The African Orthodox Church - AOC - Constitution
The African Orthodox Church - AOC - Constitution
The African Orthodox Church - AOC - Constitution
Episcopate
with a
Constitution
Article I. Name.
Name
Sec. 1. The name of this Church, which was organized September 2nd, 1921 is and shall be THE AFRICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH.
Faith Orthodox
Sec. 2. The faith of this Church as declared, is ORTHODOX, in conformity with the Orthodox Churches of the East from which its Episcopate is derived.
Jurisdiction
Sec. 6. The A.O.C. has jurisdiction in its own name and right in the United States of America and in all the world wherever it may be established.
Provinces
Sec. 7 (a). The A.O.C. shall be divided into Territories following National or other geographical lines, termed PROVINCES appropriately named, over which the Bishop presiding shall have the rank and title of Archbishop.
Archbishop Metropolitan
(b). The Archbishop presiding over the General Synod of a National Province shall be designated PRIMATE or METROPOLITAN of the same.
Bishops, Annual Synod. Priests and Lay Deputies from each Congregation
(b) Each such Diocese, Missionary or Special Jurisdiction shall form and establish within its territorial boundary an ANNUAL SYNOD under the jurisdiction of its BISHOP, composed of all the PRIESTS of the A.O.C. resident within its limits and such number of LAY DEPUTIES from each congregation as the Synod shall determine.
Enact Canons
( c ) Each such jurisdiction shall enact CANONS for its government under the direction of its Bishop not conflicting with the Constitution and Canons of the General Synod.
Sec. 10 (a) The Conclave of Bishops may establish Missionary and Special Jurisdictions with territorial boundaries and elect Bishops therefore, the PATRIARCH or PRIMATE assenting thereto in writing and under his official seal after adequate provision has been made for the proper support and maintenance of such Bishop.
Must Elect Same Bishop Holy Consistory Membership Must report to General Synod
Sec.11. Conjointly with the PATRIARCH there shall be a HOLY CONSISTORY of the A.O.C. consisting of the PRIMATES, CONCLAVE OF BISHOPS and such other PRELATES and DIGNITARIES of the Church as the PATRIARCH shall appoint, numbering not more than eighteen (18) nor less than nine subject to call, to assist in the government of the A.O.C. during the period BETWEEN sessions of the General Synod. A report of all these transactions shall be made to the next meeting of the General Synod.
the
AFRICAN
ORTHODOX
Officers
Sec. 3. The President shall be the Patriarch or Bishop of Church designated by him. (b) The Vice President shall be an Archbishop, Bishop or Priest elected by ballot at each regular meeting of the General Synod. (c) The Secretary shall be a Priest with liberty to nominate his assistant. The Assistant may be either of the Clergy or the Laity. (d) The Financial Secretary shall be either a Priest or a Layman. (e) The Treasurer may be either a Priest or Layman. (f) The Chancellor and Vice Chancellor shall be either Bishops or Priests. The Chancellor shall have the privilege to nominate the Vice Chancellor. (g)The Registrar and Statistician and the Historian shall be Priests.
Elected by Ballot
(h) All these Officers shall be elected by ballot at each regular meeting of the General Synod.
Duties of Officers
Sec. 4. The DUTIES of said several Officers shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices and such others as may be prescribed by the Canons.
new date, allowing sufficient time for the DEPUTIES from distant point to arrive.
Extra Meeting
Sec. 2. The PATRIARCH for urgent reasons, by and with the consent of the HOLY CONSISTORY may on sixty (60) days notice summon an EXTRAORDINARY MEETING of the General Synod.
Other Changes
Sec. 3. The PATRIARCH by and with the consent of the HOLY CONSISTORY may change the meeting of GENERAL SYNOD from Annually to Bi-annually or Tri-annually, that is, every two or three years.
Domestic and Foreign Missionaries and the Officers of the Special Standing Committees of General Synod. Agenda An AGENDA shall always be issued and used.
Quorum
Sec. 6 (a) Seven Priests and seven Lay Deputies together with the President of the General Synod shall constitute a QUORUM for the transaction of business.
Increase of Quorum
(b) This number may be increased by legislation at any session of the General Synod.
Sec. 1. All Bishops of this Church shall be members of the CONCLAVE OR HOUSE OF BISHOPS of which the PATRIARCH or in the absence the Senior Bishop in point of consecration in the Province shall preside.
Duties of Conclave
Sec. 2. The Conclave shall safeguard the Episcopate and the DECLARATION OF FAITH and seek communion with other Churches of ORTHODOXY. The Conclave shall assist the PATRIARCH in governing the Church.
Contents
Sec. 2. The Liturgy besides the Mass and Propers shall include such other RITES and CEREMONIES as are in use in the A.O.C. in the administration of the SEVEN SACRAMENTS and other RELIGIOUS OFFICES, together with the PSALTER or PSALMS of DAVID.
Orthodox Hymnal A Standing Commission of which the Bishops shall be members shall compile and publish an ORTHODOX HYMNAL as soon as convenient. Until such publication the hymns ANCIENT AND MODERN shall be the OFFICIAL HYMNAL of THE AFRICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, with the proviso, that the proper Ecclesiastical Authority may, if necessary, authorize the use of another hymnal, not conflicting with the Faith of this Church AND where it is clearly shown that it is for the advancement of the Church.
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efficient by the Dean and Chapter, or who have completed examinations in the FULL COURSE of STUDY, with the required average of percentage.
Orthodox Churchman
Sec. 2. THE AFRICAN ORTHODOX CHURCHMAN, a monthly record of news and information concerning the work and progress of the A.O.C. and its adherents, shall be edited and published as provided for the Canons. Provisions for Expenses Sec. 3. Provision for the necessary expenses incurred shall be made by vote of General Synod.
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Sec. 1. There shall be a STANDING COMMISSION and COMMITTEES making report to the General Synod at each meeting on the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Constitution and Canons Church Literature Finance Church Extension Episcopate Fund College and Seminary State of the Church Vestments Propaganda
Majority Quorum
Sec. 2. A MAJORITY of all the members each of the aforementioned Committees a QUORUM for the transaction of business. A proper RECORD of all proceedings and funds shall be kept.
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