St. Vincent of Lerins in the early fifth century defined catholicity as "what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all."

A.D. 1246

The word Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a Medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246 meaning "the Church of the English". The term Anglican is found referring officially to the Church of England as far back as the 16th Century.

The name Anglican for this Church comes from the Latin word for 'English' because the Church started in England. In the history of the British Isles, Anglican Churches have been the official or State religion in all parts of the Kingdom at one time or another.

Anglican Church leaders - simply called 'The Church', and royal government of the King simply called the King or the 'State', worked together in what is called the alliance of "Throne". Together, they tried to make the Anglican denomination as broad and welcoming as possible to a wide range of Christian believers.

They did this to try to get as many citizens as they could to worship in The Official Authorized Church of England called

> > "The English" Church in Latin and

> > "The Anglican Church is English.

From 1534 until nearly 1900, most Rulers and Church Leaders everywhere believed this was a good idea both to be intertwined as one: for unity, for religious truth, for national peace and security.

The English Church as the Authorized State Church - the Anglican - was formed to displace the Roman Catholic Church and all kinds of Protestants by including the best ideas, traditions, and practices of both branches in the Anglican Church.

In Britain and Ireland where Anglicanism is still the Authorized Religion is England, the monarch, Queen Elizabeth II is the Supreme Governor on Earth of the Church of England.

Anglicanism, in its structures, theology, and forms of worship, is commonly understood as a distinct Christian tradition representing a middle ground between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism and, as such, is often referred to as being a via media (or middle way) between these traditions.

The faith of Anglicans is founded in the Scriptures and the Gospels, the traditions of the apostolic Church, the historic episcopate, the first four Ecumenical Councils, and the early Church Fathers. Anglicans understand the Old and New Testaments as 'containing all things necessary for salvation' and as being the rule and ultimate standard of faith.

Anglicans also understand the Apostles' Creed as the baptismal symbol, and the Nicene Creed as the sufficient statement of the Christian faith.

A.D. 1549

The first Book of Common Prayer (BCP) was compiled by Thomas Cranmer, who was then Archbishop of Canterbury. Whilst it has since undergone many revisions and Anglican churches in different countries have developed other service books, the Prayer Book is still acknowledged as one of the ties that bind the Anglican Communion together.

In the time of Henry VIII the nature of Anglicanism was based on questions of jurisdiction—specifically, the belief of the Crown that national churches should be autonomous—rather than theological disagreement.

The effort to create a national church in legal continuity with its traditions, but inclusive of certain doctrinal and liturgical beliefs of the Reformers, was joined by a real concern to make the institution as hospitable as possible to people of different theological inclinations, so as to maintain social peace and cohesion.

The result has been a movement with a distinctive self-image among Christian movements. The question often arises as to whether the Anglican Communion should be identified as a Protestant or Catholic church, or perhaps as a distinct branch of Christianity altogether.

The official position of the Anglican Communion is that, like the Roman Catholic and Orthodox communions, it is a full and distinct branch of the "One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church," created by Christ.

HOW ARE WE "CATHOLIC"?

St. Vincent of Lerins in the early fifth century defined catholicity as "what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all." It is by this test that we Anglicans consider ourselves to be catholic, together with the great churches of Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism and the Union of Utrecht ("Old Catholics").

The seal that is the Apostolic Succession, the consecration of our bishops at the hands of other bishops tracing their consecrations back to the apostles themselves.

The faith is that expressed in the three creeds of catholicism: Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian;

It was clarified and applied by the first seven Ecumenical Councils meeting in the first seven centuries of Christendom, well before the Great Schism of the Church into East and West. We stress the underlying unity of faith and order with this early Church and judge contemporary issues in the light of Holy Scriptures and that Holy Tradition.

ARE WE PROTESTANT?

The Church of England arose as a separate catholic body out of the English version of the Reformation in the sixteenth century, but never intended the type of dramatic separation advocated by Protestants on the Continent.

It took great care to preserve the Apostolic Succession, and with it the sacramental life of the Church, but at the same time participated fully in the rediscovery of Holy Scripture and the ministry of the Word so dear to Protestants. Are we catholic or protestant?

In truth, the Church of England, by the beginning of the 17th century, is a reformed Catholic Church.

WHAT IS OUR WORSHIP LIKE?

Anglicans throughout the world owe a tremendous debt to the Book of Common Prayer, a creation of sixteenth century England which has been periodically revised through the centuries. The liturgical form or ritual which you observe in our worship may seem strange to those who have experienced a freer, less structured form elsewhere. But we find that although the Prayer Book shapes and directs our worship, it frees it to be particularly ours.

No one who worships for long in the Anglican Catholic Church will fail to know what is happening nor will they be surprised at an unexpected twist or turn. Knowing the liturgy means being able to pray as though it were your own personal prayer, as well as the united and impersonal worship of the community.

We also feel that the Prayer Book contains some of the finest English ever written, stemming from that apex of English literature, the Elizabethan period. This elevated and "churchy" language reminds us continually that God reigns above the trendy and contemporary fads of current society.

You will also note that the principal service of the Anglican Catholic Church is the Holy Eucharist, or Mass. This celebration of Christ's sacrifice for us on the Cross stands at the heart of all that we are and do.

In it, our Lord Jesus is made truly present to each of us and is received by each in Holy Communion (we hold that, as a rule, one should not receive the Communion regularly until one has been instructed in the Faith and confirmed by a bishop in Apostolic Succession).

But for all, young or old, communicant or not, Christ is uniquely present in the Eucharist and that presence is continued as the Body of Christ is reserved on the altar at all times.

HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER OF CHRIST CHURCH?

If you wish to join us in our worship of God and witness to Jesus Christ, we are delighted to welcome you. The first step is to make your desire known to one of the clergy. In order to be a Christian, the Church holds that you must be baptised with water in the name of the Holy Trinity (most churches practice this baptism).

An adult will be asked to attend instruction in the Christian Faith before being baptised. Baptism is your entrance into the Christian Church. Nothing more is required than this, regular attendance at Sunday worship and the offering of alms for the support of the Church.

The natural completion of baptism, however, and the prerequisite for receiving Communion is the Sacrament of Confirmation in which, by the laying on of hands of the bishop, the Holy Spirit is conferred for the mature life of the Christian. Confirmation is normally administered after one has reached the years of discretion, although our Eastern brethren often chrismate infants.

It is preceded by instruction in the Faith and Order of the church. While all of this may seem to take a bit of time, it is a time of growth into the fellowship of Christ and of the congregation. From the very first moment you worship at Christ Church, we want you to feel a part, a very important part of us and assure you that God is well pleased with your presence and devotion.

A WORD ABOUT THE HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH.

Christ Anglican Church of New Orleans was founded in 1978 by members of several Episcopal parishes in the greater New Orleans area. During the years following, the parish met for worship in living rooms, a warehouse, other churches and, most recently, a funeral home chapel. During that time, the members worked sacrificially to purchase the present site and to acquire the finances to allow a building to be built.

Our recently completed church is a source of joy to us, for finally we can begin to enjoy the normal life of a congregation and to offer the services and programs which having our own home allows. We are more anxious than ever to have you join with us for an exciting and adventuresome future. Far from being a group of dissatisfied Episcopalians, we have incorporated members from many religious backgrounds or none at all. But all of us today share a love of Jesus and of each other which opens to embrace you as well.