns individuals who wish to seed a community.
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8. What would a typical Order-guided Gnostic church or meeting look like?
It would look the way best suited to that particular community. A community might gravitate towards a “High Church” model with vestments, candles, incense, etc. Another community might prefer a “Folk” approach, more similar to Evangelical or Quaker worship practice. Eucharist might be celebrated weekly at a Mass, or only on certain occasions. The Order places no limitations on form of worship provided those forms are celebrated in the spirit of the Order’s founding documents and do no harm to self or others.
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9. What is the Order’s policy on restricting sacraments? Some churches do not offer sacraments to non-members, or to Catechumens. Also, what is the Order’s policy on the sacrament of Marriage as pertains to same-sex couples?
The Order practices radically open sacramental services. No person, regardless of accident of the World of Forms or involvement in another tradition, shall be turned away from communion. The sacraments of Baptism and Chrism are– for obvious reasons– restricted to those on the Gnostic path, and though typically one must be Baptised before receiving the Chrism, individual Solitaries are encouraged to make these decisions based on the need of their specific communities.
The Order’s view on Marriage is also radically open. It is the Order’s opinion that every person has the right to declare their love for another person and have that delcaration sanctified by God. The Order shall consider all such unions valid, even if unrecognized by the State.
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10. What does the Order mean by “Radical Seperation of Church and State”?
This policy is addressed in Order Protocol II, Section 1:
Section 1.1 Although individual members are counseled to follow their consciences in matters of interaction with Worldly Government, the Order’s position will be that of radical seperation of Church and State. The Order will neither support nor condemn activities of political governments as a matter of policy; however, individual members are of course welcome to do so as they feel so guided.
Section 1.2 The Order will neither register with a political government nor condemn registration with a political government, nor shall the Order maintain finances which will require taxation by a political government. Any financial needs of the Order shall be met by individual members or the pooled resources of said members, who will be responsible for accounting and reporting said finances to any necessary authorities. In all matters financial, the Order shall rely upon the benevolence of the Christos and Sophia to provide for their needs.
Section 1.3 The Order will perform and recognize the sacrament of marriage between any two loving individuals regardless of sexual orientation, and regardless of whether said union has the approval of a political government.
Section 1.4 If an individual member fears persecution by a political government for matters of conscience, the Order may provide sanctuary however so guided during a Special Meeting of the General Membership.
Section 1.5 The Order shall not engage in political activities. No substantial part of the activities of the Order shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Order shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Protocols, this Order shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the purposes of the Order.
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11. Does the Order recognize the validity of other Christian sacramental practices, such as Baptism/Confirmation in another Church?
Yes, within reason. This validity is between the individual and the organization in question, and generally speaking if an individual baptised into, say, Roman Catholicism wishes to participate in Order Sacraments without first undergoing Baptism via the Order, this is fine. Again, this is primarily between the Solitary and the individual who wishes to participate in the sacrament.
Regarding other Gnostic organizations such as the Apostolic Johannite Church, the Alexandrian Gnostic Church, the Ecclesia Gnostica, etc., the OA recognizes their complete validity in all matters spiritual and sacramental, and is happy to refer curious individuals to these traditions.
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12. Are there opportunities for further growth within the Order?
Yes. There are five Houses within the Order, each guided by members of the Stewards’ Council, designed to further growth and development of individual Solitaries. When one has been ordained as a Solitary, one may choose to affiliate with one or more of these Houses (again, not a requirement). The Houses and their focii are:
Red House: Sacramental Practice.
Blue House: Service.
Green House: Creation and the Arts.
Yellow House: Research and Scholastics.
Purple House: Contemplative Practice.
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13. I have further questions or would like more information, or would like to speak directly to an Order representative.
Please feel free to contact us at any time!
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