The liturgical statute of the Church of Unity
Working translation. Synchronized with the Russian corpus as of 2026-10-25. Canonical formulas are binding only in the Russian original; publication — after human review.
Preface
The liturgical statute defines the order, the structure, and the principles of the gatherings of the community.
The statute does not create mystery. Gatherings — are an instrument: they hold the rhythm, the honesty, and the memory of the community. Rituals are admissible only as a game for memory and heart; they do not replace deeds. The true contribution into the One shows itself in deeds, not in rites.
The forms of gatherings (the Quiet Evening, the Evening of Unity, the Sunday table, the rites) are described in "Gatherings of the community" and "The order of the mysteries." This statute sets the general frames for all forms.
See also: the Canon, Chapter 13. On Symbols and Mass Actions; Gatherings of the community; The order of the mysteries.
1. The goals and principles
1.1. The goals
A living circle. A gathering gathers people face to face — there where a person is seen. In correspondence everything hides; in the circle — it is visible.
Honesty. The Evening of Unity and the minute of re-understanding exist so that a person names his own himself. A gathering — is the place where honesty is customary, not heroic.
Memory. The word about what remains, the register of the word, the annual report — gatherings make the memory of the community common, not private.
Connection. People who eat together, keep silence together, and speak the truth together remain a community. People who only discuss — turn into a chat.
1.2. The principles
Unity. All participants are equal: no one is higher, no one is lower.
Silence. Silence — is a part of the gathering. But the gaps of time (the gathering, the entry, the seating) — are not a ritual; do not turn waiting into a mystery.
Honesty. A lie destroys a gathering. Better silence than a beautiful word.
Respect. The one who speaks is listened to. No one dominates.
Freedom. Participation — is a free choice. The community calls, does not compel. Whoever chose the Covenant — holds the rhythm himself; the rhythm is held by love of the circle, not by attendance lists.
Fruits. Every gathering must end with people going to do. A gathering is not a deed; a gathering prepares for the deed.
2. The kinds of gatherings
2.1. The personal rhythm (daily)
Morning and evening silence: from five to fifteen minutes, individually. In the morning — the attunement to the day and to what you want to leave after yourself. In the evening — the minute of re-understanding of your day: whom you hurt, what you left unfinished, what you managed to set right. The prayer book — by choice.
2.2. The Quiet Evening (weekly, open)
The order and content — "Gatherings of the community," ch. 1. Open to all, including guests. The word about what remains and the minute of re-understanding (exactly a minute).
2.3. The Evening of Unity (monthly, for core members and covenant guests)
The order and content — "Gatherings of the community," ch. 2. A person names himself what he left unhealed; the circle answers only with gratitude for his good.
2.4. The Sunday table (weekly small, monthly big)
The order and content — "Gatherings of the community," ch. 3. The main rhythm of the community: food, silence during the meal, the weekly accounts, the question of the week.
2.5. The rites
Accepting the Covenant, the dedications, the presentation of the newborn (and the presentation of the child), the First Coming-out, the joining of union, reconciliation, the sending-off of the departed, the anniversary of the sending-off — "The order of the mysteries."
2.6. The feasts
The annual circle of feasts — "The festive calendar": the Days of Unity, Knowledge, Creation, Harmony, the Community, Gratitude, the seasonal feasts, the Day of memory of the departed.
3. The general structure of a gathering
Despite the different forms, every gathering holds three supports:
- The gap and the gathering. People come, take their seats. This is not a ritual — simply time. The gathering begins when all are in place and silence has come.
- The main part. Its own for each form: the word, the circle, the speakings, the meal. The order — by the document of the corresponding form.
- The completion. A short silence and the formula of closing. After the gathering — tea, talk, return to ordinary life. A gathering does not cut off communication — it begins it.
The order of the forms must not be changed: it is load-bearing. To shorten and lengthen — one may; a gathering — is not a concert by notes.
4. Preparation and holding
4.1. Preparation
The place: clean, quiet, the participants see each other; the circle or the table — by the form. The materials — in advance. The food — in advance (for the table: two cook, the payment of labor — from the common treasury).
The participants: come on time, clean and tidy, with everyday affairs closed.
The host (the servant, the master of the table, the Speaker): know the order of his form, come in advance, attune himself. The role of the host — to hold the frame of the form and to keep silence in time.
4.2. The holding
The host begins without long introductions. The main part goes in the order of the form. The host watches the time (the minute of re-understanding — exactly a minute), and that everyone can speak and no one is obliged.
4.3. After the gathering
The affairs of the gathering — into the register (decisions, promises). Help to those who need it. The diary — the personal affair of each.
5. Servants and participants
5.1. The servant
The servant leads the form: holds the time, the order, and the frame. He creates the space where people can speak honestly and keep silence freely. His speech — short, honest, without sermons: the servant — is not a guru but a frame.
The personal qualities of the servant: sincerity, respect, the absence of the thirst for rising, steadiness in another's grief and another's admission of guilt.
Knowledge: the canon, the Covenant, the order of all forms and rites, the liturgical documents.
The confirmation: nomination (a candidate, a member of the community, or a servant) → practice under the guidance of an experienced servant → the vote of the core of the community (two thirds; at levels above the community — two thirds of representatives) → dedication ("The order of the mysteries," ch. 3 and the expansion by services).
5.2. The participant
Participation — is free. A guest is present and keeps silence until asked. A member contributes by strength: word, deed, food, hands, attention.
The rules are simple: do not interrupt; do not judge another's admission; what was said in the circle does not leave the circle; keeping silence — is allowed to all.
6. Voluntariness and rhythm
Participation in gatherings — is voluntary. The community does not keep attendance lists and does not ask "why were you not there": duty-watching breeds concealment; trust — telling.
But the rhythm — is common: the community holds by gatherings. A member who stopped coming is not a "violator": people go to him, not notifications. The cause of absence can be anything — and illness, and weariness, and a quarrel with the community. All this — is a reason for a talk, not for sanctions. Exclusion — is an extreme measure only for one: creates wounds and refuses the debt of healing.
The minute of re-understanding — is exactly a minute. Brevity — is part of the design: honesty has time to happen and does not turn into a performance.
7. Special circumstances
7.1. Online gatherings
When a personal circle is impossible (illness, distance, epidemic): the Quiet Evening and the question of the week — can be online; the Evening of Unity and the sending-offs — only in person: an admission of guilt and the Word do not bear the screen. The rules online: the microphones are off during silence, the circle of words — in turn, the recording by default is not made; a recording is possible only with the consent of all participants of the circle and is published in the same measure of consent.
7.2. Gatherings outdoors
In summer and on feasts — one may be in the open air: a field, a forest, a yard. The requirements are the same: silence is possible, all see each other, food does not spoil. A portable sign and a portable table.
7.3. Small communities
A community of three people — is a full community: the table, the evening, the minute — the same. Do not invent "simplified forms for the small": the form is one, the scale is another.
Conclusion
Gatherings — are not the path to the One but road signs on it. The real — is in deeds: what you leave after yourself, the wounds you heal.
The matter is not in rituals — in true steps.