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To be quorate, a meeting of the Areopagus must have 70% of the members in attendance, along with the Grand Pontiff or his/her delegated representative. If the Areopagus is meeting to hear an appeal, then all the paperwork pertinent to the case must have been made available to all members by the Grand Tribunal no less than 14 days previously. The Areopagus must meet with the Parliament of the Guilds at least once in the year. The Areopagus shall also meet at least once in the year, and otherwise when called so to do by the Grand Pontiff, to deliberate questions of the doctrine of EGC. It is the perogative of any member of the Church to ask a question of the Areopagus concerning doctrine, in writing. The Grand Pontiff is personally responsible for ensuring that such are adequately answered. The Grand Pontiff shall also be ultimately responsible for the orchestration of Gnostic Masses within the OTO, and for those Masses of Resurrection unto the Light which are attended only by Perfect Pontiffs of the Illuminati. This shall be choreographed and systematised as the Grand Pontiff deems fit. The Areopagus also has the role of legislature for the EGC in the Kingdom, determining law and policy for the Church. While it may apply itself to the interpretation of doctrine with regard to individual cases, it does not however have the final say on doctrine: that privilege lies with the OHO. Legislative measures in the context of EGC must be ratified by the Sanctuary and the Throne. THE LEGISLATURE Body, Legislative (Second Chamber of Bicameral System) This body is comrpised of the Sanctuary of the Gnosis and the Areopagus combined, under the supervision of the Tenth Degree. Its function is to examine those proposals for addition to or amendment of Order Law which come up to it from the Senate. This is done primarily in order to ensure that such are in keeping with the fundamental principles of the Order. Bills which are approved by majority vote pass to the Tenth Degree for final approval. PERFECT PONTIFF OF THE ILLUMINATI (Eighth Degree proper) Degree and Office, Executive Ecclesiastical Must first be an Epopt of the Illuminati. To exalt an Epopt to the Grade of Pontiff requires their nomination and seconding by two Pontiffs and the blessing of the Grand Pontiff. Pontiffs are required to be expert in the doctrines of the EGC. They administer the Sacrament unto their fellow Pontiffs in private Masses of Resurrection Unto the Light. EPOPT OF THE ILLUMINATI (Primary stage of Eighth Degree) Degree and Office, Executive Ecclesiastical Must first be a Priest or Priestess of the EGC and a Sovereign Grand Inspector General. The admission of an Epopt requires that they first make petition unto the Areopagus, which must vote to appoint them by clear majority. Epopts perform Gnostic Masses at which only members of the clergy may attend; they are Priests and Priestesses unto the Priests and Priestesses. Epopts are entitled automatically to a seat on the Areopagus. Epopts are required to be expert in the ritual practice of the EGC. |
