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Ecclesia Gnostica

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The Holy Gnosis of Thomas Chapel The Ecclesia Gnostica (Gnostic Church) Parish in Salt Lake City, Utah Serving the Wasatch Front for over a decade

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The Ecclesia Gnostica welcomes all independent spiritual seekers to share in community the Gnostic tradition through liturgical services, formal and informal learning opportunities, and in conversation with trained clergy and others engaged in spiritual growth. We make no judgments based on such incidentals as ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or even creed. There is no membership or other requirements for participation. Communion is open to all.

The Holy Gnosis of Thomas Chapel (aka. St. Thomas the Twin Chapel), is the Salt Lake City Parish of the Ecclesia Gnostica (the "Gnostic Church" or "Church of Gnosis"). While we held services in the Holy Cross Chapel at the Salt Lake Regional Medical Center for a number of years, we are now holding services in a house chapel. There is still work to be completed on the current space, and on the house that it is in, so pardon the state of things while the work is being done.

See the Brief Introduction for general information; the Schedule of Services for events; and, Chapel Info for information about attending services, and the building project. A collection of Homilies is available. There are local Gnostic gatherings in the Salt Lake Valley.

For more information and address, contact the Rev. Troy Pierce.

About the icon: There is a strong tradition that the Apostle Thomas traveled through Syria and into India. The Acts of Thomas records that he was thrown into prison in India before being martyred. while in prison he told the story known as the Hymn of the Pearl, or the Hymn of the Robe of Glory. "Thomas" also means "twin," and it is thought that he was called this because of his special relationship to Christ. As icons show the inner reality, the Holy Thomas is pictured as an older twin of Jesus. He is portrayed in prison recounting the story of the Pearl. Through one window is the Robe of Glory. Through the other is the lance that will be used to execute him in the morning. Icon by the Rev. Troy Pierce.

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Upcoming Events

Note: There is now a more direct entrance to the chapel. Enter just around the rear corner of the building.

Templar Sunday
Sunday, October 18th, 11:30 AM
Commemoration of the holy Templar martyrs.
A solemn celebration of the Gnostic Holy Eucharist commemorating the arrest of the holy Templar martyrs on October 13th, 1307.

The Twentieth Sunday After Trinity
Sunday, October 25th, 11:30 AM
Intent: Serenity
Please join us for meditation and reflection.

All Saints Day
Sunday, November 1st, 11:30 AM
Celebration of the day of All Saints
Please join us for a meditation and reflection service.

Sunday After All Souls Day
Sunday, November 8th, 11:30 AM
Celebration of the day of All Souls
Please join us for a meditation and reflection service with remembrance of all who have passed beyond the veil, particularly in the past year. Participants are encouraged to bring photos or mementos.

Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity
Sunday, October 25th, 11:30 AM
Intent: Peace
Please join us for a meditation and reflection service.

Sunday Next before Advent
Sunday, October 25th, 11:30 AM
Intent: Adoration of God
Please join us for a meditation and reflection service.

Advent Sunday
Sunday, October 25th, 11:30 AM
Intent: Adoration of God
Please join us for a Holy Gnostic Eucharist service (or Meditation and Reflection service) to begin the Advent season in preparation and anticipation of the coming Nativity.

 

A Vision for the Parish

Contact: One on one conscious connections where experiences are taken seriously within the context of the spiritual path. Grounded spiritual listening. Chaplaincy model.

Contexts: Gnosticism. Religion. Philosophy. Psychology. Mythology. Symbolism. Multiple perspectives. Educational programs and opportunities. Formation programs. Developing and articulating a growing understanding.

Community: A church of friends where each brings themselves into community, and shares their insight and knowledge. Supportive of your journey. Honest. We are all in this together. No membership, just friendship.

Communion: A church where you do not have to leave a part of yourself at the door. Solemn Ritual. Uniting in ritual. Uniting with the divine. Becoming (better) mystics. Honoring of the divine within each of us.

 

Regular Services

The Ecclesia Gnostica is a publicly practicing, overtly Gnostic sacramental church within the Apostolic Succession. As a sacramental, liturgical church, we employ vestments, chant, candles, incense, bells, and other accoutrements. This serves the purpose of elevating our consciousness out of the mundane concerns to focus upon the Divine.

	Sunday Morning Gnostic Eucharist The Holy Eucharist (or Mass) is so designed that it may effectively remove the barriers separating the human and the Divine. The Ecclesia Gnostica invites all who seek this mystic union to partake of the Divine Mystery of the Eucharist. The structure and content of our Liturgy are age-old and are not altered by the passing fancies of individuals or the mundane trends of culture. Thus our service is Christian as well as Gnostic in nature, ancient as well as contemporary. The Ecclesia Gnostica in Salt Lake City celebrates the Gnostic Eucharist most Sunday mornings at 11:30 AM. Communion is open to everyone. (See schedule above.)
	Meditation and Reflection Services Meditation and reflection services provide regular spiritual practice when the rector's health prevents a liturgical service. These services begin with instruction and a mindfulness meditation period, followed by reflection/discussion on the experience. Readings (collect, lesson & gospel of the day) with a homily or reflection on the readings. Presentation and discussion on deepening spiritual practice such as discussion of the symbolism and a guided meditation on aspects of the Eucharist. Then, depending on time, ending with a closing period of spiritual exercise.
	Devotional Service to the Holy Sophia An evening service of devotion to the Holy Sophia is held monthly. It is a singularly meaningful and magical service dedicated to the Divine Feminine, unique to our particular rite. Culminating in the Litany of Love, in which love is sent forth to all. Usually prefaced by a brief Healing Service, for personal preparation. Services are held the second Wednesday of the month with the Healing service at 7 PM, and the Sophia service immediately following at approximately 7:30 PM. (Check below for months scheduled.)

2009 Services

The Holy Gnosis of Thomas Chapel in Salt Lake City will hold the following services in addition to 11:30 AM Sunday Eucharist services.

Schedule:

January:	The Epiphany - Special Epiphany service - the 7th at 7:30 PM (In lieu of the Healing & Sophia Service.)
February:	The Healing & Sophia Service will not be held this month. Ash Wednesday - Evening Eucharist Service on the 25th at 7:30 PM
March:	The Healing & Sophia Service will not be held this month. Montsegur Day - Requiem Eucharist - the 15th at 11:30 AM
April:	Holy Week Services -     Maundy Thursday - Eucharist service with foot washing on the 9th at 7 PM     Good Friday - Special service of the round dance of Jesus on the 10th at 7:30 PM     Holy Saturday Vigil - kindling the new flame & blessing of baptismal water at 7:30 PM     Easter Sunday - Eucharist service on the 12th at 11:30 AM The Healing & Sophia Service will not be held this month. Day of the Holy Prophet Mani - Manichaean Vespers
May:	Healing & Sophia Service.
June:	Day of the Holy John, the Baptist - Mandaean Vespers service
July:	Day of the Holy Mary Magdalen
August:
September:	Healing & Sophia Service
October:	Day of the Martyrdom of the Holy Templars - Vespers service of the Holy Martyrs - the 14th at 7:30 PM.
November:	All Soul's Day Requiem Eucharist
December:	No Healing & Sophia Service this month. Traditional Christmas Midnight Mass - the 25th at 12 AM

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