Thomasine Church (Gnostic)
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[edit] History
According to the lore of the Thomasine Church, Thomas the Apostle was called the "Twin" of the Savior because Christ referred to him as his spiritual twin and as an intimate confidant; according to the Church, the Thomasine movement began in Edessa, a city in eastern Syria.
[edit] The modern movement
Although lacking any verifiable historical continuity with the earliest Thomasine movement (circa the second century CE), the Church was formed as a modern manifestation of the older movement and its teachings. The Canon of the Church comprises the Gospel of Thomas, the Hymn of the Pearl, and the Book of Thomas the Contender.
The Thomasine Church was established in response to the need for an organized body to ensure the continued propagation of the Thomasine teachings as expressed in the aforementioned canon.
[edit] Doctrine
[edit] Philosophy versus religion
The Thomasine Church does not self-identify as a church in the usual sense; the Thomasine Church holds to no dogma and does not require belief in a theistic god or gods. In lieu of dogma, the Thomasine Church subscribes to rationalism and an Illuminist philosophy.
Thomasine Illuminist philosophy contends that ignorance, and not sin, is the cause of the suffering associated with the human condition. The Thomasine Church teaches that ignorance is the prefix to incorrect thoughts, words, and deeds and that ignorance is the delusion of the mind that keeps one from attaining gnosis or illumination.
[edit] Illumination
According to the doctrine of the Thomasine Church, enlightenment or the "Knowledge of the Truth" is the goal of all beings regardless of religious or philosophical affiliations. While they use some Gnostic terminology, they are not Gnostic as that term is used by some modern gnostics. They emphasize some notable differences between their theories and methods with that of other Gnostic churches. According to the Thomasine Church, enlightenment, gnosis, or illumination, is the experiential process of self-acquaintance which can be tested and replicated.
[edit] Practices and sacraments
[edit] Apolytrosis
The Apolytrosis is the chief initiatic ritual within the Church, and it is through the Apolytrosis that a Seeker becomes an Initiate of the Thomasine Church. The Apolytrosis celebrates the new initiate's commitment to walk the Illuminist path.
[edit] Sphragis
The initiatic teaching begun during the Apolytrosis is continued during the Sphragis and the Initiate affirms the stregthening of the commitment made during the Apolytrosis. The commitment the initiate reaffirms is to continue to seek Illumination no matter the difficulties presented.
Although this sacrament may be given alongside the Apolytrosis, Initiates generally wait between six months to a year, or longer, to receive the Sphragis; during the waiting period, education in Thomasine Doctrine and meditation continues.
[edit] Leitourgia
Although the Leitourgia has parallels with, and vaguely follows the same form as, the Mass of the Roman Catholic Church and the Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox and Nestorian Churches, the Leitourgia is unique to the Thomasine Church and is designed to aid its participants in lifting the veil of Ignorance.
[edit] Nymphon
The Nymphon is a ritual undergone by individuals who have attained an abiding state of Illumination.
[edit] Hierateia
The Thomasine Church maintains the three holy orders of bishop, priest, and deacon. The Hierateia, although open to any Initiate who has received the Sphragis and undergone suitable formation, is reserved to men and women who wish to teach Thomasine philosophy and technique to others.
The clerics of the Thomasine Church generally eschew hierarchy outside of ritual and formal Church functions (such as the Patriarchal Conclave); their role within the Thomasine Church, outside of the Liturgy, is that of a facilitator and instructor.
[edit] Meditation
The Thomasine Church employs several meditative techniques to aid its Initiates in the pursuit and attainment of Illumination. The goal of Thomasine meditation, like that of Theravada Buddhism's vipassana, is to attain "liberating insight."
The meditations, alongside discussion with a Thomasine teacher, and the sacraments are ways in which the "flowering conversation" of Gnosis take place. It should also be noted that meditation and guidance from an experienced teacher are considered the "core" of Thomasine practice, and the sacraments are adjunctive to them.
