Welcome to the Priory of Salem
The Priory of Salem is a theological, educational, cultural, and peace-building institute of the Orthodox Church of the Culdees. We serve through study, prayer, pilgrimage, historic preservation, religious liberty advocacy, and the restoration of Celtic Orthodox heritage.
As a school and ministry, the Priory offers spiritual formation, historical research, certificates of study, humanitarian initiatives, and fellowship for those seeking to grow in Christian service and cultural continuity.
Institutes & Areas of Study
Our work is organized through four primary institutes.
Theology
Biblical studies, Orthodox catechesis, Celtic Christianity, liturgy, and clergy formation.
Peace Studies
Balanced research, reconciliation, minority rights, cultural preservation, and social peace.
Law & Canon
Canon law, religious liberty, constitutional studies, succession, and ecclesiastical governance.
Health Studies
Christian wellness, historic healing traditions, community health, and biblical purity principles.
Celtic Heritage & Historical Continuity
The Priory preserves the historical memory of Celtic Christian peoples through genealogy, clan studies, archives, ecclesiastical history, historic communities, and cultural restoration projects.
This includes the Centre for Celtic Heritage & Historical Continuity, the MacNeill-MacGregor archival work, Glastonbury continuity studies, and historic community projects such as MacGregor Township in Colorado.
Feasts, Festivals & Pilgrimage
The Priory coordinates pilgrimage and feast-day gatherings in connection with the parent ministry of St. Andrew’s OCC. Historic pilgrimage locations have included Glastonbury, Jerusalem, Cologne, Chartres, and other sacred Christian sites.
Current festival emphasis has increasingly included the Ozarks region of Missouri, including Lake of the Ozarks and Eagle Rock, where fellowship, prayer, teaching, and seasonal feasts may be organized.
Education & Certificates
Certificate programs may be issued on a case-by-case basis according to the student’s focus area, commitment, submitted work, life credit, ministry records, or completed training.
Within the Communion, clergy formation follows canonical expectations. For example, a deacon should ordinarily be in training for not less than two years of study before advancement toward priesthood, according to the norms of the Church.
Holy Orders & Community Roles
The Holy Orders of the Priory are servant arms of the broader institute. They assist with fellowship, pilgrimage, peacekeeping, cultural preservation, and sacred service. These include honorary and functional roles within the Order of Salem and Order of the Gate.
Global Advocacy
Through the Institute of Peace Studies and associated ministries, the Priory supports peaceful advocacy for endangered Christian communities, religious liberty, cultural continuity, and historic community restoration.