This Site Newly Updated: December 2019
We remain the Original Holy Synod of Christ Catholic Church
Autocephalous since 1937 And Reorganized in 2007
“To announce to Catholic Christians a doctrine other than that which they have received was never permitted, is nowhere permitted, and never will be permitted. It was ever necessary, is everywhere necessary, and ever will be necessary that those who announce a doctrine other than that which was received once and for all be anathema. If this be so, is there anyone alive so bold or so foolish as to accept doctrines besides those accepted by the Church? Crying aloud, crying aloud again and again and again, crying aloud to everyone, always and everywhere throughout his writings, is he, this vessel of election, this doctor of the Gentiles, this trumpet among the Apostles, this herald of the earth, this heaven-conscious man; he is crying aloud that whoever announces a new doctrine is anathema.”
(St. Vincent of Lerins, Commonitories, ch. 9)
—
“May God console you!… What saddens you… is the fact that others have occupied the churches by violence, while during this time you are on the outside. It is a fact that they have the premises – but you have the Apostolic Faith. They can occupy our churches, but they are outside the True Faith. You remain outside the places of worship, but the Faith dwells within you. Let us consider: what is more important, the place or the Faith? The True Faith, obviously. Who has lost and who has won in this struggle – the one who keeps the premises or the one who keeps the Faith? True, the premises are good when the apostolic Faith is preached there; they are holy if everything takes place there in a holy way…
You are the ones who are happy; you who remain within the Church by your Faith, who hold firmly to the foundations of the Faith which has come down to you from Apostolic Tradition. And if an execrable jealousy has tried to shake it on a number of occasions, it has not succeeded. They are the ones who have broken away from it in the present crisis. No one, ever, will prevail against your Faith, beloved brothers. And we believe that God will give us our churches back some day.
Thus, the more violently they try to occupy the places of worship, they more they separate themselves from the Church. They claim that they represent the Church; but in reality, they are the ones who are expelling themselves from it and going astray. Even if Catholics faithful to tradition are reduced to a handful, they are the ones who are the True Church of Jesus Christ.”
(St. Athanasius, Father of Orthodoxy, Defender of the Faith; Letter to his Flock)
Individuals who may divorce and remarry, being reconciled to the Church through the grace of God; are thereby not excluded from the Sacraments. This is not a variance in Doctrine, only in discipline.
Artificial contraception is not endorsed, per Humanae Vitae, promulgated by His late Holiness Paul VI.
All baptized Orthodox Catholics are invited to participate in the worship and sacraments of the Church; with belief in the Real Prescence of the Sacrament, for taking Communion in participation in the Holy Eucharist.
We do not officially endorse the Declaration of Utrecht, formulated by Old Catholic Bishops assembled September 24, 1889, as it is really their document, (though many American groups feign obeisance to them when they are not truly affiliated with them). We were affiliated with the Old Catholics of Utrecht until 1937; and since 1937, we have ceased to be affiliated with Utrecht, when we severed connections with Archbishop W.H.F. Brothers, who at the time was acting as Exarch for America for the Utrecht Old Catholic Church. We do however; endorse the Statement issued by Archbishop Mathew, when he severed realtions with the Utrecht Church, and accept that as an official document of this Church.
Priests who have left other Catholic Churches because they fell in love with a woman and married (a woman) may join Christ Old Catholic Church if they are otherwise fit to Serve and the Archbishop approves their service.
Priests are given the option to use any liturgy that has had prior approval from the Archbishop.
The Bible is clear on the issue of homosexuality as sin and rebellion against God, as is sacred tradition and the universal teaching of the church fathers.
A homosexual is barred from seminary and all ministry by canon law in our jurisdiction, and will not be accepted as a candidate for Holy Orders at any time. Only men can be ordained, as per Sacred Tradition of the Church, since the time of the Apostles onward.
I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.I believe one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not maded, of one substance with the Father, through Him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation, He came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and became man.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and He suffered and was buried.
On the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge both the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets.
In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I look for the resurrection of the dead.
And the life of the world to come. Amen.
A Sacramental Church The Seven Sacraments of the Church
The Holy Synod of Christ Catholic Church recognizes and administers seven Mysterion or Sacraments as channels of Divine Grace. The New Testament records the institution by our Lord, or the practice by the Apostles, of every Sacrament except Matrimony. The latter sacrament, however, is authenticated by the presence of our Lord at the marriage at Cana.
Baptism (gateway to the Sacraments) makes one a Christian, a child of God, and a member of the Body of Christ, His Kingdom on earth. It begins our new life in God. (St. Matt. 28:19; St. John 3:5)
Confirmation (Chrismation) gives new life by the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are anointed with Holy Chrism (oil consecrated by a Bishop) and become one with the priesthood of all believers. (Acts 8:14-17)
”The Mysterion of Repentance”
(Confession, Penance) reclaims those who have fallen from grace after Baptism. Just as we have the Sacrament of Baptism to effect our union with God and His Kingdom in the first place, so we have this Sacrament to restore that union when it has been broken by sin. Through this Sacrament our sins are forgiven and we can make a new beginning. (St. Matt. 19:19, 18:18)This is part of every Eucharist.
Holy Eucharist
(Divine Liturgy, Holy Mass) unites our individualities with God as the human and divine natures were first united in the Incarnation. In this Sacrament, we partake actually and truly of the Body and Blood of Christ for the nourishment of our souls and bodies, for eternal life. (St. Matt. 26:26-29)
Holy Orders
(Ordination), is the means whereby the Church conducts its work. In this Sacrament, the grace of God descends upon the laying-on of hands by an Apostolic Bishop. This Rite, which is recorded several times in Scripture, has provided an uninterrupted succession from the Apostles. (St. John 15:16, II Timothy 1:6)
Holy Unction was a practice of the Apostles during our Lord’s ministry. In this Sacrament, we receive anointing with blessed oil for the healing of infirmities, both of the soul and the body. (St. Mark 6:13; St. James 5:14)
Marriage is the Sacrament which joins a man and woman in a Holy Union before God. As Christ, by his presence, blessed the marriage at Cana, he also blesses the marriage of those who are members of his Church. (St. John 4) Living the Faith Today, as in all times, “the world, the flesh, and the devil” are very much with us. It is not possible for an individual, or for a family, to live a truly Christian life apart form the Church and its Sacraments. *
We do not presume to come to this thine altar, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thine altar. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
Christ Catholic Ministries
Our Lord Jesus is still the Light of the world, shining brightly in the midst of the darkness of a world that has refallen into the depravity of the pagan age. Still He calls to us to come Home to Him. The Father made A WAY IN A MANGER, to LEAD to the CROSS, by which Our Lord has secure the salvation for us that He was born into this world to provide. Literally, he was born TO DIE. Not because of sin, for He never sinned. But for sin, as He who laid among the shepherds' lambs of Bethlehem, was the true sacrifice Lamb. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Let Him be Born in your heart today, if you do not know Him personally. The New Birth of Water and Holy Spirit at Holy Baptism will wash away your sins and bring you into the light of the life of Christ. He still changes and renew the lives of men everywhere. He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. May the Peace of Christ reign in your hearts; David+
