What is a Canon?

ABOUT THE DATABASE:

Clergy Database.com's  representation by Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox, Chaldean, Coptic,  and now American Orthodox Jurisdictions are happy to join forces with Apostle1.com and affiliates to provide you this database.

For some time now we have joined in, and with, other Orthodox Jurisdictions (Eastern and Western) whereby "Clergydatabase.com" is an acquisition under certain conditions and guidelines of which we wholeheartedly agree.  As a result, Clergydatabase.com and all that was contained in it is also to be a part of our endeavors, including review of our own database by Russian, Greek, Chaldean, Coptic, Ukrainian and several other Orthodox and Traditional Latin Rite Bishops so that we are in compliance with the standards to which Clergydatabase.com has maintained in providing truth which is normally backed up by documentation and other forms of guidance.  With this move, Clergydatabase.com will  be housed at and operated by apostle1.com in that it will amalgamate both databases for North America at this present time. 

The review board for Clergydatabase.com now becomes the same for the clergy data base at apostle1.com.  The review board members will be the same or similar as those previously for Clergydatabase.com.  Members identity are not divulged because of the differences in the religio-political situations that have arisen due to the onslaught of Synchrestic Ecumenism by Protestant and "New Church" (present day Roman Catholic) mentality which has become so prevalent through out the world and especially in North America.  As has happened with this Jurisdiction which operates apostle1.com whereby wolves in sheep's clothing have continuously and erroneously attacked us; we have agreed that board membership will not be open or divulged for the sake of not only their jurisdiction's need, but their own individual need for privacy and that of their clergy and faithful. Thus, all things submitted or which had already been archived, are being reviewed on a case by case instance to ascertain the value and worth of the information without regards for the good, the bad or the ugly so much as such is based, in so far as is possible, on verifiable TRUTH! 

The American Orthodox Church, North American Orthodox Church, American Orthodox Catholic Church and the Catholic Christian Church will be represented only by one member, not four which is as it should be. 

    The information comes from a variety of sources such as the Internet and several books on Apostolic Succession. Like all Apostolic Succession Databases there are errors and omissions in it.  Because information is provided from so very many sources, we also notice that some information may need to be modified, changed or deleted over a period of time because some who are listed are not truly "Orthodox" or even "Catholic" in the fullest sense and meaning.  But because there are those clergy who belong to many questionable 'churches' or claiming validity of the orders from 'Catholic' sources even though they may belong to a protestant-type of group, we have opted to keep them in the database at this time which may be modified or deleted later.

    1.   By "Canonical", we mean true to their confession of the Orthodox and Catholic faith which especially involve observance of the ancient Seven Ecumenical Councils,  Seals of the Confessional, and the true commission and charge of what it means to be a "Monk" - "Nun" -  "Priest" or "Bishop". 

    2.  Differing theologies will not be an impediment as long as they follow the traditions (oral and written) of the undivided church and all the tenets of that jurisdiction or nomenclature they claim to hold to with little to no deviation, ie:  Old Catholic, Old Roman Catholic, Roman Catholic, Traditionalist Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Orthodox Catholic Anglican Orthodox, Celtic, Sedevacantist, etc. will be listed. 

    3.   Some have entered, through a back door of the Church established in ancient times who are neither Eastern or Western Orthodox, Catholic or hold to the tenets of the faith as established by Jesus Christ, the Holy Apostles and Patristic Fathers and the ancient Seven Ecumenical Councils... although on the surface they use the same or similar of rites or rituals and such as to 'pretend' or 'appear' as though they are part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church but who are actually wolves in sheep's clothing... most of them who fit this description are actually members of the heretical Protestant ideologies, theologies, doctrines and dogmas being, in part, Evangelical, Charismatic, Born Again, and many other cultic nomenclatures ... having or holding, in some instances, true lines of apostolic succession but not the commission and charge of the faith to which they were supposed to be ordained and/or consecrated to.  Of them, whom we suspect or it has been alleged fit this description, we have indicated such by symbols, words or phrases. 

   4.   There is another type or group of clergy or persons who, in their having originally entered the faith legitimately, have departed the faith for the more 'soft' approach which is gaining more acceptance in tandem with those who have opted for Synchrestic Ecumenism, such as the present day Roman Jurisdiction of the Catholic Church since the repose of Pope Pius IX.  There are no living "Athonite Benedictine" in America whatsoever. Anyone making claims to being "Athonite" are true wolves in sheep's clothing, regardless of who they may be. The very use of the word "Athonite" means someone from Mt. Athos.  There are many others who, with their various nomenclatured jurisdictions are a part of those whom the Apocrypha describes in part.

Some will believe that "Editorializing" is not to the advantage of the "Church".  We do agree, in part, only to the degree that whatever may be said about any one or more clergy persons should reflect the accuracy of documentation and clergy involved in the individual instance being discussed.  For Example: "A consecration should have all the primary elements of "proper form, matter, intent and true lines by those laying on of hands" upon a candidate (person being consecrated) in order for 'Validity' to be accepted honorably and rightly. Where any one of those elements are missing, the consecration is not only highly supect, but inavlid.  Where there is only a "single-handed" consecration, while acceptable, the individual bishop laying hands upon a candidate should have 'valid' lines.

ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES OF CLERGY PERSONS:

     Clergy are no different than politicians, entertainers, etc. as defined by law.  Clergy Database.com in tandem with Apostle1.com, .net, and .org are informational, educational and research domains.

       Photographic images of an individual clergy person that may exist on the World Wide Internet may have been submitted to us for use. Photographic images are not sold, thus there is no copyright infringement manifested especially when considering the various laws that exist from State to State in which many laws make it rather clear that a clergyman [clergyperson] is no different than a politician or other public person. 

     All photos on our Database are open for copying except those that have been copyrighted by "Clergy Databse.com" and/or "apostle1.com" or the individual with the consent of the person whose photo or image it is.  We have no desire to offend or violate the laws of the land or the person(s) whose image appears if such have actually been copyrighted.  Therefore we ask for your help.

NOTICE TO WEBMASTERS:

     It has been, in the past, claimed by some websites who list clergy with photographic images of clergy, that they have exclusive rights to the photo.  If we do have a photo of a clergy person on our website that is "owned" by that of another website, and which is considered an 'infringement' of copyrights, it is requested that the website owner submit to us by U.S. MAIL a "Notarized" signed statement from the individual whose photo it is, so that it may be removed from our database. This is asked, requested and is therefore A REQUIREMENT so that all involved can avoid un-necessary court action. 

Because of previous attempts by another web site owner in the past  who claimed that he owned, exclusively, the photo of various clergy, having later been found that most of them were not copyrighted with permission of the individual(s) whose image(s) was being displayed, it has become necessary that the individual themselves provide the "Notarized" signed statement as required above if their photo is exclusively copyrighted by a website listing clergy. A notarized signed statement must be dated within a 90 day (3 months) period for it to be accepted as valid as verification will be made.  The dating of the Notarized Statement in tandem with the postmark on the envelope will be the determining factor.  We believe this is fair and equitable under the law.

     If we do not receive a signed Notarized statement from the individual whose photo it is,  showing that the photo is for a particular website being claimed, we are not lawfully required or bound to abide by such requests to remove a photo image by claimed by any web site owner or his/their assignees, representatives, etc..  In the alternative, have the individual contact us directly  in writing at our Mailing Address Only: P. O. Box 1652, Columbus, NM 88029 U.S.A. following the above requirements for a notarized statement. 

Note: Remember, clergy are no different than politicians, entertainers, and other public figures as defined by law.  Apostle1.com, .net, and .org are Non-Profit Religious, informational, educational and research domains.

     If you, personally desire your photo included or changed, write a letter stating the same, including your 1) full civil (secular) name, 2) your religious name, 3) your Mailing Address, city, state - 4) phone number along with the 5) name of the jurisdiction and particular parish or church you belong to and their contact information.  Any missing part of the requested information will cause for your request to be ignored.  Do not ask that your photo be removed unless you have copyrighted the photo with another web site and followed the above requirements.

     Every effort is being made for this Database to be as accurate as we possibly can make it.  Your own help is appreciated in supplying us with verifiable facts to substantiate whatever may be presented.

    If you notice any verifiable errors or omissions or if you have any verifiable additions, please email the Site Administrator informing him of the errors, omissions and additions. Use the E-Mail address below (click on the icon scroll) to accomplish this, please - OR - in the alternative, send us the information by regular Postal Service Mail.

    If you feel that your name has been deleted in error, or does not appear without good cause, you may wish to make contact with us by supplying a copy of all documentation in support of your cause.  It will be given the utmost fair treatment in accordance with the provisions of the Seven Ecumenical Councils of the early Church which all who are properly and appropriately ordained and consecrated are required to abide by as a part of their commission and charge during the ordination and consecration.

    We have been receiving quite a number of communiqués with additions and corrections since we sent out, through the ORTHODOX COMMUNICATIONS CENTER NEWSLETTER, the announcement of this endeavor. Unfortunately, we cannot get to them as soon as we would like.  All additions and corrections will be posted just as soon as it is possible.

       We would ask that you be patient with us concerning updates to the Database.

    Please join our mailing list  by clicking on the E-Mail Scroll below to be notified when the updates have been made. You may also wish to mention that you might want to be put on the mailing list for receiving the ORTHODOX COMMUNICATIONS CENTER NEWSLETTER when they become available at irregular times.