What is the E.G.C?
Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica (E.G.C.), or the Gnostic Catholic Church, is the ecclesiastical arm of Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.). The E.G.C. is a Thelemic religious environment, dedicated to the advancement of Light, Life, Love, and Liberty through alignment with the Law of Thelema.
Brief History of the E.G.C.
The name "Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica" was coined by Aleister Crowley when he wrote the Gnostic Mass for O.T.O. in 1913 e.v., in so doing Crowley initiated what could be considered the the British (and Thelemic) permutation of the Gnostic revival which began 23 years earlier with Jules Doinel (1890), and evolved into versions led by Jean Bricaud & Gerard Encausse (1907, named l’Église Catholique Gnostique or, later, l’Église Gnostique Universelle),and further into Germany by Theodor Reuss (ca 1908-1911 as Die Gnostische Katholische Kirche).
Reuss translated the Gnostic Mass into German and published it in 1918 e.v., adopting it as an official rite of the Gnostic Catholic Church; and proclaiming himself "Sovereign Patriarch and Primate of the Gnostic Catholic Church," as well as Gnostic Legate to Switzerland for Bricaud's Universal Gnostic Church. Reuss's publication of the Gnostic Mass constituted the formal acceptance of the Law of Thelema by the Gnostic Catholic Church, and its formal declaration of independence from Bricaud's Universal Gnostic Church.
While E.G.C. traces its historic origins to the French Gnostic revival of the turn of the century, it has declared itself independent from the Christian Universal Gnostic Church and its successors, and is no longer considered to be a Christian Church. E.G.C. does not administer Christian Sacraments. Its ecclesiastical powers are founded on a spiritual succession from the Master Therion and the constituent originating assemblies of O.T.O., rather than on Christian Apostolic Succession.
The theology, doctrines and sacramental theory of E.G.C. are based on the principles of the Thelemic Religion. Its rites and ceremonies are eclectic in form (drawing upon the sacerdotal practices of a wide variety of cultures and historical religious systems), but are fundamentally Thelemic in character. The traditional doctrines, theology, canon law, and insignia of the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Jacobite Churches do not operate within E.G.C.
Membership in E.G.C.
There are three recognized subclasses of Church membership:
1. The Clergy
- The Father/Mother of the Church (Frater Superior Hymenaeus Beta, O.H.O.)
- The Primate (Sabazius X° in the U.S.)
- Bishops (The Episcopate)
- Priests & Priestesses (The Priesthood)
- Deacons (The Diaconate)
2. Lay Members (The Laity)
3. Bishops in Amity (Advisory membership)
The Laity
Baptism is open to any person at least 11 years old. Baptism by itself does not confer Lay Membership. Baptism for any person less than 18 years of age requires the prior written consent of a parent or legal guardian.
Confirmation is open to any person who has been baptized and who has attained the age of puberty. Baptism and Confirmation are public ceremonies. Initiation within O.T.O. is not required to establish Lay Membership in E.G.C. (and visa versa). Both rituals can be administered by a bishop, or an ordained priestess or priest.