Liturgy of the EGH

 The Roman Catholic Church recognizes over ten thousand saints.  In attempting to conform the list of saints to a list which may be comfortably read, in extremis, during the performance of Liber XV, many worthy individuals have been admitted

It is the sad fact that the lives and lessons of the Gnostic Saints are often ignored while focus is given to how to correctly say their names.  The EGH encourages the study and discussion of the lives of the Saints, and one role of the Episcopate is to promote knowledge about and study of the saints, and the history of Gnostic and Esoteric thought.

It is not generally to be expected that the full list of Saints will not be used in a given Mass.  The College of Prelates will set up suggested rotations so that all of the various Saints of the Canon are honored, however the choice of which Saints to honor at any given ritual, if any, is the choice of the Ordained Clergy.

Which of the names, or naming variations e.g. “Apollonius of Tyana, Apollonius Tyanæus” etc. is left to the individual choice of the Ordained Clergy.  The Novice Clergy shall follow the direction of the Ordained clergy responsible for the ritual in this regard

Whatever the ritual or cultural basis behind the omission of the names, or existence of women within the original canon of Saints laid out by Aleister Crowley in Liber XV, there is not now, nor has there ever been, even a traditional prohibition against adding additional worthy figures to the canon, just as the Gnostic Mass, itself, was never put forward as a ritual which could not be revised.

The EGH believes that the canon must be inclusive of all individuals, whatever their expression of gender.

For purposes of clarity and study we have found it easier to create artificial divisions between various types of Saints within the EGH.  There is no “relative importance,” within the divisions, rather they are convenient groupings which suggest how any given Saint might best be approached or utilized in ritual.  

Despite the classification of “Gnostic Saints” the original Canon contains the names of many figures who had no relation to traditional Gnosticism or Gnostic thought, but whose contributions can be considered principally as patrons of magic, inspiration, or initiation.

In particular we have created the category of “Patrons” who are often and repeatedly invoked in the work of our members.  The Patrons are not merely a pro-forma catalog of figures and deities, but those which have a close relationship to the work of the Order General.

This is the canon of those people generally believed to have been born human or to represent an actual human person, either historically or fictionally.  It is their writing, teaching or actions which principally lead to their consideration as Gnostic Saints. This rough classification does not exclude them from consideration as intercessors or sources of ritual power.

In some cases where an individual is both a deity or is syncretic with a deity, but also has a fairly established story which provides much of the context for their actions, they are currently listed with the Canon of Gnostic Saints.

TTO acknowledges a debt to many individuals and public discussions in various forums which produced suggestions, in particular in regards to women, which have been included in the current canon. 

This is the canon of those individuals, whether historical, fictional, or legendary, whose principal consideration as Saints is their energy, legend, or intercession.  This rough classification does not exclude them from consideration as actual individuals.

Where an individual is historical, but has little relation to the Gnostic current and is mostly referenced because of their relationship to magic, or intercessory powers, they are currently listed among the Patron Saints.

In many traditional Churches which have a concept similar to "Saint," the identities of Saints are local.  Locations may adopt individual patrons without necessarily referring them to the College of Prelates for inclusion in the overall Canon, though they are encouraged to do so.