Celtic Christianity-
Joseph of Arimathea; Patrick of Ireland; Angus of Keld; Hilda of Whitby; Brigid of Kildare; Columba of Iona; Brendan the Navigator; these are just a handful of names of many venerable saints who gave their all to spread the Gospel of Christ to the tribal peoples of Western Europe and the British Isles. Before there was even a church established in Rome, the Faith and traditions of the Apostles was being preached in Londinium. These ancient Christians were a vibrant part of the early Orthodox Church, which, despite much persecution and many trials, would spread from Jerusalem as far West as the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, South into Africa and India, and Eastward into Russia and neighboring lands. Up through the first six centuries, the Celtic peoples built many churches and monasteries, developed their own distinct liturgical forms, and continued to preach the Gospel of Christ and the Apostolic Faith. The eventual ascendancy of the Roman Papal See brought many alterations and persecutions to the Celtic Churches, which were over time driven into obscurity; but their history has been preserved, and is being rediscovered by those faithful who hunger and thirst for a faith in Christ that has not been gutted by alterations and innovations, or even created new from whole cloth.
For those who ask: Is there a true historical basis for what Christians believe? Is there more to worship than a pipe organ and a three-point sermon? Is there a theology deeper than the latest hit Christian pop song? Isn't the Gospel of Christ more than a building fund campaign disguised as a pop-psychology self-help seminar? Can believers achieve true Communion with God and with each other? The answer is a resounding "YES." Come and see; experience the historic roots of the ancient Christian Faith.
For those who ask: Is there a true historical basis for what Christians believe? Is there more to worship than a pipe organ and a three-point sermon? Is there a theology deeper than the latest hit Christian pop song? Isn't the Gospel of Christ more than a building fund campaign disguised as a pop-psychology self-help seminar? Can believers achieve true Communion with God and with each other? The answer is a resounding "YES." Come and see; experience the historic roots of the ancient Christian Faith.
The Early Church-- it's not what you expected!
Bp. Timothy, Cele De
entered the Orthodox Church through one of the Russian Orthodox jurisdictions at age 20. His parish needed a Deacon, so the Bishop of his parish requested that he begin his ecclesiastic education. Through the tutoring of the local Bishop, as well as the priest of that parish, he studied for 2 years and then was ordained Deacon. It was a year later that, through parish need, the Bishop asked him to continue his education and through various priests within the jurisdiction who had higher educations (M.Div and above) he studied under them and eventually was ordained to the Priesthood 1 year later. Time passed and he was made Cathedral pastor for his city and jurisdiction and was named Archpriest.
At that time, there was controversy within the jurisdiction with those who were influenced severely by the Roman Catholic Church. The Archbishop was indecisive and did not wish to lose anyone and thought that the conflict could be resolved and everyone saved. Fr. Timothy disagreed because the beliefs were so divided amongst those who were truly Orthodox and those that were Orthodox in name only and would have been much better served in the Roman Catholic Church. Due to the extraordinary circumstances, Fr. Timothy requested and was granted a release. He then joined the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church which had a Celtic Rite within it's jurisdiction. That Ukrainian Church granted the Celtic Rite a Tomos of Autocephaly and parted ways; but not before Fr. Timothy was elevated to the dignity of Bishop and served on the synod of the newly restored Celtic Church.
Due to personal reasons, Bp. Timothy took an extended away time until this year, but now serves a local parish in Smyrna, Tn, and is currently active within the Church.
At that time, there was controversy within the jurisdiction with those who were influenced severely by the Roman Catholic Church. The Archbishop was indecisive and did not wish to lose anyone and thought that the conflict could be resolved and everyone saved. Fr. Timothy disagreed because the beliefs were so divided amongst those who were truly Orthodox and those that were Orthodox in name only and would have been much better served in the Roman Catholic Church. Due to the extraordinary circumstances, Fr. Timothy requested and was granted a release. He then joined the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church which had a Celtic Rite within it's jurisdiction. That Ukrainian Church granted the Celtic Rite a Tomos of Autocephaly and parted ways; but not before Fr. Timothy was elevated to the dignity of Bishop and served on the synod of the newly restored Celtic Church.
Due to personal reasons, Bp. Timothy took an extended away time until this year, but now serves a local parish in Smyrna, Tn, and is currently active within the Church.
Sub-Deacon David Andrew, Cele De
converted to Orthodoxy, after nearly two years of careful consideration and prayer, and was chrismated into the Church in April of 2015. He was tonsured as sub-deacon of Holy Resurrection in June of the same year, and continues his education under Bp. Timothy.
What we are about:
Our primary goal is always spreading the Gospel of Christ, because the Resurrection of Jesus, the fully-divine, fully-human, only-begotten Son of the Living God, is the ultimate source of hope for the human soul, both for this temporary life, and the eternal life to come.
We seek to do this, in large part, by promoting the worship, the doctrines, and the history of the ancient Apostolic Church, spread through Western Europe and the British Isles from the First through Sixth Centuries.
We believe the treasured wisdom of ancient Christianity to be a healing balm for those suffering from the jaded cynicism and shallow superficiality that so afflicts our postmodern society, believers and non-believers alike.
If you are dissatisfied with all of the feel-good approaches to contemporary spirituality; if you are exhausted by the nihilistic weight of secular-humanism; if you have worn yourself out chasing the illusionary, consumer-driven phantom called "happiness" and hear in your heart that there MUST be something more meaningful out there, then we challenge you to boldly explore the bold, untamed faith of the ancient Church!
We seek to do this, in large part, by promoting the worship, the doctrines, and the history of the ancient Apostolic Church, spread through Western Europe and the British Isles from the First through Sixth Centuries.
We believe the treasured wisdom of ancient Christianity to be a healing balm for those suffering from the jaded cynicism and shallow superficiality that so afflicts our postmodern society, believers and non-believers alike.
If you are dissatisfied with all of the feel-good approaches to contemporary spirituality; if you are exhausted by the nihilistic weight of secular-humanism; if you have worn yourself out chasing the illusionary, consumer-driven phantom called "happiness" and hear in your heart that there MUST be something more meaningful out there, then we challenge you to boldly explore the bold, untamed faith of the ancient Church!