On February 21, 2016, there was a meeting, which became the foundation of The Anglocatholic Church. So February 21, 2016 is the Foundation Day of The Anglocatholic Church, although no minutes were taken. This meeting was led by His Eminence, The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD, DD, the Archbishop of The Estonian Anglocatholic Church, who was elected by the gathered body as The Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church.
On March 4, 2016 The Anglocatholic Church (ACC) was officially written into the Minutes. On March 11th 2016, the Estonian Government gave its legal recognition to The Anglocatholic Church.
On March 21, 2016 The Reverend Father Raivo Kodanik (Estonia) was consecrated as the Bishop for The Diocese of The Most Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God in Tallinn, Estonia.
On April 3, 2016 there was Solemn Opening Mass at former Saint Catherine’s Church sacristy from 1246 – 770 years old room, what is now Chapel for the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity of The Anglocatholic Church in Tallinn, Estonia. The celebrant was His Beatitude Patriarch Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, he was assisted by The Ordinary of The Anglocatholic Church in Estonia – Diocese of The Most Blessed Virgin Mary the Mother of God – Bishop Dr. Raivo Kodanik.
On Sunday, April 17, 2016 there was a Solemn Mass with Intention: Patriarch Dr. Heigo Ritsbek 65 years old at Tallinn Holy Trinity Cathedral of The Anglocatholic Church. The celebrant was The Most Reverend Dr. Raivo Kodanik, D.D., Ordinary of The Anglocatholic Church in Estonia. The sermon was given by The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, M.A., M.Div., D.Min., Litt.D., D.D., The Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church.
On Sunday June 26, 2016 there was a solemn Pontifical Mass at Tallinn Cathedral of the Holy Trinity celebrating the 20th anniversary of Patriarch Dr. Ritsbek’s ordination into priesthood. Celebrant was The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, Patriarch; co-celebrant The Most Reverend Dr. Raivo Kodanik, Ordinary.
On August 18th, 2016 Patriarch Dr. Heigo Ritsbek elevated The Reverend Father David Smith at Saint Basil Cathedral in Toronto, Canada to the status of Canon. Also he was elevated as the Senior Advisor to Patriarch, and a member of The Holy Synod.
On Saturday May 20, 2017, His Beatitude Patriarch Dr. Heigo Ritsbek participated with The Reverend Gustav Piir from Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church at the Investiture of The Estonian Grand Priory of The International Knights Order of Saint Michael the Archangel and the Investiture of The Royal Fraternity of Saint Teotonius of Portugal at Tallinn Holy Ghost Lutheran Church. Patriarch Ritsbek participated in blessing the new members of the Orders, prayed the Collect Prayer and gave the Benediction at the end of the Solemn Ceremony. During the ceremony, Patriarch Heigo Ritsbek was given the Medal of Merit by the Royal Brotherhood of Saint Teotonius from Portugal. Patriarch Ritsbek also gave the key-note speech at the Gala Banquet that night.
On June 28, 2017 by the decree of His Beatitude, The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD, DD, The Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church, was confirmed that The Canon Law of The Anglocatholic Church will be legal and binding for the whole Anglocatholic Church from August 4, 2017. Also The Patriarch confirmed by his decree the Liturgy of the Consecration of Bishops of The Anglocatholic Church (effective immediately – June 28, 2017) and announced, that if the Diocesan Bishops or Metropolitan Archbishops or Archbishops decide so, they may choose an ancient rite for the liturgy under their jurisdiction. Also the Liturgy used by St Basil Cathedral in Toronto, Canada was encouraged to be used in The Anglocatholic Church by the Patriarch, if bishops decide so.
By the decree of His Beatitude The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD, DD, The Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church, on July 7, 2017, the official flag of The Anglocatholic Church was confirmed.
By the decree of His Beatitude, The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD; DD, Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church, Bishop Elect Fr Paul Jacob Boardman, Jr. has been named as a member of The Holy Synod of The Anglocatholic Church effective immediately, July 14, 2017.
On July 30, 2017 The Independent Catholic Gallican Church in France joined The Anglocatholic Church and formed The Archdiocese of Mary Mediatrix of All Graces of The Anglocatholic Church (France). This Archdiocese is led by His Eminence The Most Reverend Raphael Marie Villiere, Archbishop. Archidiocèse Gallican Catholique Indépendant Marie Médiatrice de toutes les grâces de l’Eglise Anglo-Catholique (France).
On August 4 – 6, 2017 there was the First Conclave of The Anglocatholic Church and the Meeting of The Holy Synod in Seekonk, MA, United States. The gathered experienced unique unity in love relationship between our clergy; decision was made to make The Canon Law legal for all over the Anglocatholic Church: two bishops were consecrated by Patriarch Dr. Heigo Ritsbek – these men were Bishop Paul Boardman, Jr. and Bishop Mathew Mount (he left our church later). They were consecrated on August 5, 2017. Canon David Smith was nominated by the Patriarch a Titular Bishop of Antioch of Pisidia; it was decided that the next Holy Synod Meeting will be in late June 2019 in Toronto (Canada), the next Conclave place and time for 2021 was not determined yet; great Enthronement Solemn Mass of Patriarch Dr. Heigo Ritsbek was celebrated on August 6, 2017. The Most Reverend Paul Jacob Boardman, Jr. was nominated by The Patriarch as The Vicar General of The Anglocatholic Church. Wonderful lecture by Bishop David Smith was presented and very fruitful and encouraging theological and liturgical discussions happened; fellowships were around meal times.
On August 5, 2017, His Beatitude, The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD,DD, Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church named The Reverend Canon David Smith, MA, MMus, as a Titular Bishop of Antioch of Pisidia. He had to be consecrated as a Bishop in Toronto.
By the decree of His Beatitude, The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD, DD, Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church, from September 13, 2017, His Eminence, The Most Reverend Raphael Marie Villiere, Archbishop of The Archdiocese of Mary the Matriatrix of All Graces of The Anglocatholic Church (France) has been appointed as a member of The Holy Synod of The Anglocatholic Church.
By the decree of The Patriarch of July 19, 2018 His Eminence, The Archbishop The Most Reverend Raphael Marie Villiere, Archbishop over The Archdiocese of Mary Mediatrix of All Graces, had been elevated to His Eminence, Metropolitan Archbishop, Ordinary of The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mary Mediatrix of All Graces. From the same time Patriarch Dr. Heigo Ritsbek serves also as The Primate of All Europe.
On October 17, 2018, Patriarch Dr. Heigo Ritsbek became a member of The Church History Society of Estonia.
By the decision of Sanctus Theological Institute (Portand, OR, U.S.), the Chairman of the Board The Most Reverend Dr. Richard Halladay, PhD, and Chancellor The Reverend Dr. James Waters, PhD, signed the Doctor of Divinity honoris causa Summa Cum Laude theological degrees to the prelates of The Anglocatholic Church by their decision on December 10, 2018 to His Beatitude Dr. Patriarch Heigo Ritsbek; to His Eminence Patriarch Coadjutor Archbishop David Smith, and to His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Raphael Marie Villiere. For Patriarch Dr. Heigo Ritsbek it is the third honorary doctorate degree.
On February 1, 2019, by the decree of His Beatitude, The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD, DD, Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church, The Oratory of Saint Edward the Confessor of The Anglocatholic Church (Canada) was established. The Oratory is led by His Eminence, The Most Reverend Dr. David Smith, BMus, MMus, DD Summa Cum Laude,Patriarch Coadjutor of The Anglocatholic Church and The Primate of All North America of The Anglocatholic Church.
On February 25th, 2019, by the decree of His Beatitude, The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD, DD, Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church nominated His Eminence, The Most Reverend Dr. Raphael Marie Villiere, DD, Metropolitan Archbishop of The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mary Madiatrix of All Graces of The Anglocatholic Church, also as The Primate of All Europe of The Anglocatholic Church.
On June 2, 2019, by the decree of His Beatitude, The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD, DD, Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church, The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Saint Augustine of Canterbury of The Anglocatholic Church was established. Under this Metropolitan Archdiocese are Diocese of Saint Jerome and Saint Anthony the Great (U.S.), Oratory of Saint Edward the Confessor and retired Bishop Paul Jacob Boardman (U.S.). For the leadership of this Metropolitan Archdiocese His Eminence, The Most Reverend Dr. David Smith, BMus, MMus, DD, Patriarch Coadjutor of The Anglocatholic Church was elevated as Metropolitan Archbishop.
On July 1st, 2019, by the decree of His Beatitude, The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD, DD, Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church, The Revised Code of the Canon Law of The Anglocatholic Church (2019) is officially and legally now the Canon Law of The Anglocatholic Church. The text of The Revised Canon Law will be soon on our webpage.
From September 13, 2019 His Excellency, The Most Reverend Avio Ongang Cyprien, has joined us from DR Congo. He will be serving as Ordinary of The Diocese of Saint Athanasius of The Anglocatholic Church in DR Congo. Since 2019 Bishop Cyprien is the President of the National Council of Community, Catholic, Coptic and Orthodox Churches in DR Congo.
On November 10, 2019 His Excellency, The Most Reverend Dr. Earl Lewis Frazier, BSc, DD, Former Bishop of The Catholic Apostolic National Church, has joined us and is incardinated into The Anglocatholic Church. Currently he serves the Veterans Service Organizations in the United States. He will be leading The Diocese of Saint Giles the Hermit of The Anglocatholic Church.
On Saturday, December 28, 2019, there were in Africa two new bishopos – His Excellency, The Most Reverend Gervasio Nkaranga, Ordinary over the Diocese of Christ the King Divine Mercy of The Anglocatholic Church (Uganda) and His Excellency, The Most Reverend Baltazari Mtenga, Ordinary over the Diocese of Saint Luke the Evangelist of The Anglocatholic Church (Tanzania).
By the decree of His Eminence Dr. David Smith, Presing Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church, on January 13, 2020, The Most Reverend Dr. Richard Dickerson, B.Th., M.Div., J.S.D, was incardinated into The Anglocatholic Church. He will serve as Auxiliary Bishop under His Excellency, The Most Reverend Earl Frazier, the Ordinary of The Diocese of Saint Giles the Hermit of The Anglocatholic Church (US).
His Eminence, The Most Reverend Dr. David Smith, DD, is in the process of radiation treatment and in the recovery from its effects, he will end his service as Presiding Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church and His Beatitude, Patriarch, The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, DD, resumes his activities as THE PATRIARCH of The Anglocatholic Church – effective immediately, January 17, 2020.
On January 18, 2020, by the decree of His Beatitude, The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD, DD, Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church, His Excellency, The Most Reverend Dr. Earl Lewis Frazier, Ordinary of The Diocese of Saint Giles the Hermit of The Anglocatholic Church, was elevated as the Chaplain of the Holy Synod of The Anglocatholic Church.
On February 17, 2020 His Excellency, The Most Reverend Augustine Urumbaev, has joined The Anglocatholic Church with 5 parishes, 2 priests, and 3 deacons with the community of faithful in Irkutsk, Russia. He will be Ordinary over The Diocese of the Holy Cross of The Anglocatholic Church (Russia) under Archdiocese of Jesus the Merciful of The Anglocatholic Church.
On March 25, 2020, By the decree of His Beautitude, The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD, DD, The Patriarch of The Anglocatholic church, His Excellency The Most Reverend Augustine Urumbaev, Dip Agr., Dip.Th., Dip.Rel., Ordinary of The Diocese of the Holy Cross of The Anglocatholic Church, has been elevated as Archbishop. His Eminence, The Most Reverend Augustine Urumbaev will minister as The Archbishop of The Archdiocese of the Holy Cross of The Anglocatholic Church (Russia).
On August 22, 2020, His Beatitude, The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD, DD, Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church, established by a decree under General Office of Tallinn Patriarchate of The Anglocatholic Church, The Office of Canon Law, which will be led as The Prefect, His Eminence, The Most Reverend Dr. David Smith, DD, Metropolitan Archbishop of The Anglocatholic Church.
On August 28, 2020, His Beatitude, The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD, DD, Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church, gave a decree, changing the position of service of His Eminence, The Most Reverend Dr. David A. Smith, BMus, MMus, DD, Metropolitan Archbishop. His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop and Prefect of the Office of Liturgy and Office of Canon Law, based on the request from His Eminence, is released from duties serving as a Member of The Holy Synod, the Vice-Prefect of the Office of the Consecrations and as a Senior Advisor to the Patriarch. At the same time His Eminence, The Most Reverend Dr. David A. Smith, BMus, MMus, DD, will become the Consultant to The Holy Synod of The Anglocatholic Church.
By the decree of His Beatitude, The Most Reverend Dr. HEIGO RITSBEK, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD, DD, Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church, on September 7, 2020 The Holy Trinity Anglocatholic School of Ministry was established. President of this distance learning school is Patriarch Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, Dean Primate Dr. Earl L. Frazier. Currently Nigeria is our only Satellite Campus, but they may be established around the world in different places. We will open from September 1, 2021 one degree Program – degree is Bachelor of Ministry (B.Min). Faculty Members are currently: Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, Dr. David Smith, We hope to begin next September with 5 students in Nigeria. Also there are possibilities to form other Satellite Campuses. At the same time we have established a special program for Bishops and Bishop-Elects without earned theological degrees to receive Master of Ministry (M.M.) degree. For these our Bishops and Bishops Elects who have not a theological degree, have other degrees and honorary degrees, it is a possbility to get a theological degree from our School of Ministry – Master of Ministry (M.M.)
Signed by the President of Holy Trinity Anglocatholic School of Ministry, The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD, DD, The Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church, Holy Trinity School of Ministry gives on September 8, 2020, to Bishop Emeritus Paul J. Boardman, Jr. and Primate Joseph Pevigo, Doctor of Divinity honoris causa degrees! Axios! Axios! Axios!
On September 8, 2020, by the decree of His Beatitude, The Most Reverend Dr. Heigo Ritsbek, MA, MDiv, DMin, LittD, DD, Patriarch of The Anglocatholic Church, The Most Reverend Julio Cesar Diazgranados Fandino, Ordinary of the Diocese of Saint Patrick (Colombia) of The Anglocatholic Church, has been named as a Member of The Holy Synod of The Anglocatholic Church, the highest organ of The Anglocatholic Church and the only legislative body of The Anglocatholic Church.
At our Holy Trinity Anglocatholic School of Ministry the lowest level regular students will begin distance learning from September 2021 for Bachelor of Ministry (B.Min.) degree, at the same time proposed Bishops Track for receiving Master of Ministry (M.Min.) is already working, as some Bishops of our Church are working with their dissertation – details given in my email to them. From opening the School of Ministry two first honorary degrees – Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) have been given out.