 IN HOC SIGNO VINCES |
of the Order of Centurions |
 TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM |
| IN HOC SIGNO VINCES |
of the Order of Centurions |
TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM |
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.LEGION The Order is a Religious Organization formed for religious, educational, and charitable purposes. Legio Christi, the "Christian Legion" is the headquarters. The order is organized in accordance with the requirement of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and will remain in compliance with that code. 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 pertinent to the Order, foster fellowship, and do any and all functions normally required to administer the Order. Articles
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, but he was a political appointee for four or so years. Tribunes were assistants to Legatus. Professional soldiers of the Legion included the camp prefect, Praefectus Castrorum, a staff officer who had come up through the ranks of centurions and was responsible for training, equipping, and organizing the Legion and was third in command of the Legion. The senior Centurion was the Centurio Primus Pilus He commanded the first Century of the First 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.
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.
CENTURIO PRIMUS PILUS Senior fighting Centurion of the 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 Legion.
PRAEFECTUS CASTRORUM The Camp Prefect - a very senior professional soldier of the 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 position is held by a very senior ordained member of the Order who exercises ecclesiastical oversight of LEGIO CHRISTI.
AQUILIFER The Aquilifer bore the Legion's standard (aquila, literally eagle). He was of a similar rank to a Centurion. He may run the day-to-day activities of the Legion in the absence of the Primus Pilus.
TRIBUNUS ORDO CENTURIONUM The advisory war council of the Order of Centurions. It is composed of centurions appointed by the primus pilus who act to advise him on matters concerning the Order at his call.
DRACONARIUS COHORS MILLARI
The Dragon ensign (standard bearer, dragon referring to the design on the standard) of the First Cohort (Legion Headquarters & First Cohort) of the Legion. Serves as treasurer for the Legion.
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 Lararum Guard are members of the Legion Headquarters, Millari Cohors, and may also belong to a local cohort.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.
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 laticlaviusAUXILLIA 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 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. Cohort List and Links
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.)
Vexillarius Legionary who carried the Cohort's banner showing its designation. 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
Imagnifer If this position were to be employed in a cohort, it would be acceptable for am Imagnifer 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 armorMedicus 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.
The organization of the Order is similar to that of the Roman Army. This link discusses the Roman Army Organization in detail.
Copyright 2003-2006 The Order of Centurions - 11/9/2006
