THE PEOPLE
The People represent those who accept the Law of Thelema and the Creed of the Gnostic Church. Their journey begins with a foundational commitment to discovering and doing their True Will, embodying the essence of the Man of Earth.
To become Anointed members of the EGU, they must be recognised by a member of the Priesthood or the Episcopate for at least a year and a day. This probationary period ensures the sincerity of their commitment to Thelema and provides an opportunity for deeper integration into the community.
Their primary duty is to strive to find and manifest their True Wills, participating in the life of the church as seekers and supporters.
THE PRIESTHOOD: PRIESTS, PRIESTESSES, & DEACONS
Members of the Priesthood are Anointed individuals from among The People who have decided, according to their Wills, to serve Thelema in a greater capacity. They embody the grade of the Lover, implying a closer proximity to knowing their True Will or having already discovered it. Their roles are multifaceted, requiring proficiency in the Creation of the Eucharist, which signifies the ability to perform sacred rituals that unite the spiritual and material realms.
They are tasked with Administering the Virtues to the Congregation and observing the Rituals of the Elements and the Feast of the Times, acting as intermediaries between the divine and the earthly.
Priests and Priestesses can officiate Anointments, Marriages, and Greater Feasts, serving as spiritual guides for the community. Additionally, they have the authority to Ordain other members into the Priesthood, thereby expanding the church’s capacity to perform its sacraments and rituals.
As representatives of the Lover, they are expected to act as embodiments of Thelemic love, or Agape, fostering unity and spiritual growth within the Congregation.
THE EPISCOPATE: BISHOPS & SOPHIAS
The Episcopate comprises members of the Priesthood who have attained the grade of the Hermit, embodying a profound connection with the Mystery of Babalon. Their spiritual attainment is reflected in their aspiration to reside in the City of the Pyramids under the Night of PAN, signifying an advanced understanding and integration of Thelemic principles.
They possess all the duties and powers of the Priesthood but carry additional responsibilities, including the Consecration of new Bishops and Sophias. This role demands a deep level of spiritual insight and leadership, guiding the church and its members in their Thelemic practices and pursuits.
As Hermits, members of the Episcopate embody the solitary and inward-focused nature of this grade, yet they also serve the church in a leadership capacity. They are tasked with maintaining the spiritual integrity of the EGU, ensuring that its teachings and practices align with the Law of Thelema. Their role is both spiritual and administrative, overseeing the functioning of the church while also serving as beacons of Thelemic wisdom and understanding.
Gnostic Bishops of the Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis may be of either sex; female Bishops are called Sophias, and preface their Mystic Name with the Hebrew letter “Shin” or “Sh”. Male Bishops assume a Mystic Name prefaced with the Hebrew letter “Tau” or “T”. The Shin represents the Hebrew word Shekinah, the divine feminine presence or Shakti, as well as the triple flame of the Spirit, the threefold mantra of the Dakini, and numerous other Mysteries. The Hebrew Tau represents the shape of the Body of Nuit.
IN CONCLUSION
Each level of membership in Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis serves a distinct purpose in the spiritual hierarchy of Thelema, facilitating the individual and collective pursuit of True Will.
The People lay the foundation through acceptance of the Law and the Creed, the Priesthood fosters and performs sacred rituals and community leadership, and the Episcopate provides spiritual oversight and deeper insight into the mysteries of Thelema.
Together, these three levels form a cohesive structure that supports the spiritual evolution of its members and the manifestation of Thelemic principles in the world.