Orthodox Church of the Gauls

The Orthodox Church of the Gauls (French: Église Orthodoxe des Gaules or ÉOG) is a self-governing Orthodox church formed in 2006, and which is part of the Communion of Western Orthodox Churches (CÉOO). The church's first hierarch is Bishop Gregory Mendez, who is the superior of the Monastery of St Michael and St Martin in Luzé, France.

Beliefs

The ÉOG maintains traditional Orthodox beliefs and practice, and affirms the doctrinal teachings of the first seven Ecumenical Councils. While affirming the theological statements of the latter four councils, the ÉOG rejects the application to the Oriental Orthodox Churches of those councils' condemnations of monophysitism. Therefore, ÉOG recognises both Oriental Orthodox Churches and Eastern Orthodox Churches as sister churches.

History

ÉOG has its origins in the Orthodox Church of France (ÉOF). ÉOG was originally formed of two groups:

After ÉOG separated from ÉOF, the French Coptic Orthodox Church (ÉCOF) agreed to receive some groups into full communion in 2000.[3] These groups were permitted to use of their existing Gallican Mass and the Daily Office (Hours) of the ancient Western Church. When it became clear that remaining with ÉCOF would mean abandoning their western liturgical heritage, the group separated from ÉCOF.[4]

After separating from ÉCOF, they formed ÉOG along with some other clergy and laity, and elected Father Michel Mendez as bishop. Mendez took the religious name Gregory and was consecrated on 16 December 2006 by Bishop Vigile and Bishop Martin Laplaud of the French Orthodox Church, as well as Bishop Maël de Brescia and Bishop Marc of the Celtic Orthodox Church.

In the years since then, through organic expansion and the founding of new communities, the church has grown numerically, and today comprises a number of parishes, missions, and monastic communities in France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Cameroon.

Worship

ÉOG is primarily a Western Rite church, whose worship is supplemented with some eastern sources. Clergy wear Western vestments and the Divine Liturgy of St Germanus of Paris, a 20th century reconstruction of the Gallican rite Mass.

Relations with other churches

ÉOG is in full communion with the Celtic Orthodox Church and the French Orthodox Church since 2007 through CÉOO. CÉOO bishops meet regularly to strengthen their bonds of unity, and are committed to a common way of life, including recognition of each other's saints, liturgical rites, and customs, as well as the free interchangeability of clergy.

Since April 2009, ÉOG is in full communion with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America.[5][lower-alpha 1]

While not recognised by historic Orthodox Churches, ÉOG considers itself to be in a communion of faith with the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Notes

  1. ↑ This organization has used the legal name Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America since 2005.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Abbaye". abbayedeboisaubry.fr. Luzé, FR: l'Association Abbaye Royale Saint Michel de Bois-Aubry. Archived from the original on 2015-03-16. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
  2. ↑ Nottingham, Theodore J. "Bethanie: a place of renewal". centre-bethanie.org. Gorze, FR: Centre de Rencontres Spirituelles. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
  3. ↑ Abba Marcos; Goettmann, Alphonse (2000-11-30). "Protocole de reception dans l'Église Copte Orthodoxe de France de la Communauté Ecclésiale Notre-Dame & Saint Thiébault" [Reception protocol of the Ecclesial Community Our Lady & St Thiebault into the Coptic Orthodox Church of France]. eocf.free.fr (in French). Etudes sur l'Orthodoxie Copte en France. p. 1/2. Archived from the original on 2016-04-29. Retrieved 2016-04-29. Additional pages archived on 2016-04-29: p. 2/2.
  4. ↑ "Dossier rupture d'un groupe de prêtres avec l'Église Orthodoxe Copte Francaise" [Record of the separation of a priests groups from the French Coptic Orthodox Church]. eocf.free.fr (in French). Etudes sur l'Orthodoxie Copte en France. Archived from the original on 2014-10-31.
  5. ↑ "Interjurisdictional intercommunion". uaocamerica.org. Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America. Archived from the original on 2016-04-24.
  6. ↑ "A history of our jurisdiction". uaocamerica.org. Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America. Archived from the original on 2014-02-24.
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