Ministries of the Parish

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. 

Baptism: 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

Holy Orders: specifically 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, and are not offered apart from active participation in the AJC. 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- St. Raphael the Archangel Seminary 

Matrimony: While the Apostolic Johannite Church would be pleased to bless your union with your partner, regardless of sexual orientation, it is important to note that we are not authorized to solemnize marriages in terms of legal standing. The Government of Alberta requirements authorize organizations rather than celebrants and within Alberta, our community is presently too small to meet the requirements, despite the Apostolic Johannite Church’s size, standing and ability to solemnize in the eyes of the law, across the globe.

The Tarot

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 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.

For more information, visit https://otsj.org/