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Abraham's Sons
Sudarium Our Faith Old Catholic
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Catechism:
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Sts Cyril & Methodius Orthodox Church260 Lauer Road
We are an independent jurisdiction of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church whose head is Jesus Christ Our Lord and we are ruled by a Patriarch and a body of governing bishops. We hold valid
apostolic succession (table 1) including 17 diverse unbroken lines ofapostolic succession (table 2) descending from the Apostles and apostolic bodies (table 3). These are authentic and our sacraments are both recognized and valid, our
priestly orders maintained in the age old system of bishop, priest and deacon. We believe in the REAL presence of Christ in the sacrament of the altar and maintain a closed communion.
We have a traditional faith . We are liturgy centered in the Divine Liturgy with a common worship as our primary christian duty. We have three approved Liturgies with an all male clergy, both celibate and married. All priests and bishops are "working" clergy, meaning that the earned income in a profession supports their established mission or parish which is under the episcopal administration of this jurisdiction. The Lord's Prayer is CONDITIONAL and whenever it is said it is asking God 'conditionally' for forgiveness of our sins in the 'same manner' that we offer it to others. If we do not accept and forgive others, we cannot obtain forgiveness of our sins, and God refuses to accept our sacrificial offerings -- we therefore can receive Communion with a full and peaceful heart.
Love of God comes from the heart and spreads to others. God shared in our human nature, and by His Promise we shall also share in His Divinity, if we keep the orthodox faith and practice on earth. The Orthodox Church believes and teaches that its
existence is based upon that which
WAS ONCE AND FOR ALL DELIVERED TO THE APOSTLES,
and that this deposit of faith is an
expression of the Holy Spirit which has been passed down throughout history within the context of the life of the Church.
Orthodox Tradition, is THAT WHICH IS CONSIDERED TO BE ABSOLUTELY TRUE AND UNCHANGEABLE, and is NOT open to question.
< Christ's promise to his followers was that the Holy Spirit would lead them into all
truth. Consequently we Orthodox believe that faith and its expression in practice constitutes a Holy Tradition evidenced by this guidance, which is not only consistent but verifiable, continuous with
recorded history, without contradiction or
innovation, and is found within authentic apostolic succession.
Sacred Tradition is dynamically within the Holy Spirit's guidance and is contained in the body of our beliefs passed down to us at present by way of our faith and practice.
These traditions include our use of
Scriptures, the Ecumenical Councils, Hagiography,
Patristic Writings, Liturgy and Prayer. And there is no separation between Scripture and Holy Tradition by the Church's definition.
The seven Ecumenical Councils are those which the ENTIRE existing leadership of the Church attended and which we hold in common. This was done to affirm the dogmas of the Church and to act against heretical teaching.
Hagiography concerns the
lives of the saints who are NOT just those who have reached a state of perfection but are those WHO HAVE SPENT AN ENTIRE LIFETIME REPENTING.
They have become purer vessels and instruments of God which we recognize after death by honoring their memory and contributions.
They remind us that we are
present with them in the KINGDOM OF GOD; we remember those who have lived holy lives and
reposed in Christ; and we do not worship them but offer honor to what they represent.
Bishops are responsible to see that priests are educated and ordained, thereby authentically licensed to serve the people, by performing liturgy, administering the sacraments and organizing parishes and missions, monasteries and convents, on an ordered
service to the people and to the church.
WHAT IS A VOCATION? AND HOW IS IT FULFILLED
A vocation is from Christ, it is not a course of formal studies, paying out tuition, and is not based on the wishes or desires of men. The call is a feeling that seeks our willingness to accept it and to serve others in ministry. Salvation is for all people, but that is the decision of the individual, but IN ORDER TO ACCEPT THIS FREE GIFT FROM GOD, ONE NEEDS TO BE BAPTIZED. This is the first step in acceptance and to become part of the Mystical Body of Christ.
We require ministers, to teach others, offer them the Sacraments, and to give them their Daily Bread in Communion. To fulfill this mission which Christ has enjoined us to do, we ordain or set apart certain individuals by the laying on of hands and the anointing with oil. This ordaining is an acceptance into service within the church.
Vocation is a firm conviction that God desires that we follow Him, accept His Will, study, continue and strengthen our faith, learn to offer Liturgy and the Sacraments as a priest, or praying for others for their well being and happiness. General studies require that we follow some curriculum.
To see what these areas are, go to the next link Subjects for Study.
NO MINISTER or member is a legal agent "FOR or OF" this not-for-profit corporation and is not legally empowered to act in the name of the SCMC. ONLY the principals of the charter hold valid office, and may act on its behalf. SCMC is exempted from taxes by the IRS, recognized by state government, and functions as outlined in the original foundation charter.
Each minister IS answerable to the SCMC governing board and hierarchy by canon law and is directly under their oversight. If any investigation reveals that serious violations of ethics, morals, laws, or crimes have been committed, or that they depart seriously from the faith and practice of the orthodox church, then sanctions can and will be applied against the purpetrators, up to and including removal, revocation of faculties, nullification of ordination, a return to status of laity, and expulsion if these as judged applicable by our hierarchy and general church governors.
We keep the faith as mutually agreed upon and any violations severs all ties between the individual and this body. Any and all criminal activities discovered by our bishops will result in notification of the appropriate governmental authorities. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." WE IN NO WAY PROMOTE OR AGREE WITH ANY OF THE BANNERS OR POP-UP ADS WHICH APPEAR ON THIS WEBSITE. THIS WEBSITE IS OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE BY ANGELFIRE TO US AS AN EXPRESSION OF PERSONAL OR NON PROFIT USE AND ALL MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS LIKEWISE IS NOT SPONSORED OR PROMOTED BY ANGELFIRE.
Copyright © 2003 Saints Cyril and Methodius Church International. All rights reserved.
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