The Nature of the Gnostic Church
By Marie Chauvel de Chauvignie (Sophia Escarlamonde Bishop of Warsaw)
Beyond these general principles which we have rapidly outlined, the Gnostic Church imposes no dogma and does not put itself in contradiction with any others, because it does not adopt the same view point of exoteric religions with which it cannot (should not) enter into struggle of competition.
It does not admit the doctrine of original sin, or eternal damnation or of the resurrection of the body; but professes (“a similar doctrine to” is implied here) the Hindu doctrine, “that all beings will be saved, that is reintegrated at the moment the Universe will disappear in the “Night of Bhahma,” for it is inadmissible that any of the divine rays which are spread out in creation could not return towards his Principle.
That is that we believe in the Eternal Spirit which is in us, and that He benefits through the formal and other modifications of his conscience and omni-conscience. (Meaning of the sentence unclear in the original.)
The Gnostic Church confers the triple baptism, the Sacrament of Purification ---without imposing auricular confession, fasting, or macerations.
It distributes the Holy Eucharist in two species, in representation of the mystical body and blood of Our Savior Jesus-Christ.
The Gnostic Church admits, like it was in antiquity, the right of woman to sacerdotal functions; and while considering that continence is a superior state and the most powerful ascetic method, it does not impose celibacy on its priests.
Its morality is eminently pure.
Its liturgy, like its morals, have the same principal elements as other Christian Churches ---either Greek, Latin or French--- and have the most sublime invocations for which it (the Church) produces high symbols and sacred theurgical rites, which are today neglected or misunderstood by those who were constituted their guardians.
It has the same glorious mysteries of which it has been able, through prostrating itself, to lift a corner of the veil.
It does not require blind Faith, but Faith illuminated by Reason and holds that by this principle all can be explained “naturally” under the light of this torch.
On God it imposes nothing but the desire to know him and the force (élan) of Love.
Towards our Brothers ---including our inferior brothers in all the realms of creation--- it preaches charity which, when envisaged universally, is identical to Divine Love.
(Found in ‘Bref Exposé de la Doctine Gnostique,’ in Province de Cerdagne, 1913.)
Beyond these general principles which we have rapidly outlined, the Gnostic Church imposes no dogma and does not put itself in contradiction with any others, because it does not adopt the same view point of exoteric religions with which it cannot (should not) enter into struggle of competition.
It does not admit the doctrine of original sin, or eternal damnation or of the resurrection of the body; but professes (“a similar doctrine to” is implied here) the Hindu doctrine, “that all beings will be saved, that is reintegrated at the moment the Universe will disappear in the “Night of Bhahma,” for it is inadmissible that any of the divine rays which are spread out in creation could not return towards his Principle.
That is that we believe in the Eternal Spirit which is in us, and that He benefits through the formal and other modifications of his conscience and omni-conscience. (Meaning of the sentence unclear in the original.)
The Gnostic Church confers the triple baptism, the Sacrament of Purification ---without imposing auricular confession, fasting, or macerations.
It distributes the Holy Eucharist in two species, in representation of the mystical body and blood of Our Savior Jesus-Christ.
The Gnostic Church admits, like it was in antiquity, the right of woman to sacerdotal functions; and while considering that continence is a superior state and the most powerful ascetic method, it does not impose celibacy on its priests.
Its morality is eminently pure.
Its liturgy, like its morals, have the same principal elements as other Christian Churches ---either Greek, Latin or French--- and have the most sublime invocations for which it (the Church) produces high symbols and sacred theurgical rites, which are today neglected or misunderstood by those who were constituted their guardians.
It has the same glorious mysteries of which it has been able, through prostrating itself, to lift a corner of the veil.
It does not require blind Faith, but Faith illuminated by Reason and holds that by this principle all can be explained “naturally” under the light of this torch.
On God it imposes nothing but the desire to know him and the force (élan) of Love.
Towards our Brothers ---including our inferior brothers in all the realms of creation--- it preaches charity which, when envisaged universally, is identical to Divine Love.
(Found in ‘Bref Exposé de la Doctine Gnostique,’ in Province de Cerdagne, 1913.)