The
Gnostic Catholic Church, or
Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, was founded in 1907 by Jean Bricaud, Gérard Encausse and Louis-Sophrone Fugairon. In 1908 Theodor Reuss also received
consecration and
authority in the church in thanks for granting a patent to Encausee for the
Masonic Rites of Memphis and Mizraim. In this year the church itself was incorporated into the
O.T.O. (
Ordo Templi Orientis).
In 1913
Aleister Crowley coined the term
Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica when he wrote the
Gnostic Mass which became adopted as an official rite. The publication of the Mass was formal acceptance of the
Law of Thelema by the G.C.C.
The Gnostic Catholic Church became an integral part of the O.T.O. when Aleister Crowley declared himself "Sovereign
Patriarch and Primate of the Gnostic Catholic Church" in 1918.
The Gnostic Catholic Church is not recognized as an official
Christian church and does not administer any Christian
Sacraments.
For more information: http://www.otohq.org