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. All authority is in the hands of the Primus Pilus who serves as the Prime Trustee of the Order and who leads the Order and may create and appoint such other personal staff offices as he desires to assist him. 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.
updated February 7 MMIX
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.
-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 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.
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. This is the only permanent office of the Order. It is filled by the trustee of the Order. Only a centurion in good standing may sever in this office. His powers include but are unlimited within the bounds of the
His term is
indefinite. He is appointed by his predecessor.
updated February 7 MMIX
PILUS PRECEPS
Commanded the Second Centuria 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 Pilus Preceps and he will
be in the chain of command in the event the Primus is
killed or permanently incapacitated. The Pilus Preceps may
advise the Primus Pilus primarily on the operation of the
Order.
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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 Prafectus advises the Primus Pilus primarily in matters spiritual and ecclesiastical.
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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.
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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.
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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 advisory 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.
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 Warroir/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 priciplalities,
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 Prafectus 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 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
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
