Part I: The Nature of The Order

Origins of the Order

The origins of the Oriental Orthodox Order are in the Middle East and in far-eastern Christianity. Early Christians lived both inside and outside the Roman Empire. Those churches to the east of the Empire became another mighty branch of Christianity which extended in an arc across Asia all the way to China. Today these are known as the Armenian, Syrian, Chaldean, Assyrian, Malabar, and Coptic Orthodox churches. This branch called Oriental Orthodoxy has also come to the West in multiple lines of transmission, one of which is the Holy Apostolic Catholic Church of the East. The Oriental Orthodox Order in the West came into being through two of its bishops living in Texas. 

What is an Order?

Traditionally spiritual orders of men and women have existed in communities throughout all parts of Christendom. They have been formed to accomplish certain tasks that the larger institution of the Church, aimed at meeting the needs of the masses of humanity, was largely unable or unwilling to accomplish. Orders served the world and the Church in unique ways, allowing monks and nuns called to inner work or outer vocation to dedicate themselves to a life of divine service. Through the centuries many orders have been cloistered in monastic communities, following strict rules of poverty, chastity and obedience. However, other orders have opened themselves to married and unmarried members and broadened the definition of monastic vocation to include the contemplative life of people in the ordinary world. Such vocations have also existed in Judaism and Islam where contemplative orders have been made up almost entirely of men and women in non-monastic communities. The Oriental Orthodox Order in the West expresses both possibilities, but offers itself particularly to those who feel drawn to the inner life of Spirit in the ordinary life of the contemporary world.

Why an Order?

Today there is a need for such communities to define themselves differently from the institutional forms we may be familiar with. Although orders have always existed in parallel relationship to the Church, complimenting and supporting it where possible, the Oriental Orthodox Order sees itself as a new way for contemporary men and women to belong to an ongoing spiritual tradition without unnecessary institutional demands. Men and women today are searching for spiritual roots as well as for practical ways of living an inner life that is both grounded in tradition and yet fully present to everyday realities. There is a thirst for authenticity and vitality. As an Order we desire to provide such a possibility in which the encounter with the Transcendent can be integrated into the ageless wisdom we need in order to grow.

Distinctives of the Order

It is important at the outset to briefly describe a number of the Oriental Orthodox Order’s distinctive features. First, it represents the deliberate transmission of a long-standing tradition of early eastern Christianity different from later forms we have grown used to in the West, and because it partakes of both worlds (East and West, the Orient and the Occident), it combines the unique strengths of each.

Second, the Oriental Orthodox Order supports three important essentials: the transmission of wisdom, a focus on the inner tradition of Christianity, and stress upon the transformation of human being and consciousness. We can be summarized in this way—Wisdom: The Order’s aim is to create sages—men and women who not only know wisdom but live authentically in its many dimensions. To that end it accepts the rich transmissions of wisdom from the past and the present, as well as from transcendent and immanent sources made available through the world’s great sacred traditions. Inner Tradition: While much of modern Christianity emphasizes external beliefs and conformity to dogmas and institutional rules, inner Christianity was born from vision beginning with the visionary seeking of Jesus. Although the Order respects Christianity’s attention to external realities, it places greater emphasis upon interior wisdom, the vision of Jesus, and the transmission of these through Christianity’s mystical tradition. Transformation: Historically, much of this interior wisdom has been carried forward through the monastic tradition. However, monastic spirituality has often stressed a life of conformity to external rules. We believe now that prominence must be given to a new form of “interiorized monasticism” which leaves room for multiple exterior expressions but is deeply committed to inner transformation. The Oriental Orthodox Order believes that any external expression of piety or service flows naturally from spiritual transformation.

A third feature of the Order is its rooting not only in the unique Christian lineage from the ancient Middle East, but also its openness to the unfolding of the spiritual traditions as they move into this new millennium. It is clear that many men and women today are seeking a more universal understanding of religious tradition. They are not willing to remain enclosed in a narrow, superficial view. The Order believes that clarity and vitality can only come from openness to universal Truth. While being Christian, the Order expresses kinship with spiritual lines from other sacred traditions, particularly the Abrahamic manifestations of Kabbalistic Judaism and Islamic Sufism. Mystical Christianity must grow and evolve in living relationship with these kindred spiritualities.

Because the Order stresses interiorized monasticism it will continue to use monastic nomenclature instead of the ecclesial terminology of the Church. Traditional expressions such as abbot, prior, priory, and rule of life will be used but find new articulation within the Order. Certain characteristics and language which exist in other lines of transmission will also be given fresh expression among us.

Continue to: Part II