What is a Canon?

ABOUT THE DATABASE:

Clergy Database.com© encompasses information concerning Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox, Chaldean, Coptic, So-called Independent Catholics, American Orthodox Jurisdictions and many other Jurisdictions. 

 All information and documents submitted or which had already been archived, are being reviewed on a case by case instance to ascertain the value and worth of the information without regards for the good, the bad or the ugly so much as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! 

As alluded to further on, we are removing the negative of and about each individual in so far as is possible.  There are symbols "+" and/or "-" (plus sign or minus sign) as well as our Orthodox Cross which are explained further *(see below).  If any one wishes for more information about an individual, we will provide that information if we have it only on a case by case instance.

This endeavor has not been updated until just recently after several years of being inability to maintain this database.  If you have ANY information, especially verifiable DOCUMENTATION relating to an individual's Lines of Succession or more accurate dates including their demise or changes in Jurisdiction, etc. we would appreciate your informing us.  If an individual is not named in the database and you would like to have them entered in, let us know...   

    The information we post 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 their orders from the Roman Jurisdiction of the Catholic Church' 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 One, Holy, (Orthodox), Catholic and Apostolic faith which especially involve observance of the ancient Holy Spirit inspired 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 are acclaimed as followers of the traditions (oral and written) of the undivided church and all the other 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.  - These are not "Churches" in themselves, but "Jurisdictions" of the same Church which is grounded, founded and based, root and branch upon that which is today known and called "Orthodox Catholic Christianity" which IS NOT a denomination whatsoever!

    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 the Americas whatsoever. Anyone making claim 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 residing on 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  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 suspect, but invalid.  Where there is only a "single-handed" consecration, while acceptable under extreme circumstances and situations, the individual bishop laying hands upon a candidate must have 'valid' lines.

*In order to ensure a more fair role in providing information and ascertaining Truth, we shall only place a symbol in the photographic area of either "+" or "-" of which both may be included in some instances... to show that there are positive and negative information to that individual or jurisdiction.  What this means is that they have gone through the fires of testing for adherence to the faith accepting the fact of the Statement of the Apostles that all have fallen short of the mark of being considered, in the eyes of God, as 'holy' in this life!  If there is neither a "+" or a "-" symbol, it indicates that not enough information is available at this time.

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 Database.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.  However, with that being said, may it also be understood that since no images are sold, we do peruse the World Wide Web and will copy images of Clergy for this Research endeavor, even those which may be "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. 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) were 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. When we have received such "notarized" statement, we will contact the individual and therefrom, attempt to reach a reasonable solution(s) or remove the image.

     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: 212 So. 16th Av., Caldwell, Idaho, 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, zip code - 4) phone number(s) 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 may be 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.