​Servants of the Divine Name
Confraternity of the Gnostic Catholic Apostolic Ecclesia

​The Confraternity of the Servants of the Divine Name (SDN) is a lay order of the Gnostic Church, instituted in devotion to the Divine Name. The SDN emphasizes Gnosticism, the French Gnostic Church and Hierophantic tradition, and traditional spiritual practices for Gnostic Church adherents. The SDN enables adherents of the Gnostic faith worldwide to be in active unity with the Gnostic Church and its traditional spiritual practices.

Purpose
The purpose of the SDN is:

• To foster devotion to the Divine Name. The SDN promotes the use of chant in liturgy and ritual, and education in the practice of techniques of vibrating the Divine Name.
  
  
• To advance the pursuit of Gnosis and the study of Gnosticism and Gnostic scriptures, particularly in view of the exegesis offered by the Gnostic Church.

 

• To strengthen ties between valid Gnostic Ecclesia, Martinist Orders, and Rose+Croix Orders. The SDN provides an atmosphere of Fraternity and mutual support among those who are dedicated to the inherent Gnosis within Martinist, Martinéziste, Masonic, Rosicrucian, Templar, and Hermetic Orders and Rites.

 

• To preserve the long-standing mission of the French Gnostic Church as l'Église des Initiés ("The Church of the Initiated").

Motto
Prefiguring the Aesthetic Rose+Croix, and in harmony with it, the Confraternity has as its motto: Ars famula pro gnosis est, which translated is “Art is the servant of the Gnosis”. The Lost Name or Lost Word, also referred to as the “Lost Chord,” from time immemorial has reverberated through all nature and perfects its expression in all the worlds through art, architecture, astro-geometry, and the music the spheres. 

Membership
Membership in the SDN is offered to as many men and women as possible, worldwide, who pursue Gnosis, and who:

• Pledge devotion to the Divine Name.
• Promise to support the cause of the Confraternity.
• Affirm a belief in God, a divine intelligence or a Supreme Power.
• Promise to exercise patience, respect, benevolence, understanding and love towards their brothers and sisters and toward all humanity. 
• Promise to bear in mind that the purpose of the Confraternity is not to establish dogmatizing Masters or impose doctrines and rules, but instead to gather together humble students devoted to the pursuit of Truth, and respect for the dictates of individual conscience.

There are four stages in religious formation:

• Initial discernment. The candidate submits a completed application, and is interviewed.
• Postulant. The postulant participates in the prayers of the Church and is regarded as an adherent of the Church.
• Novice. The novice deepens his or her commitment by taking a vow to support the aims and ideals of the Confraternity.
• Professed. The professed is Initiated. 

The SDN does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, nationality, political ideology, class, or social condition.

Structure
The SDN is composed of individual members worldwide, and Chapters of the Divine Name. A member may or may not participate in a Chapter when one exists in the member's locale.

Fees
Initiations and studies are entirely free of charge. 

If you are interested in joining the SDN, please contact us to request a Petition for Membership.