Liturgical Rite
Rooted in the historic prayers, sacraments, and rhythms of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church — shaped by the Book of Common Prayer, the Daily Office, and the ancient Eucharistic tradition handed down from the Apostles.
About the Diocese of DOMA
One communion, many expressions — walking in step with the Church historical.
The Diocese of DOMA is a convergent communion, meaning there is a range of local church expressions that would resemble a purely liturgical church, to an evangelical church, to a charismatic church. This is part of our calling: to unify these expressions in one communion walking in step with the Church historical.
We categorize these expressions by using Rites. An expression of the Rites can be seen below:
The Three Rites of DOMA
Rooted in the historic prayers, sacraments, and rhythms of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church — shaped by the Book of Common Prayer, the Daily Office, and the ancient Eucharistic tradition handed down from the Apostles.
Centred on the authority of Holy Scripture, the proclamation of the gospel of Christ crucified and risen, and the conversion of heart through the Word faithfully preached and personally embraced.
Living in the present power of the Holy Spirit — expectant of the gifts of the Spirit, embracing healing, prophecy, tongues, and the renewal of persons and communities in every generation.
DOMA draws from the richness of the ancient Christian tradition in the intentional formation of disciples who know and follow Jesus.
Passionately evangelistic, we proclaim the Gospel boldly to a post-Christian world.
We believe in the active, vital work of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers and the Church.
Rooted in the ancient Church’s traditions, we uphold a universal faith and find our theological centre in the Anglican Spiritual Tradition.
In essence, we blend these elements to faithfully follow Scripture and historic practices while engaging today’s culture.
The CEEC defines Anglicanism as English Orthodoxy, developing from the very beginning of the Christian faith in the British Isles and enduring to the present age. Therefore, in our usage, Anglicanism is inclusive of its Celtic origins, Patristic roots, the Medieval Church, the Protestant Reformation, the Wesleyan Evangelical Revival, the Oxford Movement, and the modern Charismatic movement.
We measure Anglican history not only from Thomas Cranmer forward, but also from the Reformation backward. Anglicanism in the CEEC is not shaped by its connection to the See of Canterbury, but by its relationship to history.
A communion reflects the unanimity and singularity of the Apostolic and Patristic Church, while encompassing both Protestant and Catholic traditions, as well as embracing a multiplicity of expressions of worship and practice.
In contrast to a denomination, a communion expresses the organic unity Jesus Christ originally established in His Body, the Church. Rather than from divisions created by historic differences over doctrine and practice, a communion represents a return to unity based on the recovery of the essential oneness of the ancient, medieval, and contemporary church.
Standing within the Celtic and Anglican spiritual traditions, The Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches was created by a convergence of the great historical expressions of faith and practice: the Evangelical, the Charismatic, and the Liturgical/Sacramental traditions.
The fundamental principles defining inclusion in the Communion are detailed in the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral of 1886 and 1888 Resolution II. The four basic statements are:
This definition establishes guidelines for the CEEC and is understood as the essence of the Apostolic Tradition, as we seek to express it in the Convergence Movement.
The Diocese of DOMA — Domus Misericordiae ad Omnes (House of Mercy to All) — is called to ordain clergy, equip the local church, and plant new parishes across nations and cultures. We are a relational diocese: not defined by geography, but by a shared communion of faith, formation, and mission.
There are two types of churches in relationship with the Diocese of DOMA:
An associated church affirms the call of its local pastor (rector) to ordination within DOMA while remaining unaffiliated as a local community. The Bishop and Diocese oversee the deacon or priest but have no authority over, nor ability to direct, the local church beyond the pastor.
A diocesan parish also affirms the call of its local pastor to ordination within DOMA. However, a diocesan parish is a body whose local leaders, in partnership with the Diocesan Bishop, have discerned that they would like to protect and equip the local church through alignment between local church canons and DOMA canons.
A member parish partners in the mission of DOMA, actively receives and provides support to the Diocese at large, and is protected by the Bishop and Diocese in a time of transition.
Key principles of parish life in DOMA:
The Creeds of the Church (Apostles, Nicene, Athanasian, and the Council of Chalcedon) provide historically-proven and ecclesiastically-accepted guidelines for both orthodox interpretation of Scripture and theological development.
We believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
*that is, the universal Christian church of all times and all places.
We believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
begotten from the Father before all ages,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made;
of the same essence as the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit
and the virgin Mary,
and was made human.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried.
The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again with glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life.
He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
He spoke through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
and to life in the world to come.
Amen.
The Episcopate is the office of the Bishop and is the head and sign of the unity of the mission, people, and leadership of DOMA. The Bishop does not serve with unilateral jurisdictional authority alone, but as the shepherd, voice, and representative of the Diocese. The Commission on Ministry exists to advise, guide, and accompany candidates through the formation process toward Holy Orders.
Bishop Daniel Zopoula serves as the shepherd of Miz City Church and the Diocese of DOMA — Domus Misericordiae ad Omnes. Born in Africa and carrying a global apostolic calling, he leads DOMA as a house of mercy sent to all peoples and nations.
“The World is our Parish” is not merely a motto — it is the mission he has been given and the life he leads. He oversees all formation, ordination, and episcopal authority within DOMA worldwide.
DOMA follows the historic three-fold order of ordained ministry, adapted for a global apostolic context.
The Bishop holds the fullness of apostolic authority within the Diocese, exercising oversight over all clergy, parishes, and missional outposts. Addressed as “Your Grace” or “Bishop.”
Priests serve as pastors, teachers, and celebrants of the sacraments within their parishes and communities. They are ordained to Word, Sacrament, and pastoral care under the Bishop’s authority.
Deacons serve at the intersection of the Church and the world, ministering to those in need, assisting in worship, and proclaiming the Gospel. They are the first step in the ordained ministry.
The Commission on Ministry (COM) accompanies every candidate through the formation process, conducting interviews at each phase, reviewing academic and mentoring progress reports, and advising the Bishop on readiness for ordination. The COM represents the communal nature of discernment in DOMA — no one enters Holy Orders alone.
The Bishop’s Council serves at the discretion of the Bishop. The function of the council is to advise and come alongside the Bishop in shepherding care, oversight of apostolic mission, doctrine, legislative work, and administration of the Diocese.
“The World is our Parish”Diocese of DOMA — Domus Misericordiae ad Omnes