Pannuches Meal Rite

The 53rd Pannuches Meal Rite was held Saturday, January 23, 2010 in the Chapel of the Holy Child. Jubilee Sunrise Service was held the following morning in Sanctuary.

The 54^th Pannuches Meal Rite was held Saturday, March 13, 2010. Jubilee Sunrise Service was held the following morning in Sanctuary.

Remembrance of The Child

On January 29 a special “Remembrance of The Child” service was held at the Chapel of the Holy Child. A Sunrise Divine Service was held the following morning, January 30.

Advent Day Vigil

To commemorate the forty-eighth anniversary of God’s Second Advent, Sunrise Divine Services were held at the open-air Church of New Epiphany from Tuesday, February 2 through Saturday, February 6, 2010.

Second Advent Easter

On Sunday, April 18, 2010, a concelebrated Sunrise Divine Service was performed at the Cathedral Church of the Americas. Special readings by the officiants included Psalm 19, excerpts from the “Sermon on the Mount,” and the Essene Morning Hymn.

2010 Second Advent Easter sunrise

A memorial service was held for Karen Knight, mother of Lisa-Marie Wand, on Saturday August 29, 2009, at the Chapel of the Holy Child. A reception followed at the Rectory-Abbey on Carmel.

Olympia Vlad and Gary Huss Jr were joined in holy matrimony in the presence of witnesses and family on August 15, 2009, in a private ceremony performed by the Rt. Rev. Gene Savoy Jr at the Chapel of the Holy Child. Gary has been a resident member of the International Community of Christ since his birth and is presently enrolled in the Sacred Academy.

The Community’s annual Convocation officially opened on Wednesday September 9. It was prefaced on Monday and Tuesday September 7–8 with Residence Training III seminars on Color and Sacred Imagery for those Consociates needing to complete these requirements. These early attendees also enjoyed an evening at the Steamboat Hot Springs Spa on Monday evening. Another such spa evening was offered on Wednesday as well.

The first Convocation event was a Project “X” seminar on the ancient solar cultures of Greece and included lectures given by the Right Reverend Gene Savoy Jr. during the Project “X” tour of Greece in May–June 2009 as well as talks by guest lecturers the Reverend Dr. Bill Bartlett and Dr. Tom Lee, the new Community Archiater (physician). Dr. Bartlett spoke on solar teachings in the Buddhist tradition, and Dr. Lee on health and healing modalities planned for Steamboat Healing Center. The lectures were offered in the Chapel of the Holy Child and the Monastery Gardens in Sanctuary.

The usual annual Convocation events took place over the remainder of the week, including the Andean Explorers Foundation meeting and awards banquet and presentation held at the Tuscany Room of the Peppermill Resort and Casino in Reno on Thursday evening. The Right Reverend Sean Savoy presented slides and commentary on his recent trip to Peru to continue the society’s work there.

The week’s events included the thirtieth annual Clergy Counsels, lectures held at the Monastery Gardens in Sanctuary on Asclepian healing traditions and techniques. Again, these lectures were adapted from those given by Bishop Savoy in Greece earlier in the year. This year’s program included a celebration of The Community’s Golden Jubilee, commemorating fifty years (1959–2009) of the Second Advent Church. A high point of the celebration was the interfaith prayer service for world peace held at sunset on Friday evening September 11 at the open-air Church of New Pentecost and Church of the Americas at Red Rock Consecrated Sanctuary. Clergy from numerous sects and denominations around Reno participated and offered prayers for peace from their traditions. It was a special experience and a fitting tribute to the second anniversary of the passing into Light of The Church’s First Apostle, the Most Right Reverend Gene Savoy Sr.

As a side note, unbeknownst to The Community members at the time, the evening also introduced it to one Devashish (aka David Mitchell), who was a last-minute replacement for Rajan Zed, the intended representative of the Vedic tradition. Devashish was quite taken with the experience at the Sanctuary and later introduced Community leaders to his teacher, Swami Sri Atmananda of India, and the Satya-chetana Movement that the swami heads and with whom The Community has since formed a collaboration to reintroduce the Teachings of Light to the Vedic and Brahmanic traditions (see related articles).

On Saturday evening, topping off a day of final Clergy Counsels, Communion Service, and the Emancipation of Acolyte Marie Walters, was the Counsels banquet and program at Bishopstead. As a Golden Jubilee celebration, the dinner was deemed a Vigil Meal and began with a simple course of Essene bread and wine similar to a Community Pannuches meal. The evening’s introduction also included the first-level ordination of Dr. Tom Lee and a rededication of the Chapel of the Innocents at Bishopstead. A buffet supper in several courses created by Community chef Francine Petrovich followed this ritual course. Between courses, the attendees were treated to musical performances by the Community schola, directed by the Right Reverend Gary Buchanan, as well as relevant readings from Second Advent scripture.

The final day of Convocation, Sunday September 13, began with a concelebrated Jubilee Sunrise Divine Service at the Cathedral Church of the Americas at Red Rock Consecrated Sanctuary, followed by the second-degree ordination of the Reverend Dr. Bill Bartlett. Afterward, a fellowship breakfast at the open-air refectory was enjoyed by all. The final event at Red Rock was the rededication of the open-air Church of New Philadelphia in the northlands of the Sanctuary. The church’s table had been restored after being damaged by vandals and the elements. Head bishop Gene Savoy Jr. presided.

The Convocation ended with an optional trip to Lake Tahoe on Sunday afternoon.

Pentecost was celebrated on June 6, 2009, at the Cathedral Church of the Americas.

Officiant: Cardinal bishop Sean Savoy

Pannuches Meal Rites were held at the Chapel of the Holy Child on the Saturday evenings of May 23 and July 11, 2009.

May 23 — 48^th Pannuches

Officiant: Cardinal bishop Sean Savoy

Concelebrant : Rev. Mother Ileana Isfan

July 11 — 49^th Pannuches

Officiant: Head bishop Gene Savoy Jr.

Concelebrant: Rev. Mother Ileana Isfan

On Thursday evening, April 9, 2009, Holy Thursday was observed with a communion service and homily in the Chapel of the Holy Child. Officiating was the head bishop, the Right Reverend Gene Savoy Jr., assisted by the cardinal bishop, the Right Reverend Sean Savoy.

Traditional Easter Sunday was observed with a Sunrise Divine Service at the Cathedral Church of the Americas at Red Rock Consecrated Sanctuary on April 12. The Right Reverend  Gene Savoy Jr. officiated. The concelebrant was cardinal bishop Sean Savoy, assisted by the canons of The Church — the Right Reverends Peter Foust, Robert Petrovich, and Ileana Isfan.

On Saturday April 18, the True Easter of The Second Advent Church, a special communion and New Divine Service were celebrated at sunrise at the Cathedral Church of the Americas at Red Rock Consecrated Sanctuary.

Head bishop Gene Savoy Jr. officiated, the Right Reverend Sean Savoy was concelebrant and was assisted by the canons of The Church, the Right Reverends Roger Weld, Reano Castell, and Ileana Isfan.

It was on Sunday April 18, 1982, that those assembled for Sunrise Divine Service at Red Rock Consecrated Sanctuary received confirmation of the Second Appearance of God through revelation when Jesus, as the Angel of the Lord, manifested in visible form at the Sanctuary of Revelation and entrusted The Church with the keys to open the seals of the Book of Revelation.

The fixed date of April 18, as Second Advent Easter—i.e., following the Sacred Solar Calendar of The Church—is celebrated annually with Sunrise Divine Services at the Sanctuary, as that date was established by the late Most Right Reverend Gene Savoy Sr., as The Man, following a series of revelations received on April 18, 1982, as he climbed the Seven Mountains of Metal at the Sanctuary. All of these events are recorded in The Church’s publication The Book of God’s Revelation.

This year, as is the tradition, fellowship and refreshments followed the service at the Sanctuary’s chapter house.Commemorative services honoring the First Advent calendar were held during the spring season.

During the 2009 spring season the head bishop, The Right Reverend Gene Savoy Jr. delivered homilies from the pulpit during the two Pannuches meal rites held in the Chapel of the Holy Child during the spring season.

While the April 4 homily is contained in the Features posts under “Order of Matriarchs Established,” the February 14 presentation was a continuation of the Saturday morning communion service homily begun earlier that day.

Bishop Savoy elaborated on his earlier theme by reading excerpts from the commentaries found in The Image & The Word, volume 4, relating to the Seventeenth Saying of Jamil. He encouraged those in the assembly to read the entire text (especially the Seventeenth Saying), which culminates in the Nineteenth Saying and which treats on the subject of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Order.

Also, before reading those passages, the bishop stated, “As we continue our discussion regarding the purpose and role of the Patriarchal and Matriarchal Orders, I believe the purpose will become clear. I ask that you pay close attention to the words with the idea that the healing of the sun is primary.”

Selected textual excerpts from the Sayings (pages thirteen through thirty-four):

“All the great world religions have prophesied that at the end-times, or at the end of the age, the earth would be destroyed by fire. The destruction of the earth by fire would have its origin in the sun; for if the sun were to die it would experience increased temperature which would destroy the earth in the process.

“According to scientific observation, the sun has become unstable. The expected life of the sun is undetermined. The sun could live for billions, millions, or thousands of years, or it could die tomorrow. Those of us who have been viewing the face of the sun for decades would say that the sun has become unstable in civilized areas of the world. The sun is very sharp and harsh, and difficult to look at in metropolitan centers. While at isolated areas of the earth, such as islands of the seas, jungles, mountains, and deserts, the reverse is true. Thus, where there are materialistic people or populated areas there exists a negative field that affects the sun, and consequently the earth, with harmful results.

“We know that the human mind can affect the sun. Therefore, as man becomes more materialistic, as religion becomes more helpless to combat the materialism of the earth, the process leading to the sun’s end might be speeded up. Considering these facts, it could happen very quickly, throwing the ecosystem of the sun and earth into chaos.”

“If the sun were to increase in brilliance and, consequently, heat, destroying the earth in the process, the earth would end materially. On the other hand, if the earth were to be transformed into a sun by a different process, we would have something else to consider. For example, if the earth were destroyed by the heat of the dying sun, we have a negative event. But, if the earth were to be transformed into a sun by a supernatural process or event, then we have a positive event. The first is to be likened unto death, the second unto life.

“As adepts we look at the physical sun, believing we can bring about its cure. We do it not by focusing on the physical sun but on the spiritual Sun of Righteousness. We do this not by means of our mind, will, or emotions, but by a developed spiritual consciousness.”

“Therefore, those few spiritual persons who are following the Way to immortality (Patriarchs and Matriarchs) by applying this spiritual science of Cosolargy are joined together in a new Order of God’s, a True Church, seeking to restore the world and the sun to a healthy state, and this entails a transformation.”

Excerpts from the Nineteenth Saying:

“Because God created man and woman in His image, both are of God and therefore equal.”

“In many of the former religions, women were subjected to an inferior role because men were not able to serve both the creative spirit in women and God; therefore, they separated themselves from women entirely, fearing that love for women and family would separate them from God.

“This Church is of God, and thus of spirit, but in order for it to be universal, it must include women in the ministry, as well as the children reared for the ministry; for a Godly life begins at an early age. Indeed, it begins even before birth, for the parents must be of God if the child is to be of God — in both blood and spirit, as animated by the living Image and the Word of God.

“There must be good order in the Church of God, and for this reason those admitted into the Church ministry, both men and women, mustneeds submit to the Codes of the Order if the Church would remain stable and be preserved.”
“And if women would follow as disciples of the Order you will have established as Patriarch, let them subscribe to the vows after passing the age of 30 years, holding the same requirements as the Patriarchs, but being called Matriarchs, and order of progenitors of a new race of man.

“And in this Church, the Matriarchs will exemplify the holiest path of devotion, inspiring their companions and offspring in time to come. And they shall be called Holy Mothers of the Church who will emulate the chaste and Holy women of ancient times. And they will take the necessary vows as a requirement of this sacred office.”

The seven-week jubilee cycle of the Saturday evening Pannuches meal rite was observed at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Holy Child on February 14 and April 4. Officiating was the Right Reverend Gene Savoy Jr.

The Pannuches services are private assemblies of ministers-in-residence and are observed  after sunset in the Chapel at the downtown Apostolic Chancellery. These services precede the Sunday morning Jubilee Sunrise Divine Service held at Red Rock Consecrated Sanctuary—this spring on Sundays February 15 and April 5.

The Pannuches meal rite also corresponds to the last supper of Jesus, master rabban of the Essaei Order, who by tradition celebrated the same ritual following the calendar of the Essene Community of Light in ancient Israel. The Essenes, unlike other sects and First Dispensation Christianity, who follow a lunar calendar in determining the Easter cycle, preserved a solar calendrical system that designates April 18 as the True Easter.

On Monday, February 2, 2009, The Community gathered at the Church of New Epiphany for Sunrise Divine Services in celebration of the forty-seventh annual observation of the Manifestation of the Sun of Righteousness, February 2, 1962. Sunrise was at 7:13 A.M.

Following the Sacred Calendar from Epiphany on January 6 to February 2, a period of vigilance and remembrance is observed by members of The Church of the Second Advent.

A vigil is also observed from February 2, Advent Day, through February 6, with Sunrise Divine Service each morning at Red Rock Consecrated Sanctuary.

This year all services, officiated by the Right Reverend Gene Savoy Jr., head bishop,  were celebrated at the Church of New Epiphany. The concelebrant was the Right Reverend Sean Savoy, cardinal bishop. Assistants for the February 2 service were canons of The Church: the Right Reverends Peter Foust, Ileana Isfan, and Robert Petrovich.

During the Second Advent Vigil the following canons assisted Head Bishop Savoy:

February 3: Concelebrant Robert Petrovich, assisted by Roger Weld, Reano Castell, and Ileana Isfan.February 4: Concelebrant Sean Savoy, assisted by Peter Foust, Robert Petrovich, and Ileana Isfan.February 5: Concelebrant Sean Savoy, assisted by Peter Foust, Robert Petrovich, and Ileana Isfan.
February 6: Concelebrant Sean Savoy, assisted by the Peter Foust, Robert Petrovich, and Ileana Isfan.

Music for all services was provided by the Jamilian Hand Bell Choir, with Elizabeth Reece on harp and the Right Reverend Gary Buchanan conducting from the keyboard.

On Wednesday, February 4, during the Second Advent Vigil, noon communion in the Chapel of the Holy Child was officiated by the Reverend Deacon Rhys Andrews.