EGC – Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica

EGC (Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica or, in English, the Gnostic Catholic Church) is the religious arm of Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO). EGC’s main activity is the performance of the Gnostic Mass (Liber XV), written in 1913 by Aleister Crowley. This eucharistic ceremony celebrates the union of female and male energy through the pageantry of the lance and the cup. The Gnostic Mass is the central ritual of Ordo Templi Orientis, both public and private. You can view the ceremony on Vimeo.

Gnosticism seeks direct communication with the divine. We hold no prescribed, acceptable way for one to experience divinity, whether externally or within themselves; hence we encourage all EGC members to perform the roles of (novice) priestess, priest or deacon for their community, and each take their turn to “administer the virtues to the Brethren.”

The EGC also serves its lay membership with ecclesiastical rites that build community through rites of passage and celebrations of life experience.

Thelemic Clergy of the EGC Provide

  • Celebrations of birth
  • Celebrations of water and fire (puberty celebrations for girls and boys)
  • Celebrations of marriage. OTO supports marriage equality and will officiate same-sex marriages. We can also perform handfastings. In VA, we follow the out-of-state clergy requirements.
  • Administration to the sick and injured
  • Administration to the dying
  • Celebrations of death
  • Pastoral counseling

Joining the Church and Roles in the Mass
To become a member of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, one must signify their intention to join and be both baptized and confirmed. We call this “lay membership” or the “layity.”

EGC clergy consist of ordained priestesses, priests, and bishops. They serve OTO, William Blake OTO members, and the greater community. EGC deacons and bishops may be of either gender.

Requirements to Become a Lay Member of EGC

  • No application, paperwork or fees are required of MMM initiates. There is an application for noninitiates.
  • Must be both baptized and confirmed in EGC
  • Lay members are not required to be OTO initiates

Baptism in EGC (watery). Baptism requirements are:

  • At least 11 years old
  • Two sponsors who are lay members of EGC to stand with you
  • A baptismal name, if desired

Confirmation in EGC (fiery). Confirmation requirements are:

  • At least 11 years old
  • Previously baptized within EGC
  • One comrade who is a lay member of EGC to stand with you
  • A confirmation name, if desired
  • A plain white robe
  • Memorized recitation of the Gnostic Creed

Requirements to Become Clergy in the Gnostic Mass or EGC
In EGC, the term “clergy” specifically refers to ordained priestesses, priests and bishops that undergo a ceremony conferring that title.

All clergy begin as novices. EGC believes in learning through experience: novices train by publicly and privately performing the Gnostic Mass and by studying EGC history, symbolism, philosophy and policy. The roles of clergy are open to any active initiate of OTO, Minerval (0°) and above, who is also an EGC lay member.

Child Role Requirements

  • Baptized member of EGC (confirmation not required)
  • Initiation into OTO not required

Novice Priestess, Priest or Deacon Role Requirements

  • Lay member of EGC (both baptized and confirmed)
  • Minerval initiate (0°) or above
  • Work under the supervision of a bishop

Deacon Ordination Requirements

  • Demonstrate proficiency in the role
  • At least of the Second Degree (II°) in OTO

Priestess or Priest Ordination Requirements

  • Demonstrate proficiency in the role
  • At least of the degree of (Dame) Knight of the East and West in OTO
  • Invitational

Please email williamblake.master@oto-usa.org if you are interested the EGC services or becoming a part of the EGC.

Eclessia Gnostica Catholica is an inseparable part of Ordo Templi Orientis USA, a nonprofit, federally recognized, tax-exempt 501(c)3 religious entity.