NOTE ON THE APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION
by Tau Melchizedek

The Ecclesia Gnostica Aeterna transmits (amongst others) the historical lineage of the Apostolic Succession. Now what does that mean to us?

"You are a chosen generation, a royal Priesthood." (I Peter 2.9)

The Apostolic Succession is the oldest historical spiritual transmission in existence. It originates with the Master (Jesus) Christ and the Apostles and has been carried down through history by the Catholic and Orthodox churches. It can be transmitted only by Bishops as the historical successors of the Apostles. In the latter part of the nineteenth century, valid lines of Apostolic Succession were transmitted into independent church groups of Europe, England, and America, much to the chagrin of Roman and other church hierarchies. After years of legal battling in ecclesiastical and secular courts, the Catholic and Orthodox churches were forced to recognize the validity of these "irregular" Apostolic orders. This Apostolic Succession provides a powerful and direct link to the Master Jesus and his Apostles and thus roots in even older rites. It becomes a vital tool for Inner transformation through reflections, meditations, Sacraments and Holy Orders. Although we do have occasional and regular visitors and attendants at our Masses and other activities, most members strive towards Holy Orders.

While our members may have any kind or religious background or interest, the Apostolic Succession remains one of the most important pillars on which the Church rests. The Apostolic Succession does not equal the Catholic or Orthodox churches and their errors in the past and present. The Apostolic Succession is a spiritual transmission from the Master Jesus Christ and thus an empowerment independent from any organization.

The Apostolic Succession allows us to work with tools provided by the one of the greates spiritual masters, Jesus Christ. We do not agree with the catholic and orthodox interpretations of Christ, their dogmas and teachings. We are devoted to restoring the authentic spiritual and initiatory teachings passed on by Jesus Christ as tools towards personal spiritual transformation and liberty. The main goal for a Gnostic is personal tranformation and pneumatic awareness. To achieve this state of development, every member of the Church is free to use whatver spiritual technique and method from any tradition that he may find useful for his work. However, in the Church, the Apostolic Succession remains the central sacramental and initiatory empowerment with which we plant the seeds of Gnostic transformation. The Apostolic Succession is the Initiation and Consecration itself in the Mystery of our Holy Order.

Short Note: Due to Tau Melchizedeks Consecration by Tau Raymond in Spain 2002, and his Consecration by Hierophant Michael Bertiaux in Chicago, Illinois, USA, New Year 2004, various gnostic and esoteric lineages come together in EGAe as well as all (then) valid lineages of the Apostolic Succession.

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