Apostolic Johannite Church: News and Events

To the Apostolic Johannite Church, and all people of good will

1. Behold thy Mother!

2. These are the last words spoken to John by Jesus at his crucifixion when he commended Mary, Theotokos and John into each other’s care.

3. As Johannites, these should be should be the first words in our hearts when we approach the Divine through figures of history and myth- when we as an Ecclesia venerate the heroic virtues and wisdom of
the holy and saintly women throughout the liturgical year.

4. For all the emphasis that we place on early stories of the Holy Saints John and the Holy Saints Mary, these three words often times go without comment, and yet they stand hand in hand with the stories and
origins of our traditions.

5. More than just the telling of a story of cherished friends and family, it is a proclamation and a calling to a recognition of that which participates in our inspiration in a unique and powerful way- not a mere recognition of an event or a retelling of a legend, it is the communication of a spiritual imperative.

6. Without following this imperative, our Statement of Principles is rendered a shadow and the words as empty as our own being will certainly be found to be, when we ignore the presence and inspiration
of the Divine Feminine which brings purpose and life to our undertakings and our paths.

7. Neither merely to be found alone in either the veneration of Holy Sophia or in legends and stories of those great figures to which our Church honours, from Holy Mary of Magdala to Esclarmonde de Foix, this
presence is also to be seen in the persons of our friends and family in the present day- sisters, mothers, daughters, teachers, guides and our companions.

8. Indeed, we cannot honour the one, without honouring the other- we cannot tell of the stories and virtues of those that have gone before us, without telling the stories and virtues of those that our with us here and now, and yet to come.

9. It is also not enough to simply highlight or draw to attention these things only when our minds call us to it, for no matter how many times that would be, it would not be enough to express it in a manner
that does justice to the dignity of the Divine Feminine.

10. Yet in the face of this ultimately ineffable understanding of the Holy Wisdom to which we are not only witnesses but participants, there yet remains still some measure of understanding to communicated through the limited means that we have before us

11. Mindful of this, the Ecclesia turns its heart and mind more fully to the awareness of that to which we all have been entrusted, and that which, through the figures of John and Mary in Gospel, we all have
been called to uphold and honour.

12. For a perpetual memorial, and in keeping with my vows to uphold and preserve all that which the Ecclesia honours, I establish for the Apostolic Johannite Church the following:

That the Feast of Holy Mary of Magdala is to be celebrated after the manner of an octave or afterfeast for eight days.

That the Descent of the Holy Sophia is to be celebrated after the manner of an octave or afterfeast for eight days.

That the Sophianic Liturgy of the Apostolic Johannite Church is recommended to be celebrated on all days honouring the Divine Feminine. Other appropriate celebrations of the Divine and Human Feminine principles may be incorporated at the discretion of Rectors and Narthex Leaders with the approval of the Diocesan Bishop.

For which day is set for its implementation, the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, July 22nd, the two thousand and eighth year of our Lord and the one hundred and eighteenth year of the era of the Gnosis restored.

Given at the Oratory of St. John on July 22nd, 2008, the Feast of Holy Mary of Magdala and the eve of the fifth year of my patriarchate.

The Apostolic Johannite Church is saddened to hear the news of the passing of Fr. Michael Lafferty of the Ecclesia Gnostica. Our hearts, prayers and condolences go out to his family and friends and the church he called home- the Ecclesia Gnostica.

Modern Gnosticism is made up of small but dedicated communities, and the loss of a dedicated servant of the Gnosis and a defender of the dignity of all peoples, is one felt by all.

Memory Eternal!

It is not lightly that the Apostolic Johannite Church voices its views on the action of other churches.

The Apostolic Johannite Church, being a participant in Apostolic stewardship of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, is mindful always to respect the rights of other Churches to self-determination and governance in accordance with their own theological principles and aims, insofar as they are lawful, dignified and respectful of the rights of all human beings.

As such, it is always a matter for lengthy consideration when the Apostolic Johannite Church is asked or seeks to comment on the affairs of another Church.

In a statement released twelve days ago in L’Osservatore Romano, H.Em. William Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, reaffirmed the Roman Catholic position on women’s ordination originally stated earlier by the Bishop of Rome, His Holiness, John Paul II in a 1994 letter entitled Ordination Sacerdotalis.

The position itself is nothing new, however, what makes this statement particularly troubling is the outlined penalty of automatic excommunication for those women who receive ordination.

Excommunication is, as described by those who employ it, a medicinal penalty. By this it is meant to be a corrective penalty that seeks to induce those so excommunicated to correct or repent of their actions or views by attaching to the lack of the same, total exclusion from the community of the church.

The Apostolic Johannite Church feels that, in addition to the position on ordination which is theologically without merit, the penalty of excommunication is not only extreme, but spiritually and emotionally dangerous and in this case, harmful and in opposition to the pastoral responsibility of the Church, universal and particular. There can be no healing or rapprochement when true equality is denied.

Such a penalty, if employed at all, should be reserved for much greater issues then a sincere and honest vocation to the priesthood by qualified women, which is in reality something to be treasured and celebrated.

The Apostolic Johannite Church remains committed to fostering, assisting and building up the vocation of women to Sacred Orders, not only as a matter of its own principles, but especially of the theological and ecclesial reality that it is not the Church that calls humankind to a sacred vocation, it is the Divine itself.

Whether one draws one’s reference from the words of canonical scripture through “neither male nor female for you are all one in Christ” or through the principle of the Divine present in humanity through the Divine Spark or Sacred Flame, all communities worthy to be so called, are obligated alike to the highest calling of love and inclusion.

It is our hope that the spirit of love and inclusion, which is none other than the Holy Spirit, will inspire other churches as well as our own to be a more full expression of the transforming action of the Divine, by whom we are not called to be mediators for, but co-creators with- in that very same spirit of love and inclusion.

The Patriarch of the Apostolic Johannite Church

Available here

It is with a healthy measure of relief and joy that the Apostolic Johannite Church applauds the decision of the California Supreme Court to overturn the ban on same-sex marriages.

Throughout its history, the Apostolic Johannite Church has remained committed to the principles enshrined in both Canon Law and its Statement of Principles- making no distinction between heterosexual and homosexual marriages providing they represent sacramental vows of union.

Further to this, the Apostolic Johannite Church likewise recognizes the need for and gives its support to civil ceremonies of marriage, recognizing the freedom of choice of all human beings to engage in a religious or secular life as they see fit, celebrating their lives through civil, social and religious tradition.

It is our hope that other communities, religious denominations and governments will look upon the example given anew by California, and supported by such countries as the Netherlands, Canada and Spain, and work to likewise outline and uphold the right of all their citizens and adherents to the recognition of the value of their partnerships.

The Patriarch of the Apostolic Johannite Church

The Apostolic Johannite Church together with the Office of the Patriarch is pleased to announce Conclave 2008: San Francisco- May 7th to May 11th, the Feast of Pentecost. There will be a meeting of the Apostolic Council of the Apostolic Johannite Church, interviews and discussion for the Clergy and Laity with the Patriarch of the Apostolic Johannite Church and the presentation of the revised Sacramentary of the Apostolic Johannite Church by the Prefect for Liturgy.

In addition to these events, there will also be several presentations, all open to the public:

• The Patriarch’s Address to the Conclave of the Apostolic Johannite Church
• Lecture on St. John the Baptist and Revelation by His Grace, Dr. William Behun, Mar Thomas
• Presentation on the History of the Divine Office by the Rev. Mr. Tim Mansfield, Ph.D.
• Workshop on Hesychasm by Bishop Thomas Langley, Primate of the Alexandrian Gnostic Church

The Apostolic Johannite Church is also happy to announce the ordinations of several worthy S.T.L. students of St. Raphael the Archangel Seminary:

• The Rev. Mrs. Juliana Carnes to the Holy Diaconate for the Apostolic Johannite Church in San Francisco
• The Rev. Mr. Anthony Silvia to the Holy Diaconate for the Apostolic Johannite Church in Boston
• The Rev. Deacon Stu Berry, M.A. to the Sacred Order of the Priesthood for the Apostolic Johannite Church, to serve with Regina Coeli Parish in Victoria
• The Rev. Mr. Tim Mansfield, Ph.D. to the Sacred Order of the Priesthood for the Apostolic Johannite Church in Sydney, Australia

As always there will be plenty of fellowship, fun, and likely a few surprises- and we hope you will join with us.

The Apostolic Johannite Church is proud to announce the incardination of the Rev. Father Norman Kraft, STL.From Father Kraft’s upcoming Bio on the Johannite website:

“Originally from southern California, Fr. Norman Kraft is an author, speaker, educator and health care professional living in Salem, Massachusetts.

Following undergraduate studies, he entered an Orthodox Catholic seminary in 1986, graduating with his Licentiate in Sacred Theology(STL) three years later. Father Kraft has served in the Orthodox Church, the Congregational Church, and in several chaplaincy roles. Inthe 1990’s he devoted several years of chaplaincy and service to people with AIDS in southern California. He incardinated to thePriesthood in the Apostolic Johannite Church in 2007. In addition to this work, Father Kraft is a dedicated student ofChinese medicine, philosophy and martial arts. He holds a masters degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine, is a licensed acupuncturist,and has maintained a clinical practice since 1980. He has lectured and written widely on the subjects of Chinese medicine and psychiatry.His current ministry is focused on health care chaplaincy, especially in the field of death, dying and grief (thanatology). As an expressionof this ministry, Fr. Kraft volunteers his time to work with local hospice organizations and hospitals in Massachusetts.

A gnostic and theological syncretist, he is currently pursuing a MTh/PhD degree, drawing inspiration from Western monastic andcontemplative traditions, Chinese Taoism, Buddhism, and Native American (Athabascan) religious systems.

An Adept of the Aurum Solis Order, Norman Kraft is the author of “Ogdoadic Magick” (Weiser, 2001) a well-regarded work for newcomers tothe Ogdoadic tradition. He currently leads an Ogdoadic working group, the “Lapis Lazuli Circle” (www.ogdoadic.org).

Father Kraft married his wife Jeanie, also a health care professional, at Abbaye Notre-Dame d’Aiguebelle, a Cistercian monastery in southernFrance in 2001. Together they enjoy travel and ancient churches, and are regular visitors to monasteries in the U.S.”

Since joining the Apostolic Johannite Church, Fr. Kraft has served as a resource for clergy, laity and seminarians alike, bringing to the table his significant understanding of praxis, history and his gentle wisdom.

If his time so far can be taken as an indication, and the Apostolic Council of the Apostolic Johannite Church has expressed their confidence with a unanimous vote to that effect, we can indeed look forward to many years of continued humble and devoted service to the substantial ministerial work that Father Kraft is actively engaged in.

The Patriarch of the Apostolic Johannite Church

I had the honor and pleasure to be able to take a trip to Boston, and meet with the members of St. Sarah’s Narthex in Massachusetts. It was an amazing trip. I spent several days with Reverend Mister Anthony Silvia in Lowell, MA; did some site-seeing, visited with my Sexton Donald Donato, celebrated the Rev. Mr.’s birthday, and saw a wonderful set of small plays directed and managed by Anthony. I was able to meet with Reverend Norman Kraft, of Salem, Massachusetts, and personally welcome him into the clergy.

I also had the opportunity to say the Divine Liturgy for St. Sarah’s in Haverhill, MA, on January 12, 2008. His Grace Thomas Langley and Reverned Mister Anthony Paul were in attendance, from the Alexandrian Gnostic Church, as well as Sister Pamela from the Order of St. Esclarmonde, Brother Eric from the Order of Allogenes, and a new member. Rev. Mr. Anthony Silvia’s parents were also in attendence. It was well received by all participants. I was able to present St. Sarah’s with a set of ampullae to add to their accumulation of liturgical supplies.

I am thankful that I had the good fortune to be able to travel out at this time, and enjoyed meeting each and every one of you. I hope to continue my habit of traveling around the world to visit our growing Church. Your efforts are all greatly appreciated, and I hope that my visits are beneficial to all. I know it can be tough to be a gnostic group, often the only gnostic group in several states, and I hope my visits can draw us all together and community and understanding.

As far as I know, my next visit will be San Francisco, for Conclave, May 7-11. However, I’m always willing to entertain the idea of visiting elsewhere, so don’t hesitate to ask.

May Grace and Gnosis be with you all.

Fr. Scott Rassbach+

The Apostolic Johannite Church is pleased to mark the visit of The Most Reverend Thomas Langley, Ep.Gn, The Primate of the Alexandrian Gnostic Church,  to Calgary.

The Patriarch received Bishop Langley at his home for discussion on mutual goals, concerns and issues.  On St. John’s Day following, both Bishops participated in liturgy, as well as a recognition and strengthening of the ties that exist historically between the two jurisdictions.

The Apostolic Johannite Church and Alexandrian Gnostic Church have each expressed a desire for future work and collaboration, in the spirit of harmony and fraternity in the years to come.

As a part of these goals, the clergy and laity of the Alexandrian Gnostic Church will be attending a gathering at St. Sarah’s Narthex in Boston, MA, in January- which will be attended in whole or in part by The Reverend Father Scott Rassbach of Madison, The Reverend Father Norman Kraft of Salem and the Reverend Mr. Anthony Silvia, administrator of St. Sarah’s, as well as members of the Order of St. Esclarmonde, notably Sister Pamela.

On behalf of the Apostolic Council, the whole of the clergy and laity of the Apostolic Johannite Church, and from myself personally, the Apostolic Johannite Church would like to wish you and yours, a very blessed and joyous Christmas. May the peace which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the Divine Beloved, and on each other during this holy season.

Amen.

The Patriarch of the Apostolic Johannite Church