Lines of Succession leading to:

Metropolitan Archbishop +Joseph Thaddeus (Stanford), OSB, SSJt., Ph.D.

Bishop +Matthias (Hammons), OSB, SSJt.

Apostles in a long line of successive Apostles

reaching back to

Apostles St. Peter, St. Paul, St. James, St. Andrew, and St. Thomas

resting on the Foundation of Jesus Christ

NOTICE - regarding our updating this page on November 16, 2010:

Unless stated in this web page, which is an official document, it should be noted by any questioning mind, that unless stated hereafter, any claim by others as regards "Consecrating" or "Consecrations" in specific, such claims are either not true or invalid, null and void where applicable.  Jesus Christ tells us to go to the one with whom we have ought against (trouble with) before taking any other action(s). In the 2nd Ecumenical Synod which all true Orthodox Jurisdictions are obliged to maintain it also says "If anyone shows contempt of the prescriptions regarding the above matters and presumes to bother either the ears of the emperor or the courts of the secular authorities, or to dishonour all the diocesan bishops and trouble an ecumenical synod, there is to be no question whatever of allowing such a person to bring accusations forward, because he has made a mockery of the canons and violated the good order of the church..." To those who may take offense or issue, please, be (at least) a true "Christian" enough to make direct contact with this Jurisdiction's Primate (Presiding Metropolitan Archbishop) by sending an E-Mail to: thaddeus@apostle1.com ... showing what particular item, paragraph or sentence you are having trouble with.  Thank you! .

 (See Important Note at end of this Web Page)

No where is it as important to understand what is meant by "Bishop" or an "Apostle in succession" than in the early beginnings of ministry.  Yet, we find that there are many individuals who hold themselves out to be a "Bishop" when in material and spiritual truth, they are more often than not "Wolves In Sheep's Clothing" as Jesus Christ warned us about.

It takes more than just "study" of treatises and books to make one truly and spiritually a "Bishop".  It requires both spiritual and material understandings and knowing something of history concerning the Church herself.  And, the ancient Holy Spirit inspired canons known as the Seven Ecumenical Canons most certainly guides a true "Bishop" or "Apostle"... Just because a minister is head of some flock of people who call themselves "Christian" does not mean they are a "Bishop" even if they use the word and term for them self.  For example: In these present times we see many a so called Christian who is a part of a denomination such as "Baptist" or "Southern Baptist" or "Lutheran," "Roman Catholic" or even the little "c" of "catholic," etc. who wear a collar as though he is a priest or bishop and sometimes they call themselves "Bishop" when they are a wolf like their counterpart: "Baptist," "Pentecostal," "Church of Christ," and many other ministers!

From the times of the Holy Apostles down through history, a true "Bishop" (successive Apostle) has had hands laid upon him by a previous "Bishop" or "Apostle" who can trace the laying on of hands back to the Apostles of Jesus Christ.  The laying on of hands is just one aspect of a "consecration" of which the ceremony is more than just a "ceremony" or "Liturgical" action but the action of the Holy Spirit through the various chrisms used by the ordaining or consecrating "Bishop" or "Apostle". 

A single handed consecration is valid under extreme conditions.  Usually two or more bishops (Apostles) have consecrated together.  There is more than just the liturgical actions involved, but the individual MUST be more than materially motivated and observant.  He must be spiritually motivated as well.  He must be willing to sacrifice HIS VERY LIFE even if it means prison or death!  What this means is that he is willing to sacrifice his life to not only preserve the teachings, but the very life of his flock be they individuals or a congregation! In fact he must, without exception, accept the unconditional meaning of Protecting the Seals of the Confessional with his very life as many did during World War I and World War II, the Korean War and Vietnamese War... And unless such a minister is willing to abide by the ancient Holy Spirit inspired Seven Ecumenical Councils and the Seals of the Confessional; they are not true priests or bishops but wolves in sheep's clothing!  Even if they were truly and materially ordained and/or consecrated; they must abide by, at least, the ancient Holy Spirit inspired seven Ecumenical councils and protect the Seals of the Confessional for all time without exception! If they do not, they have become or are Wolves in Sheep's clothing!

Inasmuch as these truths are a part of what a true priest, Bishop or Apostle is... it is even more than just these truths that make him or break him as a priest, Bishop/Apostle. 

The following is just a portion of how one may be discerned as a Bishop/Apostle... but while the following is limited in and of itself; they should provide further understandings that go beyond the disease of "Scholasticism" to arbitrate the various differences of who constitutes a Bishop/Apostle.

The AUGUSTINIAN  THEORY states that because of the indelible character of a consecration, a validly consecrated bishop permanently retains Episcopal powers notwithstanding any schisms or excommunications.

The CYPRIANIC THEORY holds that schismatic orders may be accepted or rejected to the extent that they are adjudged expedient to the best interests of the Church, that a bishop is consecrated for a particular jurisdiction and keeps those powers granted to a bishop only as long as he remains under the consecrating jurisdiction or the one to which he is assigned.

In the published work, “Successio Apostolica,” about Mar Georgius I, Patriarch of Glastonbury, in explanation of his seeking after many different lines of succession it is stated: “Having undertaken the work of the restoration of the Orthodox Apostolic Catholicism of Undivided Christendom, he and those with him realized in the early days of his pontificate, that while all consecrations and ordinations of proven validity are equally efficacious irrespective of any particular line of Apostolic Succession.  Nevertheless, in the present divided state of Christendom, some degree of ‘irregularity’ must inevitably attach itself to acts lacking the ecumenical sanction of the One Body Mystical, being derived as they are from a part of the whole, it was felt under Divine guidance, that to remedy this position and also at the same time to counter any doubts which might be alleged, even though contrariness or ignorance against any particular line of succession that the existing Orders of this Rite should be fortified by a series of conditional consecrations have also the force of co-consecration and of additional commission in the ecumenical sense, thus bringing into being, an ECUMENICAL APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION derived from every part of The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church”.

“The action of Mar Georgius (and others) in receiving additional lines of succession has been the subject of certain criticism in more than one quarter.  It is readily agreed that in a united Christendom such a thing would be both unnecessary and, indeed, wrong; for under those conditions consecration ‘Sub Conditione’ would be called for only when some specific doubt had arisen as to the validity of the original consecration.  But, in a divided church, quite different considerations apply.”

Within the following pages, most of the many reconsecrations of Mar Georgius are enumerated together with others who have had similar thoughts in mind regarding the efficaciousness of additional consecrations.  Most of those known to the writer have been undertaken prayerfully and with the desire to cement ecumenical relationships and shorten the period until the Church, the Body of Christ will once again be united.  We realize that there are those consecrations, which take place for reasons other than herein mentioned.  We regret these, but can do little about it.

A Third Theory?  There are some who hold the idea that both theories (Augustinian and Cyprianic) are valid theories to be contemplated by those afflicted by the judicial disease.  However, it is also believed by some that a valid consecration, whether for reasons so explained in MAR Georgius' “Successio Apostolica,” about Mar Georgius I, Patriarch of Glastonbury, or for other honorable purposes... the chrism from Holy Spirit through the particular consecrator, imbues the one being consecrated with that which comes with all the spiritual character of the consecrator and thus each consecrator has his own spiritual character which is passed on to the one being consecrated.  Thus, it is finally believed by some, that the consecrand (person being consecrated) who has had numerous consecrations over time, is imbued, by Holy Spirit, with what is specific to the Consecrator.  While such a thought may not be acceptable, it is arguable only in that to validate that which was undertaken with proper intentions, is valid in and of itself.  To deny any consecration when being consecrated, again, is to deny the operation of the Holy Spirit in previous consecrations which is a form of blasphemy by some thinking. It is for this main reason, among others, that MAR +Joseph Thaddeus refused to "deny" any previous consecrations by a main consecrator in 2003-2004.

One of the most important understandings that can be associated with this particular understanding concerning the movement of the Holy Spirit is that an Apostle (in a long line of succession) retains his office as an Apostle (Bishop or Archbishop, etc.) only if he maintains his faith (his belief) according to his nature and degree of ability, and practices the same as all those previous to him without alteration or modification (additions or deletions) in spirit and in truth!

A true apostle (bishop) believes in and maintains to that espoused in those ancient canons of the Seven Ecumenical Councils.  To deny them as having any importance or relevancy is to deny the FIRST CANON which is Holy Scripture (the Holy Bible) itself, the Holy Spirit and the Church herself established by Jesus Christ and the Holy Apostles. Again, it is the Holy Spirit with whom we must maintain all that has gone on before us... Who, interlocks us in both spirit and truth to them who have eyes and ears to understand.  There are those who have done so by their acceptance of many things from the cultic church called "Pentecostal" and imbued their jurisdiction with such heretical ideas and teachings that the Holy Ghost has withdrawn from them which, when a void is made, is supplanted more so by the un-holy spirit which is Satan, Lucifer, the Evil One no matter how slick their presentations may be to the world.

This means that he, the true priest or bishop, maintains himself in accordance with ancient (Holy Spirit filled) Seven Ecumenical Councils, according to his nature and degree of understanding and ability, for there has never been, since 1054 A.D. when the Roman Jurisdiction of the Catholic Church schismed from the faith (the root, ground, and base) of Orthodox Catholic Christianity which is all things CHRISTIAN; there has not been and will never be a full and complete meeting of all Bishops/Apostles of the true Church. 

To abrogate or deny  those understandings and practices is blasphemy to the Holy Spirit. 

These material and spiritual truths also mean that he does not break the ancient vows imbued in such true spirit filled acts and actions wherein a priest or an Apostle (Bishop) does not break the ancient Seals of the Confessional but protects them, even if he were to be thrown in prison or put to death.  For all these things are linked, as a heavy chain is linked... the weakest link being the breaking or denying of the existence of them, with knowledge; for maintaining them is a part of what makes one an apostle (bishop) in a long successive line. 

This also means that a true Bishop/Apostle, having foreknowledge of another Bishop/Apostle's actions to protect the faith, even the Seals of the Confessional; who knowingly denies him out of fear or for other reasons, denies his brother in Christ, Jesus; thus denies Jesus Christ and blasphemes the Holy Spirit because to deny one is to deny everything. 

A Bishop/Apostle who stands strong and true to NOT deny; is truly spiritually worthy of the statement AXIOS! AXIOS! AXIOS!    For all others who deny; are themselves no longer true APOSTLES/BISHOPS no matter how much paperwork or documentation they may have.  There are those who will back them up as making false claims of being present at a consecration of ordination, especially those who imbue themselves in Pentecostalism while calling themselves "Catholic" (not "Roman" or "Orthodox" so much as "Independent," etc. . Again, it is the Holy Spirit with whom we must maintain all that has gone before us... Who, interlocks us in both spirit and truth to them who have eyes and ears to understand.

Those in the vineyard who uphold the Church, uphold Jesus Christ, uphold the action and events of the Holy Ghost (Spirit). Those who deny any one of those true Apostles/Bishops, become like Judas Iscariot... the one who was paid 30 pieces of silver....

Thus, there are those who may call themselves "Bishop" but who are not true Bishops or Apostles (or even "Priest") in the Church because they knowingly and (in some instances) intentionally will not or cannot maintain to these truths.  This would be the case of those who are Baptists, Pentecostals, Assemblies of God and many more - all thus far mentioned being Cultic Protestants who have no lineage back to the early Church, the Apostles and thus are not and cannot be in spirit or in truth, true Christians by any stretch of the imagination for they are the wolves in sheep's clothing warned about by Jesus Christ. And, might we add, those who have allowed for their bishops to ordain female priests and/or bishops... violating the Holy Spirit inspired Seven Ecumenical Councils.

And, to those priests and bishops who have withdrawn themselves from those who have allowed for their clergy to ordain female priests or bishops... are ones with the Holy Spirit.  Again, it is the Holy Spirit with whom we must maintain all that has gone before us... those who interlock us in both spirit and truth to them who have eyes and ears to understand.

    Item    Lines:(See Important Note at end of this Web Page)       Table:

(1) Consecrated May 10, 1981

At the hands of MAR DAVID I (Wallace David de Ortega Maxey)

with assistance (Co-Consecrators) of: Archbishops +Jerome Joachim, +Mikhail Itkin, +Most Rev James Abdul Marie Fred (Miklaeovitch) Dennis  [Other information relating to Wallace David de Ortega Maxey will be supplied either at a later time or, if need be, by contacting MAR +Joseph Thaddeus, OSB, SSJt., Ph.D. regarding what that information is.]

As Can be seen by the above document, which was recorded at a County Recorder's Office, not only Mar David I (Wallace David de Ortega Maxey, but also +Archbishop Jerome Ladd Joachim, +Michael Augustine Francis Itkin and +James Abdul Miklaeovitch Dennis were co-consecrators on Mother's Day, May 10, 1981 of then Bishop, now Metropolitan Archbishop +Joseph (Thaddeus-Stanford) for the Catholic Christian Church which later came under the omophor and was inculcated into the American Orthodox Church (North American Orthodox Church, American Orthodox Catholic Church now).   Archbishop +David Mark Johnson (from Archbishop +Baxter) received the right and responsibility to establish the AOC, through the interactions of the Greek Orthodox Deacon at the time, Peter Gianopolous, passed on the AOC to Archbishop Thaddeus, OSB, SSJt. with the co-consents of +Maxey, +Itkin, +Joachim and +Dennis as it is recorded in the archives.

(2)

In perfect continuity and Apostolic Succession from Jesus Christ and the Apostles from the birthday of the Church at Pentecost, we have maintained the true Succession of Apostolic Truth as well as the valid tactile Succession from the Apostles by the laying on of hands.

Note: The following lines of succession are the corrected lines of succession provided this website by His Eminence +Michael, OSB (Damian-Benedict [Palladino] from +Yuri Spaeth) which were not the same as that provided by a previous un-named bishop out of Ohio who had taken it upon himself to provide lines that were seriously in question.  The following corrects any misgivings.

In 1922, Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky) assumed leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church in North America having received the appointment of Patriarch (Saint) Tikhon of Moscow and All Russia.  In 1923,Metropolitan Platon, with the approval of Patriarch Tikhon elevated Bishop +Aftimios to the position of Archbishop.

"Now we, the Synod of Bishops of the Dioceses of the American Russian Jurisdiction, believing ourselves called of Christ and moved of the Holy Spirit in behalf of Holy Church and Her children in America, and being fully authorized through a Letter (See Note below by he asterisk * and the letter is emphasized by italics as quoted) - - - - by the highest Authority in the Church to which we owe and maintain strict obedient loyalty; 

"We hereby, on this 2nd day of February (new style) in the year 1927, charge one of our number, His Eminence, the Most Reverend Aftimios, Archbishop of Brooklyn, with the full responsibility and duty of caring and providing for American Orthodoxy in the especial sense of Orthodox Catholic people born in America and primarily English-speaking or any American residents or parishes of whatever nationality or linguistic character or derivation not satisfactorily provided with proper and canonical Orthodox Catholic care, ecclesiastical authority, teaching and ministrations of the Church or who may wish to attach themselves by the properly and legally provided means to an autonomous, independent, American Orthodox Church. And to that end, that he may discharge the duty and responsibility laid upon the Church and by us on him, we do hereby permit, empower, authorize and direct the said Archbishop of Brooklyn to found, organize, establish, head, conduct, control, and maintain a distinct, independent, and autonomous branch of the Orthodox Catholic Church to be known and legally established and generally recognized as a Holy Eastern Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church in North America with the provisions that (1) such newly-established Orthodox Catholic Church shall be and forever remain in all respects truly Orthodox Catholic in the sense of the Fathers, Councils, Canons, and Tradition of the Historic Undivided Church still existing in the several Patriarchates and Autonomous Churches of the one Holy Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Eastern Church, and shall be in full communion and Orthodox Catholic brotherly fellowship with, but only with, Orthodox Catholic Churches, Clergy, and Faithful, maintaining and strictly observing the full content and form of sound, undefiled Eastern Orthodox Catholic Doctrine, Traditions, Canons, Discipline, Order and Sacramental Communion; and (2) in as much as it is derived from and canonically founded by the Church of Russia through the primary and sole Orthodox Catholic Missionary and evangelistic efforts of the Russian Church in America and fully recognizes the primacy and canonical exclusiveness of the Russian Jurisdiction and hierarchy in America throughout the first century of Orthodox existence in the New World, the newly-established Holy Eastern Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church in North America, while entirely autonomous and independent in its organization, constitution, administration, jurisdiction, and authority, shall preserve at all times its brotherly and filial relationship to the Orthodox Church of Russia represented in Russia by the Patriarchal Authority of Moscow and All Russia and in America by His Eminence, Metropolitan Platon, and his canonically established and recognized successors as Archbishop of the American Jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia. Further: We do hereby, on this 2nd day of February, 1927 (new style), elect and give order for the Consecration of the Very Reverend Leonid Turkevitch to be Bishop in the newly-founded Holy Eastern Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church in North America as assistant to its Governing Head, His Eminence, the Most Reverend Aftimios, Archbishop of Brooklyn, and by him to be appointed to such position or See as the Holy Eastern Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church in North America by its Constitution or By-Laws may provide or erect for the first assistant Bishop under its Primate. 

"May God prosper and Bless this work in His Name and to His Glory. Amen. Issued under our hands and seals in the City of New York, on the 2nd day of February (new style) in the year of our Lord Nineteen Hundred and Twenty Seven." 

Signed by:
Platon, Metropolitan of North America and Canada; 
Aftimios, Archbishop of Brooklyn; 
Theophilus, Bishop of Chicago; 
Amphilohy, Bishop of Alaska; 
Arseny, Bishop of Winnipeg; 
Alexy, Bishop of San Francisco

* The Letter referred to above is one written by Metropolitan Sergius, Acting Patriarchal Locum Tenens of the Russian Orthodox Church, under date of September 12th, 1926 (new style) addressed to the Russian Bishops outside of Russia.

[NOTE:  Please take note that there are many who claim to be the original and only AMERICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, but the fact of the matter is that there are many AMERICAN ORTHODOX CHURCHES across the United States of America.  This particular Jurisdiction is the One and Original AMERICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH incorporated in California in 1971-1972. 

It does not take a rocket scientist to realize that some of those who make their claims that the above document was intended, issued and meant only for their particular Church jurisdiction is a slap in the face of true Orthodox Catholic Christianity in America because it disparages the faith of the Church. And, what is more, many of those clerics may be in fact "Bishops" by secular standards of documentation, but have actually left the faith delivered once and for all from Jesus Christ through the Holy Apostles down through time and history to us who are successor apostles (Bishops) who maintain the faith, do not claim to be INDEPENDENT this or INDEPENDENT that, etc.  And who, claiming themselves INDEPENDENT ordain or allow to be ordained female clergy as priests and bishops against and in violation of the ancient Seven Ecumenical Councils. 

Thus, anyone who claims a nomenclature of their church, jurisdiction or parish with such that equates to a popish name of the Roman Jurisdiction of the Catholic Church, are not truly Orthodox for neither Ethnic Orthodox and Western Rite Orthodoxy do not and never will subscribe to the heresies of the Roman Church who schismed from the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church by her innovative ideas and her violations of the ancient Seven Ecumenical Councils.  As to "Liturgies" may it be noted that St. John Maximovitch of Shanghai & San Francisco has, as regards the various Roman Jurisdiction of the Catholic Church's liturgies, "... "Never, never, never let anyone tell you that, in order to be Orthodox, you must also be eastern. The West was Orthodox for a thousand years, and her venerable liturgy is far older than any of her heresies."

May it also be noted and understood that while there are certain ethnic jurisdictions who firmly believe that all who are chosen to become Bishops should be chosen in accordance with Biblical truth.  So what is that truth?  Do the research!  You will find that no where is there any support for all to come from a celibate un-married class or state of monasticism, even though it is an honorable state and a very Holy State; and one that is truly time honored.  But never, ever does Holy Scripture support the exclusion of an un-married episcopate.]

The Validity of the Antiochian Succession

[ Note:  This subject is raised only because the Vilate lines exist in thaddeus' lines of succession.    ] 

The Communions and Churches of Antiochian Succession in the United States, including the Union Life Communion, trace their apostolic succession through eastern sources, notably through Archbishop Joseph Rene Vilatte, who is often credited with bringing the Antiochian Succession to North America.

The validity of the Antiochian Succession has repeatedly been recognized and acknowledged by the Roman Catholic Church, which has admitted into its fold bishops of the Antiochian Succession without re-ordination or consecration; by the Old Catholic Church of Holland; by the Church of England, which in 1870, welcomed the visiting Patriarch of Antioch, Ignatius Peter III -- the same who ordered the consecration of Archbishop Vilatte -- and enthroned him in Canterbury Cathedral to bless the people; by the Armenian, Russian Orthodox, Greek and in fact, all branches of the Catholic Church, which have undoubted Orders themselves.

Especially significant and conclusive was the experience of His Grace Archbishop Lloyd, the first married Archbishop of the American Catholic Church, during his visit to the Holy Land in 1923, when the Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Antiochian Metropolitan of Jerusalem and the Archbishop of India, received and entertained him with all the honors due an Archbishop of the Holy Catholic Church.

The charge had erroneously been made by the Protestant Episcopal Church of America that the consecration of Archbishop Vilatte was null and void because the Church of Antioch, from which his Orders were derived, was "unorthodox." This charge, however, was disputed by the Church of England itself.  The Lambeth Conference of Pan-Anglican Bishops of 1920, in their Encyclical Letter To The Christian World (pp. 150-151), declared that the “accusations of heresy against the Western Syrian Churches are false.” It is also the same for the Christians of St. Thomas of Malabar.  American Episcopalian the Reverend Doctor Ritchie, acknowledged chief among Catholic-minded Episcopalian theologians and scholars in the United States of America, wrote a forceful editorial in the "Catholic Champion" in which he asserted: "Vilatte is as true a Bishop as ever wore a mitre." And a member of the House of Bishops, Bishop Coxe of Western New York, in a letter to Archbishop Vilatte declared in February 24, 1896 -- "Whatever the House of Bishops may say to the contrary, no Roman prelate in the United States has an Episcopate as valid as yours."

If further evidence of the canonical and valid Consecration of Archbishop Vilatte were required, it is found in the invitation he received to go to France and found a National Catholic Church for France. After the separation of the Church and State in France by the laws of July 1, 1901, the League of Catholics of France was formed to establish a French National Catholic Church, independent of Rome, the National Committee of which was under the presidency of Henri des Hou (Kt. of Legion of Honor and decorated with the Royal and Imperial Orders of Spain and Russia) and included such men of note as Senators Reveilland and Guiesse. These devout men of France, in their search for a valid non-papal bishop who would give them the Apostolic Succession, sent to Ceylon and to Malabar through the French Consulate to verify Bishop Vilatte's Consecration, and to obtain official copies of the Acts of Consecration, the Edict of the Patriarch of Antioch sanctioning it, and the attestation of the United States Consul Morey of Ceylon, who was present at the consecration and one of the witnesses to the event. Through the influence of M. Briand, Minister of Public Instruction and Worship, these indisputable documents were obtained. After the issue of his consecration was definitively settled, Archbishop Vilatte was most earnestly invited to come to France and help establish an independent non-Papal Catholic Church and so was born the Independent Gallican Apostolic Catholic Church.

For indeed, as already said above under the "Third Theory" regarding consecrations....

These material and spiritual truths also mean that one does not break the ancient vows imbued in such true spirit filled acts and actions wherein a priest or an Apostle (Bishop) does not break the ancient Seals of the Confessional but protects them, even if he were to be thrown in prison or put to death.  For all these things are linked, as a heavy chain is linked... the weakest link being the breaking or denying of the existence of them, with knowledge; for maintaining them is a part of what makes one an apostle (bishop) in a long successive line. 

 

This also means that a true Bishop/Apostle, having foreknowledge of another Bishop/Apostle's actions to protect the faith, even (and especially) the Seals of the Confessional; who knowingly denies him out of fear or for other reasons, denies his brother in Christ, Jesus; thus denies Jesus Christ and blasphemes the Holy Spirit because to deny one is to deny everything.  This would seem to apply most aptly to those of whom we have discussed thus far, and those associated with them in the vineyard!  For in such associations, you spiritually are implicitly upholding their acts or actions to negate spiritual truth and thus have become one with the Evil One!

 

A Bishop/Apostle who stands strong and true to NOT deny; is truly spiritually worthy of the statement AXIOS! AXIOS! AXIOS!    For all others who deny; are themselves no longer true APOSTLES/BISHOPS no matter how much paperwork or civil documentation they may have.  There are those who will back them up as making false claims of being present at a consecration or ordination, especially those who imbue themselves in Pentecostalism while calling themselves "Catholic" (not "Roman" or "Orthodox" so much as "Independent," etc. . Again, it is the Holy Spirit with whom we must maintain all that has gone before us... Who, interlocks us in both spirit and truth to them who have eyes and ears to understand.

 

Those in the vineyard who uphold the Church, uphold Jesus Christ, uphold the action and events of the Holy Ghost (Spirit). Those who deny any one of those true Apostles/Bishops, become like Judas Iscariot... the one who was paid 30 pieces of silver....

 

Thus, there are those who may call themselves "Bishop" but who are not true Bishops or Apostles (or even "Priest") in the Church because they knowingly and (in some instances) intentionally will not or cannot maintain to these truths.  This would be the case of those who are Baptists, Pentecostals, Assemblies of God and many more - all thus far mentioned being Cultic Protestants who have no lineage back to the early Church, the Apostles and thus are not and cannot be in spirit or in truth, true Christians by any stretch of the imagination for they are the wolves in sheep's clothing warned about by Jesus Christ. And, might we add, those who have allowed for their bishops to ordain female priests and/or bishops... violating the Holy Spirit inspired Seven Ecumenical Councils.

[May it also be noted as to the Apostolic Canons of the Ancient and undivided Church which are being overridden by violence from the very ethnic jurisdiction themselves in these present times (2008) such as exists in certain (un-named) groups at yahoo.com.  Specifically the following Canon:

6There are many who are bent on confusing and overturning the good order of the church and so fabricate, out of hatred and a wish to slander, certain accusations against orthodox bishops in charge of churches. Their intention is none other than to blacken priests' reputations and to stir up trouble among peace-loving laity. For this reason the sacred synod of bishops assembled at Constantinople has decided not to admit accusers without prior examination, and not to allow everyone to bring accusations against church administrators -- but with-out excluding everyone. So if someone brings a private (that is a personal) complaint against the bishop on the grounds that he has been defrauded or in some other way unjustly dealt with by him, in the case of this kind of accusation neither the character nor the religion of the accuser will be subject to examination. It is wholly essential both that the bishop should have a clear conscience and that the one who alleges that he has been wronged, whatever his religion may be, should get justice.

But if the charge brought against the bishop is of an ecclesiastical kind, then the characters of those making it should be examined, in the first place to stop heretics bringing charges against orthodox bishops in matters of an ecclesiastical kind. (We define "heretics" as those who have been previously banned from the church and also those later anathematised by ourselves: and in addition those who claim to confess a faith that is sound, but who have seceded and hold assemblies in rivalry with the bishops who are in communion with us.) In the second place, persons previously condemned and expelled from the church for whatever reason, or those excommunicated either from the clerical or lay rank, are not to be permitted to accuse a bishop until they have first purged their own crime. Similarly, those who are already accused are not permitted to accuse a bishop or other clerics until they have proved their own innocence of the crimes with which they are charged. But if persons who are neither heretics nor excommunicates, nor such as have been previously condemned or accused of some transgression or other, claim that they have some ecclesiastical charge to make against the bishop, the sacred synod commands that such persons should first lay the accusations before all the bishops of the province and prove before them the crimes committed by the bishop in the case. If it emerges that the bishops of the province are not able to correct the crimes laid at the bishop's door, then a higher synod of the bishops of that diocese, convoked to hear this case, must be approached, and the accusers are not to lay their accusations before it until they have given a written promise to submit to equal penalties should they be found guilty of making false accusations against the accused bishop, when the matter is investigated.

NOTE: This has been provided as a result of certain (as said) un-named jurisdictions of the One, Holy, Orthodox, Catholic and Apostolic Church in addition to those who are calling themselves "Catholic" but are Protestant cultics by their synchrestic ecumenist activities; who have failed or refused to abide by the requirement to observe all that the Church teaches, in that a man, the consecrated "Metropolitan" and "Archbishop". For by the arguments of some of the 'ethnic' jurisdictions as regards Aftimios Ofiesh consecration who married - - - they violate the Canons, particularly the First Canon (Holy Bible), the Second Ecumenical Council, thereby automatically causing for themselves (laity and/or clergy alike) to be excommunicated... Without their jurisdiction's action, or their bishop's action to correct the defect within their jurisdiction, they carry the stigma of the offense by their failure and refusal to say all, not just part, of truth which no longer remains truth when presented so sporadically.  Equally so, they imbibe of the very thing forbidden by the Canon in that they interfere in the affairs of another jurisdiction which they are not a part of. 

Yet, it must be realized that these things are obscured and intentionally overlooked by those of the various ethnic jurisdictions because they suffer from the diseases of politicalism, arrogance, pride, and so very many others.  They do not wish to be condemned themselves and thus can and will overlook these things as though they do not apply to themselves for they are the present day Sanhedrin and Pharisees who, in ancient times, condemned and crucified Jesus Christ.

The very things they require of others, they - - - themselves, fail or refuse to accept for themselves. Did not Jesus Christ say that the world hated him and how much more they will hate them (those who are truly His in Spirit and truth) and how much more those who follow Him would be persecuted for His sake... Thus He did say so, thus it was written and thus it is being done as it has been from the time of His death on the cross down even to these present times, by no less than many of those who claim Him as their savior.  Again, they who do these things are truly the modern day Sanhedrin and Pharisees. ]

NOTE;

We have revised this page to include or exclude information so that those with the political disease of questionable scholasticism may not be offended... However and in the mean time, please do not hesitate to write us at our MAILING ADDRESS ONLY: 212 So. 16th Avenue, Caldwell, Idaho 83605 with Telephone Number: (208) 459-2901 to inquire regarding our LINES OF SUCCESSION ... we would be happy to send you a copy....

or  to contact us at: thaddeus@apostle1.com