The Order of Christ Sophia

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The Order of Christ-Sophia (OCS) is a new religious movement founded in 1999. Self-described Christian Mystics, the Order is a mystery school that trains its members in the doctrines and practices of esoteric Christianity.

The OCS has centers for worship and education in cities across the United States. The stated purpose of the Order is to empower men and women to live a deeply committed spiritual life in Christ through participation in daily meditation, devotional activities, and Communion services, in addition to the active pursuit of personal transformation. As in the mystical Christian tradition, the OCS emphasizes the development of direct experience and knowledge of God within one’s own being.

Christian mysticism can be understood as the “inner path” of Christianity. While the tenets and principles of mystical Christianity do not differ from traditional Christianity, the Christian mystical path is similar to the mystical paths of all the world’s major religious traditions. Each of the world religions has its own mystical tradition: For example, Islam has Sufism and Judaism has the Kabala. In mysticism, the emphasis is placed on transcending the outer forms of religion and coming into a firsthand experience of God. Some of the better-known Christian mystics have been St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis of Assisi, Padre Pio, and St. Therese of Lisieux.

The Order of Christ-Sophia has been characterized as a cross between a contemporary Christian spiritual community and an ancient mystery school. The OCS teaches a blend of Eastern and Western philosophy and practice. The Order ordains both male and female clergy, studies astrology, works with energy and healing, and practices daily meditation and spiritual exercises.

While the OCS draws from Kriya Yoga, Rosicrucianism, Christian Science, New Thought, and the Unity School of Christianity, the movement also maintains its roots in traditional Christian worship. The traditional aspect is embodied in the OCS’s preservation of the seven Sacraments, its devotion to Mother Mary, and its study of the New Testament Gospels.

Incorporated in 1999, the Order of Christ-Sophia’s immediate predecessor was the Holy Order of MANS (HOOM). This Order was founded by Father Paul Blighton in 1967. Both Father Peter Bowes and Mother Clare Watts, co-founders and co-directors of the OCS, received training within the Holy Order of MANS and an offshoot of the HOOM that formed after the HOOM disbanded in 1984. In 1999, Mother Clare and Father Peter came together to form the Order of Christ-Sophia, with its initial two spiritual centers in Boston, Massachusetts, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Like most new religious movements, the Order of Christ-Sophia has not been immune to criticism from outside groups who, in the early years of the movement’s development, disparaged the OCS as a “cult.” This was at least partially due to the high level of commitment of Order members and their belief that God comes first before everything else (including work and family). Intense commitment to the spiritual life has often been persecuted throughout Christian history, as reflected in the lives of many well-known saints.

The OCS now has multiple spiritual centers nationwide that offer transformational training, spiritual initiation, worship, communion services, weekly classes, and periodic seminars with Father Peter and Mother Clare. Twice yearly retreats are offered at an Order-sponsored retreat center in Dolores, Colorado, The Sophia Lodge & Retreat Center. The OCS plans to build an expanded facility on the grounds of the retreat center, including the Sophia Temple for World Peace, a place where people of all faiths will be welcomed to join in a round-the-clock, year-round prayer vigil for world peace.

Stated Mission of the Order of Christ-Sophia

1. Conversion of souls to God and the spiritual life through the love and grace of Jesus Christ and His Mother Mary

2. Making available to all profound spiritual transformation, in which interior wounds are healed, people are made whole, and God is the center of one’s life

3. Preparing disciples for the inner path of spiritual initiation, including Baptism, Illumination, and Self-realization

4. Training and ordaining minister-priests with the integrity, humility, and honesty that Jesus taught and demonstrated in Himself

5. Creating a loving, dedicated community of Christians who willingly strive to become committed disciples walking the way of the Christ

6. Re-establishing the original intention of Jesus to train disciples through a one-on-one Teacher-Student relationship

7. Promoting lasting peace in the world, starting within the hearts of all humankind, by healing anger and hurt, pride and fear, and growing peace, love, and joy within each one

8. Developing a temple for world peace at the Sophia Retreat Center in southwestern Colorado, in which people of all faiths will join together in a round-the-clock, year-round prayer vigil for peace in the world

The Order of Christ Sophia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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