The Constitution of the World Federation of Orthodox and Apostolic Churches

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1. Name

The official name of this ministry is the World Federation of Orthodox and Apostolic Churches, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Federation”).

Section 2. Purpose

The Federation is a nonprofit religious organization, incorporated as a ministry under the auspices of the Orthodox Episcopal Church. Our mission is to restore communion by returning to the ancient definitions of faith and practice from the first four centuries of the Church.

The Federation seeks to unite churches with unbroken Catholic, Polish National Catholic (PNCC), Old Catholic, Orthodox, Oriental, and Church of the East Orders who adhere to our:

• Faith and Practice
• Biblical Morality
• Christian Family Values Covenant

Article II: Membership

Section 1. Eligibility

Full Membership – Open to Churches with valid Apostolic Succession from the Catholic, Polish National Catholic, Orthodox, Oriental, and Church of the East traditions that uphold our Faith, Morality, and Family Covenant.

Associate Membership – Available to individuals from Protestant traditions such as:

• Reformed Anglicans (Reformed Episcopal Church, Anglican Church in North America, Free Church of England, etc.)
• Lutherans (excluding Nordic and Siberian Churches, who maintain Old Succession)
• Calvinists / Presbyterians

Note: Associate members join as observers only and do not have sacramental recognition without proper ordination or regularization.

Section 2. Membership Requirements

• Nicene Doctrinal Commitment – Affirmation of the Nicene Creed (without Filioque), recognizing the Holy Spirit’s procession as understood at the Council of Florence.
• Chambessy Agreement Compliance – Recognition of both Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Traditions as valid expressions of Orthodoxy (as per the 1997 Chambessy Agreement).
• Zogbian Definition of Schism – Commitment to restoring unity based on universal reception rather than unilateral declarations.
• Vincentian Canon as Catholicity – “Semper, Ubique, et ab Omnibus” (“Always, Everywhere, and by All”).
• Biblical Morality and Christian Family Covenant – Upholding:
  • Rejection of abortion, no-fault divorce, and gender ideology
  • Affirmation of traditional Christian marriage (one man, one woman)
• Ancient Liturgies – Members must use one of the historic liturgies of the Church, including the Anglo-Catholic Missal (American Missal / St. Tikhon’s Mass).
• Apostolic Succession – Members must demonstrate both manual and doctrinal apostolic succession.
• Intercommunion – Open communion among Full Members, with local bishops retaining autonomy over clergy exchanges and sacramental decisions.

Article III: Governance

Section 1. Fiscal Accountability

• Transparent Financial Practices – Yearly audits and open financial disclosure to all members.

Section 2. Synodal Practice

• The Federation does not replace local synods or hierarchies but serves as a platform for unity and cooperation among its member Churches.

Section 3. Membership Fees

• Annual Fees:
  • $99 per Church
  • $33 per Individual
• These fees cover administrative costs, online systems, and membership registries.

Section 4. Ecumenical Conferences

• Tri-Annual Gatherings – Conferences will be held every three years at a retreat or conference center. Sessions will conclude with a joint Eucharistic celebration hosted by a constituent Church (chosen by lot).

Article IV: Board of Directors

Section 1. Composition

• The Board consists of representatives from each member Church. The Orthodox Episcopal Church will hold a perpetual legal anchor within the Federation but will not exercise hierarchical control.
• Leadership Structure:
  • President – Elected by a three-fourths majority vote for a seven-year term
  • Vice President – Appointed by the President, confirmed by a three-fourths majority
  • Equal Voting Rights – The President has no veto power; all members of the Board hold equal votes.
• Removal Clause: Any officer may be removed by a three-fourths majority vote for immorality or heresy.

Section 2. Duties

• The Board oversees operations, synodal adherence, and tri-annual gatherings.

Article V: Dissolution

• In the event of dissolution, all remaining assets will be distributed equally among the constituent nonprofit Churches.

Article VI: Amendments

• The Purpose and Membership Eligibility (Articles I.2 and II.1-2) CANNOT be amended and are immutable.
• All other amendments require a three-fourths majority vote.

Article VII: Non-Discrimination

• The Federation does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, or disability. However, it reserves the right to exclude individuals or groups who do not adhere to its doctrinal and moral covenants.

Article VIII: Adoption

• These Articles of Incorporation were officially adopted on [date] by the initial Board of Directors.

Signatures of Incorporators: