The Anglocatholic Church

Heigo Ritsbek (born on April 12, 1951, in Pärnu) is an Estonian church figure. His life journey has been marked by various roles and accomplishments:

• Methodist Church: Heigo Ritsbek served as a pastor in the Estonian Methodist Church. He held positions such as the secretary of the Estonian Methodist Church’s government and pastor of the Tallinn Methodist congregation.
• Emigration and Theological Studies: In February 1989, he emigrated to the United States with his family. There, he continued his theological studies and obtained a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree from the Methodist Asbury Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry in Theological Studies (DMin) degree from Boston University. His doctoral dissertation focused on the mission of Methodism in Estonia.
• Karismaatilise Episkopaalkirik (Charismatic Episcopal Church): Heigo Ritsbek joined the Charismatic Episcopal Church, where he served as a priest from 1996 to 2012. During this time, he was the head vicar of the Estonian Charismatic Episcopal Church and rector of the Harkujärve St. Stephen’s congregation.
• Becoming a Bishop: On August 25, 2012, he was consecrated as a bishop by Archbishop Dr. Kiiza S. Thomas in Kasese, Uganda, Africa.
• Founding the Anglo-Catholic Church: In 2016, Heigo Ritsbek co-founded the Anglo-Catholic Church with like-minded individuals. He currently serves as the worldwide patriarch and president of the Church’s Holy Trinity Anglo-Catholic School of Ministry.
• Teaching and Writing: Heigo Ritsbek has been an educator, teaching history, religious studies, social studies, and philosophy in various schools. He has also authored several works, including books on baptism, the Eucharist, and church history.
• Recognition and Outreach: He has preached and ministered to approximately 385,000 people across 27 countries through personal visits, radio, and TV broadcasts. His Christian message has reached a total of 1.7 million people. Additionally, he has visited 41 different countries in connection with his church work.

Heigo Ritsbek’s journey reflects a rich tapestry of faith, education, and service to others. 

Patriarch is second row first left, Bishop Raivo Kodanik second row right, Patriarch’s wife first row second from left, Patriarch’s sister first row first from left.

Today, March 9, 2024, His Beatitude Lord Dr. HEIGO RITSBEK, has been serving from God’s grace 45 years as Member of Clergy. Axios! Axios! Axios!

As of March 8, 2024 The Members of The College of Bishops of The Anglocatholic Church are: Patriarch Dr. HEIGO RITSBEK, Patriarch Coadjutor Dr. RAPHAEL MARIE VILLIERE, Primate EARL L. FRAZIER, Primate Dr. JAMES CHRISTIAN MACAIRE MIAFOUANANDI, Metropolitan Archbishop Dr. AUGUSTINE URUMBAYEV, Archbishop Emeritus Dr. DAVID SMITH, Bishop Emeritus PAUL JACOB BOARDMAN, Bishop Dr. RAIVO KODANIK, Bishop FLORENT MOUSSOLO, and Bishop ADRIANO AMATO. They are current 10 Members of the College of Bishops of The Anglocatholic Church.

God willing and allowing, The Anglocatholic Church plans to have its SECOND WORLDWIDE CONCLAVE OF THE COLLEGE OF BISHOPS OF THE ANGLOCATHOLIC CHURCH in Toronto, Canada in 2025.

On the photo Saint Bartholomeuw’s Church in Toronto, Canada. God willing we may have our Holy Masses the Chapel of this church in 2025

As March 6, 2024 The Members of The College of Bishops of The Anglocatholic Church are: Patriarch Dr. HEIGO RITSBEK, Patriarch Coadjutor Dr. RAPHAEL MARIE VILLIERE, Primate EARL L. FRAZIER, Primate Dr. JAMES CHRISTIAN MACAIRE MIAFOUANANDI, Metropolitan Archbishop Dr. AUGUSTINE URUMBAYEV, Archbishop Emeritus Dr. DAVID SMITH, Bishop Emeritus PAUL JACOB BOARDMAN, Bishop Dr. RAIVO KODANIK and Bishop FLORENT MOUSSOLO. They are current 9 Members of the College of Bishops of The Anglocatholic Church.

Once upon a time, in the quiet corners of ancient cathedrals and humble chapels, there existed a community that danced on the delicate edge between tradition and innovation. This community was none other than the Anglocatholic Church.

The Origins

The Anglocatholic Church traced its lineage back to the early days of the Anglican Communion. It emerged as a passionate response to the winds of change that swept through the ecclesiastical landscape. The faithful within its ranks clung to the timeless rituals, the incense-laden air, and the whispered Latin prayers. They believed that the sacred mysteries were not mere symbols but tangible encounters with the divine.

The Liturgy

In the heart of an Anglocatholic parish, the liturgy unfolded like a carefully choreographed ballet. The priest, vested in rich brocade, moved gracefully through the sanctuary. Candles flickered, casting shadows on ancient stone walls. The choir sang hymns that echoed through centuries, their voices blending with the ethereal strains of the organ. The congregation knelt, stood, and crossed themselves in a rhythmic dance of devotion.

The Sacraments

The Anglocatholics held the sacraments close to their hearts. Baptism was not a mere rite of passage but a rebirth into the mystical body of Christ. The Eucharist—the breaking of bread and the sharing of wine—was a moment when heaven touched earth. Confession was whispered in hushed tones, absolution offered with compassion. Marriage, anointing of the sick, and ordination—all were sacred acts that bridged the temporal and the eternal.

The Controversies

Yet, the Anglocatholic Church was not without its controversies. Some accused them of being too rigid, too enamored with the past. Others questioned their insistence on apostolic succession and the veneration of saints. But the Anglocatholics stood firm, their faith anchored in the ancient creeds and the whispered prayers of countless generations.

The Global Family

The Anglocatholic Church was not confined to a single nation or culture. Its branches stretched across continents. In Tallinn, Estonia, a small community gathered in a centuries-old chapel, their voices rising in harmonious worship. In the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Africa, India, and South America, they formed a worldwide family of believers . Their liturgical diversity was a tapestry woven from threads of Byzantine chant, Gregorian plainsong, and Anglican hymnody.

The Mystery

And so, the Anglocatholic Church continued its timeless journey—a vessel navigating the tides of history. Its priests wore chasubles that bore the weight of centuries. Its faithful knelt on cold stone floors, their whispered prayers mingling with the echoes of saints long gone. They sought the mystery—the thin veil that separated the earthly from the heavenly.

Perhaps, in the quiet moments of the Eucharistic feast, they glimpsed eternity. Perhaps, as the incense rose in spirals toward the vaulted ceiling, they touched the hem of the divine garment. And perhaps, just perhaps, they understood that the Anglocatholic Church was not merely a relic of the past but a living flame—a beacon that illuminated the path to the eternal city.

And so, the story of the Anglocatholic Church continues, written in the ink of faith and sung in the ancient melodies of hope.

His Beatitude, Most Reverend Lord Dr. HEIGO RITSBEK, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD, DD, Patriarch of the Anglocatholic Church, will celebrate on March 9, 2024, his ordination as a Deacon in Christ’s One, Holy, Apostolic, and Catholic Church – 45 years ago – on March 9, 1979 by Bishop – The Most Reverend Dr. Ole E. Borgen. Axios! Axios! Axios!

On Saturday, February 10, 2024, His Eminence, Primate The Most Reverend Dr. Raphael Marie Villiere, consecrated in Liberville, Gabon, West Africa, The Reverend Fr. Camille Boumal as A Bishop of Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Assisted His Excellency, The Most Reverend Emmanuel Segue and His Excellency, The Most Reverend Rodrigue Bazolo, from the Anglocatholic Church from Cameroon and Republic of Congo. Now the Anglocatholic Church has wordwide 31 Bishops.

Metropolitan Archbishop Most Reverend Dr. Mauricio Isaías Largaespada Umaña, Phil.D., Ed.D.,Th.D., Metropolitan Archdiocese of Jesus Christ the Redeemer in Costa Rica has had a car accident and is at the hospital. PLEASE PRAY FOR HIS RECOVERY!