AGLIPAYAN

Brief History:

The Philippine Independent Church, locally known as The Aglipayan Church is the
second largest Christian congregation in the PhilippinesThe founding fathers of this religious
organization were catholic priests that were excommunicated due to their revolt against racial
discrimination, exploitation and oppression of the Catholic church during the Spanish
colonization.Their advocacy lies in protecting Filipino citizens that has been treated with
injustice. It was in August 3, 1902 when Father Gregorio Aglipay promulgated the Iglesia Filipina
Independiente in public. It was later translated to the Philippine Independent Church in English.
He was one of the clergymen who tenaciously protected the Filipinization of the Catholic
Church. Father Aglipay portrayed an integral role during the Spanish revolutionary war in the
country. The Philippine Independent Church strengthen and intensified their influence towards
the masses. Their protagonism for the Filipino Church was finally realized. He was the founding
father and head from 1902 to 1940 of the Philippine Independent Church. It was then locally
named as the Aglipayan Church to pay tribute to Father Gregorio Aglipay, who made a mark in
the history of Catholic Church in the Philippines.

Supreme Beings:

 Eternal God
 Jesus Christ
 Holy Spirit

Salvation:

 The Aglipayan creed states that God is a universal and intelligent force, the principle of
all life and movement. Satisfaction of human needs is achieved through work rather than
prayer. All reward and punishment for virtuous or evil behavior occur in this life. The
origin of the universe is explained. The origin of the universe is explained as
development and not creation because matter has no beginning.
 God in the Aglipayan Church The Aglipayan belief of God is based upon how He has
revealed Himself to His people through the Holy Scriptures and Sacred Tradition.
Aglipayan theology never speculates in its beliefs (e.g.., the doctrine of the Holy Trinity,
the person of Jesus Christ, the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Jesus Christ,
sacramental theology, etc.), but is very comfortable in saying, when things are
inexplicable or impossible to comprehend by the human mind, that it is a "mystery."
What we do know of God-that is, what He has revealed to us-is that He is: eternal, holy,
perfect, all-loving, present everywhere, the Creator, the Source and Giver of life, the
Source of virtues, a Trinity, just and therefore Judge, etc., The Aglipayan speak of God
the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit: three divine persons sharing the same
essence and a perpetual movement of love which makes the Holy Trinity act
 harmoniously as one. The Aglipayan have always maintained a theological balance
between the oneness of God and the threeness of God.

Sufferings:

 Having preached, taught, healed and performed many miracles, He had to experience
the last pain that all people must undergo: death. Thus, He allowed Himself to be
crucified. As a human being, He died; but, being God, He rose from the dead, proving
that all who believe and follow Him will do likewise. This is why Jesus Christ is called
"Savior," for He saves us from death.

Church Practices:

 The church continued to follow Roman Catholic forms of worship, but for many years
doctrine was strongly influenced by Unitarianism. A schism developed in 1946, and a
unitarian faction left the church. Under Isabelo de los Reyes, Jr., elected bishop in 1946,
the church adopted in 1947 a new declaration of faith and articles of religion that were
Trinitarian. The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States consecrated three
bishops of the Philippine Independent Church in 1948, and the two churches entered
into a close association. In 1961 the church was accepted into full communion with
the Church of England and the Old Catholic churches.

 The Holy Eucharist, commonly called the Mass, is the central act of Christian worship. It
is the sacrament of our redemption by Christ's death and resurrection. Those who
partake of the consecrated bread and wine receive the Body and Blood of our Lord
Jesus Christ. All who desire to receive it should diligently examine their lives, repent of
their sins, and be in love and charity with all people. The benefits we receive in the
Eucharist are the forgiveness of our sins, the strengthening of our union with Christ and
one another, and the foretaste of the heavenly banquet which is our nourishment in
eternal life.

The Eucharist also incorporates the healing sacrament within the service. Laying-
on of hands and anointing of oil with prayer is administered to those who are sick. This is
for the strengthening of their souls and, if it be God’s will, their restoration to health.

Singing traditional and contemporary Filipino hymns enhances the worship
experience of the congregation.

Our communal gathering is extended to the fellowship hour after the worship
service. This is also a time of sharing and enjoying different Filipino cuisine during
potluck.
http://www.ifi-illinois.org/id16.html