Eastern Order of the Protecting Veil
About us
Our monastic community embodies the ideals and qualities of the Eastern Christian Church while embracing Franciscan inclusiveness. As an intentionally formed dispersed community, we strive to follow the examples of "Loving Thy Neighbor" and make it our mission to proclaim the Good News at all times. We offer ourselves as a sacrifice to the world, serving Orthodox, Catholic, Christian, and non-believers alike.
Our community consists of monks, nuns, and monastics who have entered into a Covenant of Intercommunion with the Companions of the Holy Family. Through this partnership, both communities are able to provide an inclusive and traditional monastic experience for individuals of all gender identities. The leadership of both communities presents in their preferred gender identity, giving the monastic the freedom to choose a superior who identifies as masculine or feminine, while maintaining the nonbinary nature of the traditional eastern monastic habit.
Our ministry focuses on Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholics who seek a welcoming and affirming monastic community that embraces the fullness of Eastern liturgical worship. While it is not necessary to be a member within the jurisdictional communion of this community, our members must actively seek or participate in a local congregation or sacramental jurisdiction that will bless their involvement within our Community.
Who We Are
As the Eastern Order of the Holy Protecting Veil, we are a dispersed, traditional and inclusive Eastern monastic community.
We adhere to pre-schism byzantine traditions in our faith and liturgy.
We are traditional in our rituals, degrees, and beliefs within an inclusive Franciscan inspired theology while living monastic lives and supporting our local ministries and parishes.
The Tenets
The Tenets of our monastic community are the vows professed:
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Simplicity
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Obedience
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Transformation of Life
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Charity
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Respect
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Enlightenment
Our Rules
Eastern Christian Monasticism does not have religious orders, nor does Eastern monasticism have monastic Rules, though as an inclusive monastic community, we do follow a way of life, our Typikon, based off the Tenets of our Community.
Degree Houses
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Inquirer - a person with an interest in the Community.
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Postulant- meaning "one under obedience",
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Rassophore/ Novice - meaning "Robe-bearer"
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Stavrophore/ Life Professed- meaning "Cross-bearer"
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Great Schema/ Perpetual Professed