"Enlighten your mind... Light the lamp within you. Knock on yourself as if upon a door and walk upon yourself as upon a straight road. For if you walk on the road, it is impossible for you to go astray. Open the door for you so that you may know what it is."
– Silvanus

Vocations - Holy Orders

Formerly known as the Formation Program of the Apostolic Johannite Church, St. Raphael the Archangel Theological Seminary is an eight-semester distance education program towards a Licentiate of Sacred Theology (STL) and Ordination to the Apostolic Priesthood in a Gnostic Christian tradition. Founded in 2000, St. Raphael has ordained five graduates and currently has ten active seminarians. 

Coursework explores history, theology, philosophy, logic, ethics, and ministry and the law. Academics largely take the form of readings and essays, and the course load is structured in such a way as to allow students to continue full time employment or studies. Additionally, the process of priestly formation takes place in the context of practice: community volunteer work, journalling and creative work, personal spiritual practice and ongoing dialogue between the seminarian and the Directors.

The Seminary accepts two intakes per year, at the Feast Days of the two Sts. John; June 24th and December 27th. Applicants provide proof of identification (copy of birth certificate and photo ID such as a passport or driver's license), criminal background check and a 1000 word essay on their spiritual journey and why they suspect a vocation to the priesthood. There is no tuition for seminarians, but a non-refundable fee of $99 is required upon registration.

The Seminary accepts all adult students regardless of gender, orientation, or religious background. While all coursework can be completed via distance, attendance at an annual Conclave is expected, and graduation does require travel to the nearest AJC bishop.

Academic Overview:

Year 1:
Semester I Introduction and Terminology
Semester II Ethics

Year 2:
Semester III Gnosticism and Sacred Space
Semester IV History and Tradition

Year 3:
Semester V Mysticism and Sacramental Theology
Semester VI The Church and the Saints

Year 4:
Semester VII The Priesthood
Semester VIII Gnosis and Theosis

At some point in the process of Formation, seminarians are expected to enter the Minor Orders of the Church (Ostariate, Lectorate, Exorcistate and Acolytate), assist in liturgy and participate in parish life.

Ordinands should read the website of the Apostolic Johannite Church website thoroughly before application.

Vocations - Religious Life

The Order of Saint Esclarmonde is a Gnostic, monastic lay Order open to women and men, sponsored by both the Gnostic Church of Mary Magdalene and the Apostolic Johannite Church. Novices are not required to be members of either church.

The purpose of the Order is to provide structure to committed, solitary, traditional spiritual practice. Nuns and Monks of the Order commit to mindfulness, daily contemplation, and community action through charitable works. During daily prayer, nuns and monks wear the traditional white alb and white cincture as both a reminder of their connection to others undertaking this work, and as a symbol of purification.

Saint Esclarmonde was an early 13th century Cathar mystic. She is traditionally identified as the woman who successfully debated the virtues of Catharism against the founder of the Inquisition, St. Dominic. Legend has it that when the Inquisition finally came to take her to her execution, she turned into a dove and flew away. Her legend was romanticized during the Napoleonic era to the point where she became a kind of Cathar Joan of Arc and patroness of the revival of art and mysticism of the 19th century.

The Proctor for female novices is Reverend Mother Marsha Emrick+ of the GCMM, while male novices are Proctored by Monsignor Jordan Stratford+ of the AJC. Aspirants are required to provide the following:

1. A photocopy of government-issued picture identification

2. A criminal background check

3. A 1000 word essay on their spritual journey

4. A curriculum vitae

5. A letter of reference

Toolkit:

Etymology

Greek Lexicon

Latin Dictionary

Ecclesiastical Terms

Corpus Hermeticum

Early Christian Writings

Logical Fallacies

Rules of Engagement