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The African Orthodox Church
Its Declaration of FaithConstitutions and Canons
(as amended and coded)and
Episcopate
with a
Summary of Proceedings of the First General SynodSeptember, 1921
also
Historical Notes and Apostolic Succession
from
Antioch – The First See of St. Peter, Apostle.
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Constitution
Article I. Name.
Name
Sec. 1. The name of this Church, which was organized September 2
nd
, 1921 isand shall be THE AFRICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH.
Faith Orthodox
Sec. 2. The faith of this Church as declared, is ORTHODOX, in conformitywith the Orthodox Churches of the East from which its Episcopate is derived.
Membership All Races – Purpose
Sec. 3. The A.O.C. admits to membership and other privileges persons of allraces. It seeks particularly to reach out and enfold the millions African descentin both hemispheres.
Autonomous. Controlled by Negroes. Is Independent
Sec. 4. The A.O.C. declares itself to be and is perpetually autonomous,autocephalous and controlled by Negroes. Hence the name, AFRICANORTHODOX. In the exercise of its Sovereign rights the A.O.C. is independentof every other Orthodox Eastern Church or Jurisdiction.
Article II. Government and Authority
Hierarchy
Sec.1. The government of the African Orthodox Church shall beHIERARCHIAL
Legislative Authority The General Synod
Sec. 2. The general legislation of this Church and the direction of all matterswhich concern and belong to and affect the Church as a whole, shall be and isvested in its General Synod, subject to its “DECLARATION OF FAITH” and tosuch Constitution and Canons as it may from time to time adopt.
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Executive Supervisory and General Administrative Authority
Sec. 3 (A). The executive supervisory general administrative and supremeauthority of the A.O.C. shall be vested in an Archbishop, with the rank anddignity of a PATRIARCH and he shall be designated upon his election by theConclave or House of Bishops, of which every Bishop of the A.O.C. is amember and must CAST a vote.
The Patriarch, Primates, Bishops and Holy Consistory
(B)
The patriarch, Primates, Bishops and Holy Consistory are integralparts of the executive, supervisory and general administration.
Election Confirmed by General Synod, A Life Term
Sec. 4. Notification of the election of the Patriarch and the date, time and placeof said election shall be duly given and proclaimed to the Holy Consistory andthe General Synod of the A.O.C The term of office of the Patriarch shall be thatof his natural life.
Specific Duties Set Forth in Canons
Sec. 5. The specific duties of the Patriarch shall be those set forth in the Canonor Canons of the General Synod of the African Orthodox Church.
Jurisdiction
Sec. 6. The A.O.C. has jurisdiction in its own name and right in the UnitedStates of America and in all the world wherever it may be established.
Provinces
Sec. 7 (a). The A.O.C. shall be divided into Territories following National orother geographical lines, termed PROVINCES appropriately named, over whichthe Bishop presiding shall have the rank and title of Archbishop.
Archbishop Metropolitan
(b). The Archbishop presiding over the General Synod of a National Provinceshall be designated PRIMATE or METROPOLITAN of the same.
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