Effective 270001AOCT12
CHAPEL OF
CENTURIONS
Whenever and wherever members of the Order of Centurions
gather and
worship, the Chapel of the Centurions meets.
Constantine
pitched a mobile Christian Chapel in the field as part of
his
headquarters on all of his campaigns after becoming
Caesar.
LEGIO
The Order is
an independent "non denominational liturgical Religious Order." It is
a religious society formed for religious, educational,
and
charitable purposes. Legio Christi, the "Christian Legion"
is the
headquarters. The order is organized in accordance with Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code by the Articles of
Association and
will remain in compliance with that code and the statutes of the
Commonwealth of Kentucky regulating religious societies. Any and all
contributions
to the Order of the Centurions will be used to promote the
objects
and purpose of the order and its membership. The Legion
will
charter local cohorts, develop worship forms, collect and
publish
historical research documents pertinent to the Order, foster
fellowship, and
do any and all functions normally required to administer
the Order. More information on the organization is contained in the
following paragraph that discusses offices, functions, and
responsibilities.
Updated October 21 MMXII
In the Roman Army, the Legion would be
made up
of 10 Cohorts of six Centuries each, or 60 centuries, each
commanded by a Centurion. Some centuries were actually
Maniples and
had 160 legionaries. The actual commander of the Legion was
the
Legate.
Subordinates to the Legate were the Tribunes. One was the Tribune
Milites or Tribunus Laticlavius (broad-stripe tunic). He was the
Senior Tribune and was a career soldier; he likely had prior
experience as a centurion and may have served as a legionaire. There
were five other Tribuni Angusticlaviis (narrow-strip tunic) who were
normally appointed by the Senate for a single tour.
The Praefectus Castrorum was a prior Centurion who had been advanced
to the Legion Staff. He was responsible for training, equipping, and
organizing the
Legion and
was third in command of the Legion. The senior Centurion
was the
Primus Pilus. He commanded the highest century of the
First (Primus)
Cohort, and thus had the lead for the entire Legion. This
was known
as the Millarian Cohort, and contained all of the
headquarters
personnel and functions. Immediately supporting him was his successor
in battle, the Primus Princeps Prior, commander of the second-ranking
century First
Cohort.
Updated October 21 MMXII
LEGATUS LEGIO
CHIRSTI
We
acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth, the Risen Christ, as the
head of the
Legion, the head of the Church Militant.
Behold, I have given him for a ... leader and
commander...[IS 55:4], he
is the Captain of Our Salvation [Heb 2:10] ,
the Captain of the Host
[Josh. 5:13]
The Order faithfully looks to the Words of Christ in
the Gospel for our "Commander's Intent" in carrying out his
last order when he said: All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe
all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICERS
Any centurion in Good Standing may serve in any administrative office
unless otherwise indicated below. Good standing is defined as one who
lives by the Rule of the Order, subscribes to the Creed in word and deed, has no felony conviction,
has in no way renounced the Order or broken fellowship with it by a direct
act, word, or deed, and is an
upstanding person of high Christian moral Character (as may be defined in
part, but not limited to Rom 1), has not
promulgated any heresies departing from the Creed, and is of sufficiently
good mental and physical health to permit his fulfilling an office of the
Order. Furthermore, a centurion of Good Standing in office does not
instigate or create conflict by promoting one denomination or doctrine
over another but rather is inclined to promote fellowship under the
concept of "Mere
Christianity."
Any Officer of the Order of Centurions under charges for a felony or
high misdemeanor concerning moral turpitude may be suspended by the action
of Primus Pilus. Any officer who has demonstrated in word or deed that his
status is no longer in Good Standing, may be suspended by the Primus
Pilus. Any centurion so suspended may request a
tribunal composed of of the Primus and his voting council to review his
written appeal.
created October 21 MMXII
FUNDATOR
The Fundator is the "founder" of the Order. There is only one centurion
that holds, and may hold this title: Mark S. Carroll, who founded the Order
of Centurions (c)- Ordo Centurionum (c) by personal act of creating it,
creating an Internet domain
(www.orderofcenturions) and publishing it on the on the world wide web on
29 September MMIII at Beattyville, Kentucky and registering the Order with
the US Internal Revenue Service. Centurion Carroll is a citizen of
the Commonwealth of Kentucky and was the single centurion signer of the
Articles of Association drafted under the provisions of IRS Publication
557 Form for 503c Religious Societies, and Kentucky statutes, and which
was notarized on 9 October MMIII at Jackson, Kentucky, and registered the
Order with the US Internal Revenue Service. Centurion Carroll resides at
the “Principium” (Founding Headquarters for the Order of Centurions (aka
International Order of Centurions/Ordo Centruionum) in Beattyville. The
Fundator is a permanent, standing, voting member of the Councilum Ordo Centurionum.
created October 21 MMXII
COMMISSARIUM
The Commissarium is the "Trustee" of the Order as defined by Kentucky
Statue: There is one trustee of the Order of Centurions, Mark S. Carroll.
There may be other commissari appointed by the Primus Pilus with the
consent of the voting members of the Concilum Ordo Centurionum under
procedures set forth by Kentucky statutes.
updated October 21 MMXII
PRIMUS PILUS
Senior fighting Centurion of the Roman Legion. The title being
interpreted as "First
File" or "First Spear". Commanded the First Century of the
First Cohort (Milari)
of the Legion. This century was 160-man strong and held the
Legion's Headquarters' staff. The Primus Pilus served on
the
General Staff and was in charge of the day-to-day affairs
of
running the Roman Legion.
In the Order of Centurions, the Primus Pilus also is in charge of the
day-to-day operations of the Order. He speaks for the Order and speaks to
the membership. He publishes information, spiritual guidance, recommends
activities such as donations to other organizations, miscellaneous and
routine expenditures of funds, fund raising activities, and goals and
actions to be accomplished by the Order. His term is for life until he
voluntarily retires or is no longer able to serve due to disability. He
is appointed by his predecessor. He may retire from his office after
serving for three years. Upon his retirement from the office, he shall be
enrolled as a retired Primus Pilus with the title of PrimiPilus (or Primus Pilus) #
Emeritus. When retired, he shall be admitted as a permanent, standing, voting member of the
CONCILIUM ORDO CENTURIONUM until death or resignation from the council. If
the Primus Pilus dies or becomes unable to perform his duties due to
disability, and there is no Primus Princeps Prior to assume the duties,
the command of the Order shall fall immediately to the senior Primipilus
Emeritus until such a time as a new Primus Pilus may be appointed. The Primus Pilus is physically located at his headquarters wherever he may be and it is to be known as “Praetorium”
updated October 21 MMXII
PRIMUS PRINCEPS PRIOR
Commanded the second ranking century of the First Cohort of the Roman
Legion and was the second highest-ranking centurion. All
centurions of the First Cohort were known as Primi
Ordines.
In the Order of Centurions, the Primus Pilus
may designate a centurion as Primus Princeps Prior as his successor. He
will be in the chain of command in the event the Primus Pilus is killed or
permanently incapacitated as the Pilus Primus. The Pilus Princeps Prior
may advise the Primus Pilus primarily on the operation of the
Order.
updated October 21 MMXII
PRAEFECTUS
CASTRORUM The
Camp Prefect - a very senior professional soldier of the Roman
Legion. He
had previous experience as a Centurion. He was the third in
command
of the Legion after the Legate and Tribunes. He oversaw
organization, training, and equipping of the Legion. In the
Order
of Centurions this centurion exercises ecclesiastical oversight
of LEGIO
CHRISTI. The Praefectus advises the Primus Pilus primarily in matters
spiritual and ecclesiastical.
Only male presbyters (including bishops), 40 years and older with valid
ordinations may serve in the Office of Praefectus Castrorum.
The office of the Praefectus Castrorum will be appointed by the Primus
Pilus. The office is for life unless otherwise specified or until his
retirement. He shall be enrolled as a retired Praefectus Castrorum with
the title of Praefectus Castrorum # Emeritus. He shall be admitted as a
standing member of the CONCILIUM ORDO CENTURIONUM until death or
resignation from the council. The location of Praefectus Castrorum is the “Castrorum”
Updated October 21 MMXII
PRINCEPS PRAETORII A centurion assigned to headquarters. The Primus may appoint Princeps Praetorii to perform special duties at his headquarters or with the International Headquarters “Principium”
TRIBUNUS LATICLAVIUS Tribunus
Laticlavius was second in command of the Roman Legion. In the
Order of Centurions, he is a Senior Tribune (h.c.) and
holds a senior military rank. He may advise the Primus
Pilus in all areas of the Order.
February 7 MMIX
AQUILIFER The
Aquilifer
bore the Roman Legion's standard (aquila, literally eagle). He
was of a
similar rank to a Centurion. In the Order of Centurions
this centurion may be designated for special duties
and succession. The Aquilifer may advise the Primus Pilus,
primarily in operational areas of the Order.
February 7 MMIX
DRACONARIUS COHORS MILLARI
The Dragon ensign (standard bearer, dragon referring to
the design
on the standard) of the First Cohort (Roman Legion Headquarters
&
First Cohort) of the Legion. The Draconarius advises the
Primus Pilus, primarily in operational areas of the
Order.
CONCILIUM ORDO CENTURIONUM The Council of the
Order of Centurions. Standing Members include current and retired Primus
Pilus and Praefectus Castrorum and shall have voting rights whenever a
vote is called. The Primus Pilus shall serve as the Councilum Leader. The
Primus Pilus may also invite other registered centurions in good standing
and appoint them as temporary council members with non-voting privileges.
For any legal government and/or state administrative matters that require
a voting majority by law or state regulation, the Council shall represent
the Order at the call of the Primus and consider items presented by the
Primus Pilus for up or down vote. On all other issues presented, the voice
of the Council is advisory only. The routine dates for meetings, if any,
shall be on the seasonal ember days four times a year. The annual
financial report and state of the Order shall be presented for comment at
the Autumn Ember Council. A quorum exists for voting when the Primus Pilus
and one other member participate. Meetings will be by any electronic
means.
updated October 21 MMXII
LABARI PRAESIDIO
The Labarum Guard
is the Service and Support Arm of the Order of
Centurions. It was activated on 28 October MMV - the Feast
of the
Battle of Saxa Ruba. Centurions may apply and be appointed
to this arm of the Order as
Chisti Milites Larabi Praesidio on the eve of the
Anniversary of Saxa Ruba, and may earn permanent rank
within
the Order of Centurions. All members of the Labarum Guard
are
are associated with the Legion Headquarters, Millari Cohors, and may
also
belong to other cohorts.
PRECATOR
Intercessor - An additional role for any centurion to serve
the Order as a Prayer Warrior/Intercessor. Prayer is the
only organized "combat" in which we as an Order engage, and
the enemy is Satan and his minions: "For we wrestle not
against flesh and blood, but against principlalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" Members are
associated with the international Cohors Pracatoris under the guidance
of the Praefectus Castrorum Legio Christi, and may also belong to a
other cohorts.
[Eph vi.12.]
An spiritual role that each and every Roman
soldier could and did fulfill, from the Emperor-like Saint
Constantine I, to the recruit.
TRIBUNUS HONORIS
CAUSA Honorary designation bestowed on
veteran
centurions by the Legion in recognition of service.
Tribunes may
act in an advisory capability for the Legio Christi on
various
matters.
The senior tribune was second in command,
called Tribunus Laticlavius
AT LARGE
MEMBERSHIP
CENTURION All
individual
adult members of the Order have the title "Centurion" and
are of
the Centuriate. If not a member of a local Cohort, they are
members
of the Order of Centurions "at large". The Centurion's
symbol is
the vine staff. Centurions hold this office for life. All
Centurions are equal. Some may serve the Order in specific
religious and administrative roles like Primus Pilus and
Praefectus
Castrorum, and some may be recognized with an honorary
title based
on their contributions to their state and the Church. Some
may
provide special services to the Order such as witnessing,
welcoming, reenacting, etc. Regardless, all are "Brothers
in
Spiritual Arms" with a voice in the Order.
The centurion was a senior career
soldier who
earned his rank by virtue of merit. His sign of authority
was a
staff about three feet long made of a vine "vitis", often
used to
keep order in the Cohort through corporal punishment. He
wore a
dagger and a sword, on opposite sides from the other
members of the
Century. He might also have a silver spear and gold crown,
which
were awards for valor and service. He would wear his
horsehair
crest on his silvered helmet from side to side, opposite
the men
who wore the horsehair front to rear. The armor was
silvered mail
or scales rather than solid. Below the armor around the
waist and
at the arms they wore flaps of leather called pteruges that
were
fringed at the ends. The Centurion commanded a Century of
10
contubernium - 80 men. He often fought at the right front
of his
Century. A centurion could be commissioned directly, but
normally
served in most of the non-commissioned ranks before being
commissioned.
LEGIONARY Cohorts may enlist minor members with the
title
of "Legionary". They become Centurions at age 18. If not a
member
of a local Cohort, they are members of the Order of
Centurions "at
large". There may be a formal reception for new centurions
upon the
Feast Day of the Order: 3 January, after they reach the age
of
18.
In the Roman army, reforms of Gaius
Gracchus in
2nd Century BC forbade the enlistment of youths under
seventeen.
Legionaries received the Military Mark before being
recorded in the
Legion's rolls. Legionaries were Roman citizens drafted for
a
period of six years. They could also enlist with a letter
of
recommendation. They could retire after about 20 - 30 years
of
service with a pension. Legionaries were organized in
contubernium
that contained eight men who lived together. Ten
contubernium
formed a Century. They could hold specialist positions and
have a
rating like a modern day Non Commissioned Officer - see
below.
legionaries and even the camp followers
AUXILLIA Individuals who are not baptized but have
taken
the Vow are registered as Auxillia Centurions or
Legionaries.
Baptism was ordained by the Lord Jesus, and is a sign of
regeneration, the forgiveness of sins, adoption as sons of
God, and
is a sacrament for full membership in the Church Militant.
In ancient
Rome Auxillia were not Roman citizens, but fought with the
Roman
Army and earned Roman citizenship.
COHORT
CHAPTERS
COHORT A local
chapter of
the Order is called a "Cohort". It may use the title "Order
of
Centurions" and the Symbol in conjunction with the name of
the
Cohort when it has received a Charter from the Legion.
As a Cohort
Chapter it is
associated with the Order of Centurions for full
membership,
spiritual, educational, social, and like areas. However, it
is
independent in its financial, business, property, and tax
affairs
from the Order of Centurions.
CALLING OF
SERVANTS
Centurions may call out Cohort members to serve, according
to their
gifts, in the work of the Church. Cohorts should consider
the Scriptures in
calling and
appointing.
And when they had appointed
(cheirotoneô -
elected by stretching forth the hand) for them elders in
every
church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to
the
Lord, on whom they had believed [Ac 14:23]
PILUS PRIOR Title of the individual leading the
local
Cohort.
This title is recognized as a temporary
one by
the Order for the leader of the Local Cohort. Individuals
may earn
this title permanently through service to the Order in the
Labarum Guard
OTHER OFFICERS The Cohort may appoint other
centurions
special staff functions within the cohort (e.g, Adjutant,
Quartermaster, Operations and Training, Civil Affairs,
Chaplain,
etc.)
OPTIO Optio means
"chosen
men" (Optio Centurionis). An Optio was a chosen Legionary
that
assisted his Centurion. There was one Optio for each
century, and
he was second in command of the century. Cohorts may
appoint
Legionaries as Optios and give them special roles in the
Cohort.
The Optio's symbol is the spear-staff with a ball at the
tip.
Cohorts may wish to appoint Legionaries approaching their
18th
birthday as Optio Ad Spem Ordinis. These were Optios who
had been
selected for the Centuriate and were awaiting a vacancy.
Others of
special rank who drew extra pay are shown below
DOMAINA Those who
wish to
associate with the order but are not candidates for the
Order.
There are Friends of the Order who associate with us and
monitor
our web site without taking the vow. In the time of the
legions,
domaina included families, civilian support, civilian
officials,
etc.
FUNCTIONS
Vexillarius Legionary who carried the
Cohort's banner showing its designation.
Imagnifer If this position were to be employed in a
cohort,
it would be acceptable for an Imagnifer to serve as an acolyte
and to
bear some item for the Order of Centurions, such as a the
Gospel
Book, censor, or torch in the Divine Liturgy. All of these
were
lessor orders in the ancient Church
Signifer A Signifer was responsible for signaling
commands
in the Century and carried a staff with emblems to do
so.
Chorobates Engineers who would scout, form
quartering
parties, and do other pioneering and engineering work.
Tesserarius Sergeant of the Guard and in charge of
fatigue
details. Responsible to issue the challenge and
password.
Coricine Bugler who sounded various calls in battle
and in
camp
Custos Armorum who would fashion and repair weapons
and body
armor
Medicus Medic
Libaraii Clerk
Architectus Master Builder
Mensor Surveyor who had a very important role in the
Army to
support mapping, construction, etc.
Hydraularius Water Engineer. Just as in the modern
armies of
today, the Roman army had a mission of civil engineering
which
included waterworks.
Ballistarius Catapult makers and operators. This was
the
artillery arm of the army and was critical in seige warfare
like
the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.
Roman Velite Light infantry. Note that the soldier
does not
wear body armor. Often this role was fulfilled by
auxillia.
OTHER ORGANIZATIONAL
INFORMATION
Feast of the Order of
Centurions Cohorts will normally meet at least annually
on or
about January 3, the traditional day when centurions
renewed their
vows, and formally receive new Centurions and Legionary. At
this
time they may have an Annual General Membership Meeting and
Agape
Meal (banquet) which may be open to all categories of the
Order or
limited to certain categories at the discretion of the
Cohort.
Living History
Members of
Cohorts are encouraged to consider offering
personifications of
Centurions and other 1st century persons in their local
community
as a means of witnessing their faith and educating the
community.
Other Titles
The Order recognizes and may use legitimate national military rank
according to national law and custom (e.g., US Federal Government).
The Order does not recognize or use any ecclesiastical, academic, or
societal ranks, titles, or salutations.
updated February 7 MMIX
The organization of the
Order is
similar to that of the Roman Army. This link discusses the
Roman
Army Organization in detail.
Meeting
Agenda
