DO NOT SIGN UNTIL YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE COMPLETE AGREEMENT WHICH INCLUDES THE INCARDINATION/ORDINATION AGREEMENT.
See
Notice at the end of these forms before you begin to write… and be sure when you sign that you have
a competent, verifiable, witness who will complete the Witness portion.
This Clergy Agreement and Application applies only to incardination or acceptance into the AMERICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH - North American Orthodox Church under His Eminence, Metropolitan Archbishop +Joseph Thaddeus, SSJt., Ph.D. and those to whom you may be assigned to.
Clergy
Agreement
I, the undersigned, make this agreement with
the American Orthodox Church, a State of
California Non-Profit Corporation under the
laws governing Religious Not-For-Profit “Sole”
Corporations and the North American Orthodox Church (A New Mexico Non-Profit
Religious corporation) and/or such other Non-Profit Religious Corporations, with International administrative
offices in the State of New Mexico, U.S.A.,
in testimony of my faith and willingness
to abide by the requirements of my (“pending”)
Ordination and/or acceptance (Incardination) into any
one of the various sacerdotal degrees leading
up to and/or including the Priesthood and/or
Episcopacy; knowing that due to laws of various
States of the United States of America, I
am obliged to ensure that the Church is not
held accountable for any acts or actions
that I may personally take or make on my
own without having fully obtained a blessing
(approval in writing) from my Superior (Abbot or
Bishop) under whom I may come to serve this One, Holy, Orthodox, Catholic and
Apostolic Church. Therefore,
of my own free will, I do state the following:
I am not now nor
will I be a paid employee of the Church
hereinabove named, expecting no fiduciary or medical benefits, no other
incentives of a material nature whatsoever.
I am responsible to the above named church
as hereinabove named through any one or more of its officers or prelates
as regards acts or actions that I may take or make in the name of church
hereinabove named, only when I have received approval, in writing, from
my ecclesiastical superior.
If I should develop, have developed,
or be assigned a congregation or parish, I shall in no wise establish a
bank account or do any other thing that might, could or would have a fiduciary
impact on the above named church or jurisdiction without prior approval in writing, and
that I shall equally be held responsible for reporting to both the Diocese
and/or the Primatial Office of the above named churches, all income to
the parish or institute under my authority or to which I may be assigned, on either a monthly or quarterly
basis, showing all deposits and withdrawals therefrom, even if such is
controlled by a parish board.
My counseling of parishioners shall be
dictated by standards of ethical procedures and practices approved by the
above named church or jurisdiction.
I shall hold harmless from any and all
liability, the above named church or jurisdiction; it/their officers, prelates and assignees
or representative(s),
for any act or action which I may take that is not approved which might,
could or would reflect either civilly or ecclesiastically upon the corporation
of any of the above named Churches or jurisdictions and those religious institutions under
it/them, its or their lawful Board of Directors or Synod
of Bishops.
I shall continue to pursue studies in
the faith at all times possible through the Western Orthodox Theological
Institute and/or St. John Chrysostom University with the approval of my
Superior.
I shall refrain from involvement and/or
Inter-Communion, Prayer and/or other Liturgical Service in or with churches
of other Christian or non-Christian faiths, which are considered heterodox or
members of those deemed by my religious superiors to be synchrestic ecumenists,
such as also includes the Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches and
the World Council of Bishops; a violation of the Seven Ecumenical Councils and
to the teachings of the Orthodox and Catholic faith of the above named
church or jurisdiction, except in special circumstances wherein prior approval from my
superior is required on a case by case instance for evangelizing and/or
catechizing the people is needed.
Should I be elevated and/or consecrated
a Bishop of the Church or jurisdiction, I shall not ordain to the priesthood any candidate
without the prior approval in writing, or a blessing from the Metropolitan Archbishop under whom I
serve or shall serve, and/or the Synod of Bishops, unless I have
been given autocephalous status after having been consecrated or accepted
as a duly recognized valid Bishop, reporting to the President of the Synod of
Bishops all who have been or are to be ordained and/or consecrated if I am a
legitimate bishop in good standing.
To all the Bishops, Archbishops, Metropolitan
Archbishops of the above named churches, I shall humble myself
in regards to the faith, both oral and written, as handed to them, for
they are Apostles who have come from a line of Apostles in the One, Holy,
Orthodox, Catholic Christian and Apostolic Church founded by Our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, I shall in no wise place
the Church or jurisdiction or its Apostles in a situation wherein the faith and teachings
are compromised either as regards the Canons of the Church first and Civil
Law second.
I shall in no way make use of the Church
Seal(s) outside of religious purposes and only where duly authorized in writing
by my religious superiors and may not make use of said Seal
of the Church or jurisdiction Corporation in civil matters which is/are reserved to the
above named church or jurisdiction national body, and/or my ecclesiastical superiors.
I shall not make use of the name of the
above named church or jurisdiction without the use of the Province or Diocese or Holy Order
name to which I may be attached if I am permitted.
Nothing of the above shall prejudice
against the ecclesiastical offices and positions or prerogatives of the
Metropolitan Archbishops of the above named churches as defined by the Charter, which may
be issued after approval by the Corporation Executive Board and the Synod
of Bishops of one or all of the above named churches, after approval has
been obtained. Charters
are issued to parishes, and other religious institutions under a validly
ordained clergy person recognized by the above named church, annually,
or quarterly, or bi-annually.
I shall make known my full and complete
educational background, any and all criminal history (which shall not necessarily
prejudice the applicant), complete religious affiliations, educational and other background
history, as well as any other information which may not be covered by this
agreement but which may impinge upon or impact the Church, including my
providing an up-to-date color photograph of myself.
In no way shall I associate or allow
my church or those whom I shepherd as a part of the flock of the Church,
to be a member of any group or entity that is not sanctioned by the above
named Churches to which this application/incardination applies, which shall
automatically include my not being further affiliated with any other Church
as a member, including the Council of Churches, World Council of Churches,
World Council of Bishops and such other heretical organizations.
I shall abide by and maintain
the Creeds, the Seven Ecumenical Councils of ancient times, the Seals of the
Confessional (a primary pillar of the Church Catholic) and those particular and
specific Canons of this Jurisdiction including its By-Laws and Codes.
I release
the above churches from any and all liability for sharing such information
gained from this application/incardination, Clergy Agreement, should I be
accepted and later leave to go to another Church or jurisdiction who may
make inquiry and to whom the information may be provided.
This
agreement is binding upon me even though I may or may not reside in the
particular state of incorporation of the United States of America, therefore
being bound by International laws in those countries, especially the country
of my own residence, who have subscribed to abide by those laws of the
Country to which this document originates for purposes of litigation.
I fully understand that should any part of this agreement be invalid in a particular State, Province or Country in which I reside and wherein I affix my signature, the remainder of this agreement is not invalid except and only that part not in accord with the legal jurisdiction in which I reside.
I further understand that if I am accepted, I shall, in good time, be issued a Church Identification Card showing particular information and a photo that I must use in tandem with either my Driver's License and/or State, Province or County Identification card or passport and the information provided by me for the Identification as taken from this agreement is true and accurate.
By my signature below I signify and attest
that I have read, fully understand and agree with all that is contained
hereinabove
A copy of this agreement shall have the same force and effect as its original.
In
witness whereof, I do place my signature this _____ day of ___________,
200__ to all that is contained herein.
(Secular Name) Signature:
___________________________________________________________________
Printed (Secular) Name:
_____________________________________________________________________
As it appears on either your Driver's License or Identification Card (State,
Province, or Country) and/or Passport. (Please supply a photo-copy of the
item you are using).
Printed Religious Name (being used or to be used):
__________________________________________________[
_____ ] Initialed
Witness:
I,
the undersigned, know the person whose signature and name is affixed herein
above. I know the person whose name is hereinabove subscribed, or
he has proven to me with such identification (State of ___________ Driver’s
License or Identification #_________________ which expires on: _____________________,
200__) that he is the same person, and that he is over the age of twenty-one
(21) years, appearing to be of good sound mind, under no duress, fraud
or coercion and displayed to me full and complete knowledge of the document
to which he has affixed his signature and hand this ____________ day of
_________________, 200___.
Signature of Witness:
______________________________________________________
Printed Name of Witness:
__________________________________________________
Residence Address of Witness:
______________________________________
City: ______________________
State:
______, Zip: ____________
Further
Instructions as to the above, and/or other form(s) to be completed appears below.
INSTRUCTIONS: (Print out this form)