Community and Ministry
Sacramental Gnosticism
The Parish of St. Joseph offers the Sacraments of the Apostolic Johannite Church in accordance with its Canon Law and custom- Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Reconciliation, Holy Orders, Matrimony and Unction.
Some considerations:
Baptism: Baptism is available upon request. If you are interested in the Sacrament of Baptism, we recommend you complete the free Introduction to Johannite Theology and Concepts Course via the AJC's online Johannite School. Please note: We do not offer baptism for those seeking to meet requirements for various Schools in Alberta- Baptism is a Sacrament of Initiation, and while we will provide it for infants at the request of their parent(s), we expect that the request is made as a matter of household worldview, spiritual tradition, or individual path, and not as a matter of paperwork for a non-church related purpose.
Confirmation: Confirmation is available upon request. If you are interested inthe Sacrament of Baptism, we recommend you complete the free Introduction to Johannite Theology and Concepts Course via the AJC's online Johannite School.
Holy Orders: The Minor Orders of Cleric, Doorkeeper, Reader, Exorcist and Acolyte are provided as dual path of service and initiation within the local and wider Johannite Community for those who are regularly active and wish to serve. They are not offered independently of active participation.
The Major Orders, being Subdeacon, Deacon, and Priest are only available to those who have met the requirements of the Apostolic Johannite Church and its Seminary- for more information see the Formation Program of St. Raphael the Archangel Seminary
Matrimony: The clergy of the Apostolic Johannite Church would be pleasedto bless your union with your partner, regardless of sexual orientation. The Apostolic Johannite Church does have an official Rite of Matrimony, which we are happy to work with you to adapt to meet your needs and the context of your relationship. It is your story and we would be honoured to be a part of it. Please note, that the Canon Law of the Apostolic Johannite Church does require a minimum amount of hours of pastoral contact to ensure that this step is something that you and your beloved are serious about, and not for any other purpose less than a genuine deepening of your relationship.
Reconciliation: The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available upon request subject to the schedule of Parish clergy.
Unction: The Sacrament of Unction is available upon request subject to the schedule of Parish clergy. It is also offered regularly as a part of the celebration of the Johannite Gnostic Mass.
Education and Exploration
The Parish community meets twice a month to engage in classes, lively discussions and explorations on topics as varied as the Liturgical Calendar, Saints, Esotericism, Ritual, Meditation and History as well as topics of relevance to the spiritual journey of a modern seeker - Meaning, Technology, Mental Health etc.
Conversations are held online and are open to all seekers, friends, strangers and members, provided participation is respectful of the diversity of its participants.
The Tarot and Divination
In addition to our regular Liturgies and round-table discussions on Gnosticism, Spirituality and the Spiritual Journey – the Parish of St. Joseph of Arimathea also has a deep love for many aspects and facets of the Western Esoteric Tradition – and one element of that tradition common to the interest of all of our regular members is the exploration and use of the Tarot and other methods of Divination as a spiritual, magical and self-exploratory tool.
The Oblates of St. John
The Oblates of St. John were born out of a recognition of radical self-responsibility, providing a means where those who are called beyond the lay state to a vowed pursuit of self-knowledge, may express and live out this vocation in a supporting environment with the recognition of the Apostolic Johannite Church
The word Oblate comes from Oblation, ‘a thing presented or offered to God’. The Oblate gives of her or himself to the path of the Divine, and here, we recognize that path and the Divine as being seen in the face of our fellow humanity. Thus, the Oblate offers their service to their path and the Divine in the person of the community- working to better each other and themselves thereby.
Like the oldest traditions of Christianity, the Oblates of St. John are vowed to follow a Rule, a codified way or guide of spiritual life. The Apostolic Johannite Church has no better rule than its Statement of Principles itself.
The Parish Rector is able to facilitate receive vows for those interested in a vocation as a vowed religious member of the OTSJ. For more information, visit https://otsj.org/
Location and Time
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Online Links where applicable are in each event.
In-Person Liturgy: As Scheduled
Venue is meeting space located inside a private complex
For information on attending, please join us
at one of our 2nd and 4th Wednesday meetings
Online Study Group
2nd and 4th Wednesdays
Google Meet Link in Calendar
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