Editing Celestial Church of Christ

{{Short description|Church founded in Africa by Samuel Oshoffa}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox Christian denomination
| name = Celestial Church of Christ
| image = Benin - batism ceremony in Cotonou.jpg
| imagewidth = 300px
| caption = "Spiritual headwashing" in [[Cotonou]], [[Benin]]
| main_classification = [[Protestantism|Protestant]]
| orientation = {{ubl|[[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]]|[[African-initiated church|African-initiated]]}}
| theology = [[Aladura]]
| headquarters = Porto-Novo<br>Supreme Headquarters: Tchakou Benin<br> International Headquarters: Mission House, Ketu, Lagos, Nigeria<br>Holy City: Celestial City Imeko, Ogun State
| founder = [[Samuel Oshoffa]]
|governance = Rev [[Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa]], Pastor Head, CCC Worldwide (2002–Date)
| founded_date = 29 September 1947
| founded_place = [[Porto-Novo]], [[Benin]]
| from = 
| branched_from = 
| merger =
| separations = 
| associations = 
| area = Worldwide
| website = {{URL|http://thecccworldwide.org/|Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide}}
| logo = 
}}

The '''Celestial Church of Christ''' (CCC) is a Pentecostal church in the [[Aladura]] movement, which was founded by [[Samuel Oshoffa]] on 29 September 1947 in [[Porto-Novo]] in modern [[Benin]].<ref name="Adetonah">{{cite book |first=A. |last=Adetonah |title=Lumière sur le Christianisme Céleste |year=1972 |language=French |pages=85}}</ref> It has spread from [[West Africa]] with the [[African diaspora]] in Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-01-31 |title=In pictures: The African Christian congregations of London |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-47070164 |access-date=2023-12-21}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> The CCC has followers in Benin and [[Nigeria]], particularly in [[Lagos]] and [[Ogun State]].<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |title=Le Christianisme Céleste en France et en Belgique | date=2008 |url=http://www.cairn.info/resume.php?ID_ARTICLE=ASSR_143_0091 |publisher=Cairn | doi=10.4000/assr.16703 |accessdate=2 August 2010 | last1=Henry | first1=Christine | last2=Noret | first2=Joël | journal=[[Archives de sciences sociales des religions]] | issue=143 | pages=91–109 | hdl=2013/ULB-DIPOT:oai:dipot.ulb.ac.be:2013/98628 | hdl-access=free }}</ref>

==History==
Oshoffa was born in [[French Dahomey]] (now [[Benin]]) in 1909.<ref name="crumbly">{{cite book|last=Crumbly|first=Deidre Helen|title=Spirit, Structure, and Flesh: Gendered Experiences in African Instituted Churches Among the Yoruba of Nigeria p. 54 on|publisher=University of Wisconsin Press|year=2008|pages=182|isbn=978-0-299-22910-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=olMmvHsB-C4C&dq=Samuel+Bilehou+Oshoffa&pg=PA54|accessdate=7 April 2017}}</ref> Raised as a [[Methodist]], he claimed to have had a divine revelation while lost in a forest on 23 May 1947 during a [[solar eclipse]]. (The nearest recorded solar eclipse visible in [[Africa]] occurred on May 20, not May 23, of that year.) He felt called to pray, to heal the sick, and to raise the dead. He founded his church in September 1947.<ref>{{cite book |last=Partridge |first=Christopher |title=New Religions A Guide.New York: Oxford |year=2004 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-522042-1}}</ref> 

Having appointed himself Prophet, Reverend, Pastor, and Founder, he occupied the highest office of his movement. The hegemony he exercised on doctrine and discipline issues made succession difficult when he died in 1985 in [[Lagos|Lagos, Nigeria]].<ref name="crumbly"/> The CCC was recognized and authorized by the [[Republic of Dahomey]] in 1965. From 1976, the church launched an evangelistic campaign in that country, a former colony of [[French West Africa]] which gained independence in 1960. 

Since the late 1990s, the CCC has used the [[internet]] as a means of [[Evangelism|evangelization]], allowing the many existing branches of the church within the [[African diaspora]] in the [[United Kingdom]], [[Germany]], [[Austria]], [[France]], the [[United States of America|United States]] and elsewhere to maintain contact with each other and with [[Nigeria]], the nation in which the CCC is currently most popular.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QlW3ZMxrCKMC&pg=PA257|title=Òrìşà devotion as world religion: the globalization of Yorùbá religious culture|last2=Rey|first2=Terry|publisher=Univ of Wisconsin Press|year=2008|isbn=978-0-299-22464-6|pages=257–58|first1=Jacob|last1=Obafẹmi Kẹhinde Olupọna}}</ref> 

The movement has continued to grow since Oshoffa's death after a contentious succession.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2001/04/04/20010404fea01.html |title=This Day Online |access-date=10 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927200605/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2001/04/04/20010404fea01.html |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Oshoffa was succeeded by [[Alexander Abiodun Adebayo Bada]], who was head of the church until his death on 8 September 2000.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.celestialchurch.com/news/newsroom/cele_mourns_bada.htm 
 |publisher=Celestial Church 
 |title=Celestial signs lighten Bada's burial 
 |work=The Comet 
 |date=October 2, 2000 
 |accessdate=2011-06-12 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001124707/http://www.celestialchurch.com/news/newsroom/cele_mourns_bada.htm 
 |archivedate=1 October 2011 
 |df=dmy 
}}</ref>

Bada was briefly followed as leader by [[Philip Hunsu Ajose]], who died in March 2001. A dispute followed over the succession to Ajose. Some declared [[Gilbert Oluwatosin Jesse]] as the new leader, while the majority recognised the Reverend [[Emmanuel Oshoffa]], son of Samuel Oshoffa.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.celestialchurch.com/news/newsroom/news_2003.htm
 |title=Celestial Church: Oschoffa Renews Call for Peace
 |work=[[ThisDay]]
 |date=October 11, 2003
 |author=Yemi Akinsuyi
 |accessdate=2011-06-12
 |url-status=dead
 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001124714/http://www.celestialchurch.com/news/newsroom/news_2003.htm
 |archivedate=1 October 2011
 |df=dmy-all
 }}</ref>

Following Jesse's death, his faction declared that Superior Evangelist [[Paul Suru Maforikan]] was the new spiritual leader of the church.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.celestialchurch.com/news/newsroom/news_2003.htm
 |title=Cele: Maforikan succeeds Jesse
 |publisher=Celestial Church of Christ
 |author=BISI ERETAN
 |accessdate=2011-06-12
 |url-status=dead
 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001124714/http://www.celestialchurch.com/news/newsroom/news_2003.htm
 |archivedate=1 October 2011
 |df=dmy-all
 }}</ref> 
Contrary to the procedure of succession in Nigeria, the supreme headquarters in [[Porto-Novo]] chose Benoit Agbaossi to head the church. Agbaossi appointed Benoit Adeogun as the next director  shortly before his death in 2010.

==Beliefs==
The CCC is a prophetic Christian church. Its members call themselves "Celestians", and the church is sometimes informally called “Cele”. The formal name of the church is inspired by a vision, in which [[Jesus]] said that Church members adore him as do the angels in [[heaven]],<ref name="Adetonah"/> and from [[Book of Deuteronomy|Deuteronomy]] 26:15: "Look down from thy Holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel and the land which thou hast given us, as thou didst swear to our father, a [[Promised Land|land flowing with milk and honey]]". 

The church claims inspiration from God through the manifestation of the [[Holy Spirit]] among the faithful. Its doctrinal teachings are based on the [[Bible]], and any superstition or animist belief from [[African traditional religions]] is excluded,<ref name="Adetonah"/> as in other churches in the [[Aladura]] movement. The church is governed by twelve major recommendations, consisting of several prohibitions, including food, common to a number of other [[Monotheism|monotheistic]] religions.<ref name="Adetonah"/> [[Tobacco]], [[Alcohol (drug)|alcohol]], and the consumption of [[pork]] are forbidden. 

Church members wear white one-piece garments during worship, and must not wear their shoes whilst wearing their garments or while within the main church.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2021-05-10 |title=Nigeria's Celestial Church of Christ warns against spiritual perfumes |language=en-GB |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57057896 |access-date=2023-12-21}}</ref> Men and women are separated at the church. [[Menstruating]] women and those who have recently given birth are considered to be "unclean" and must not  enter the church building or wear the garment for seven days, after which they are to be "sanctified" by the use of water, candle, sponge and soap with palm fronds. 

Members of CCC are forbidden to engage or participate in any form of [[idolatry]], [[Fetishism|fetish]] ceremony or cults, black magic and charms. Only men who are "anointed" are allowed access to the altar. Services often use candles and perfumes during prayers.<ref name=":1" /> The church uses [[English language]] Bibles, as well as [[Yoruba language|Yoruba]] translated versions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Church Rooted in Africa Mixes 'Best of All Religions' Into One; Hyattsville Parish Blends Traditions to Help Cleanse the World |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |first=Cecila |last=Farrell |date=24 August 1991 |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/74729876.html?dids=74729876:74729876&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=AUG+24%2C+1991&author=Cecila+Farrell&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Church+Rooted+in+Africa+Mixes+%60Best+of+All+Religions%27+Into+One%3B+Hyattsville+Parish+Blends+Traditions+to+Help+Cleanse+the+World&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001005912/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/74729876.html?dids=74729876:74729876&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=AUG+24,+1991&author=Cecila+Farrell&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Church+Rooted+in+Africa+Mixes+%60Best+of+All+Religions%27+Into+One%3B+Hyattsville+Parish+Blends+Traditions+to+Help+Cleanse+the+World&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 October 2007 |accessdate=2 August 2010}}</ref> 

The church supposedly takes elements from [[Ogu people|Ogu]] and [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] thought. It also has strong similarities to the "purification movements" against [[paganism]] that are relatively common in [[African Christianity]]. Oshoffa believed he had a mission to combat "[[Satan]], 'fetish priests' and other 'powers of darkness'" (see [[Marburg colloquy]]).{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

==Imeko Convocation==
Every December, usually, between the 21st and 24th, the church hosts an international event called the Imeko Convocation. It is mandated that every member of CCC attend as a pilgrim. The CCC believes the event attendance is a mandate made by Oshoffa following his declaration that God had chosen [[Imeko Afon|Imeko]] as the New Jerusalem for the fold.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pilgrimage to Imeko (Nigeria): An African Church in the Time of the 'Global Village|url=https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-00142407/document|last=André|first=Mary|date=2002|website=Hal Archives Ouvertes.fr|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922154213/https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-00142407/document |archive-date=22 September 2017 |access-date=}}</ref>

== Architecture ==
The temples of worship always face east. An altar stand has seven candle holders that represent the seven spirits of Jehovah as represented in [[Revelation 4|Revelation 4:5]]. The church auditorium also has different rows for male and female seats. On days that services are observed during the week, such as the Wednesday and the Friday services, another altar is made which has three, rather than seven, candles.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

==Demographics and reception==
In 2001, it was the second largest church in Benin by the number of its practitioners with nearly half a million followers.<ref>{{cite book |first=Albert |last=De Surgy |title=L'Église du christianisme céleste un exemple d'Église prophétique au Bénin |publisher=Karthala |place=Paris |others=Series: Chrétiens en liberté |date=June 2001 |language=French}}</ref> In France, the church is suspected by two anti-cults associations, [[Union nationale des associations de défense des familles et de l'individu|ADFI]] and [[Centre contre les manipulations mentales|CCMM]], of "cultic deviances"<ref>{{cite journal |title=Le Préfet veut relancer la vigileance contre les dérives sectaires |url=http://www.prevensectes.com/rev0501.htm#7 |journal=AFP |date=7 January 2005 |language=French |accessdate=2 August 2010}}</ref> and of having committed acts of violence involving the death of a fifteen-year-old minor.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Church members jailed after exorcism kills teen |url=http://www1.rfi.fr/actuen/articles/114/article_4097.asp  |date=25 June 2009 |publisher=[[Radio France Internationale]]  |accessdate=31 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Procès en appel pour les responsables de l'église du Christianisme céleste |url=http://www.franceguyane.fr/actualite/faitsdivers/proces-en-appel-pour-les-responsables-de-l-eglise-du-christianisme-celeste-24-02-2010-52006.php |first=D. |last=St-J. |journal=France-Guyane |language=French |date=24 February 2010 |accessdate=2 August 2010}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
* {{in lang|fr}} Pierre Ndjom, ''Lumière sur l'Eglise du Christianisme Céleste'', Paris (France), 2016, 283 p. {{ISBN|978-2-9557548-0-1}}
* {{in lang|fr}} Apollinaire Adetonah, ''Lumière sur le Christianisme Céleste'', 1972, 85 p.
* {{in lang|fr}} Christine Henry, Pierre-Joseph Laurent and André Mary, « Du vin nouveau dans de vieilles outres : parcours d'un dissident du Christianisme Céleste (Bénin) », in ''Social Compass'', 2001, vol. 48, no 3, pp.&nbsp;353–68
* {{in lang|fr}} Christine Henry, ''La force des anges : rites, hiérarchie et divination dans le Christianisme Céleste'', Bénin, Brepols, Turnhout (Belgique), 2008, 280 p. ({{ISBN|978-2-503-52889-2}})
* {{in lang|fr}} Codjo Hébert Johnson, ''Le syncrétisme religieux dans le golfe du Bénin : le cas du 'Christianisme céleste' '', Université Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris, 1974, 139 p.
* {{in lang|fr}} Joël Noret, « La place des morts dans le christianisme céleste », in ''Social compass'', 2003, vol. 50, no 4, pp.&nbsp;493–510
* {{in lang|fr}} Laurent Omonto Ayo Gérémy Ogouby, « L'Église du christianisme céleste », in ''Les religions dans l'espace public au Bénin: vodoun, christianisme, islam'', L'Harmattan, Paris, 2008, pp.&nbsp;46–48 ({{ISBN|978-2-296-06111-8}})
* {{in lang|fr}} R. Saint-Germain, « Les chrétiens célestes, description d'une Église indépendante africaine: Questions d'éthique en sciences des religions », in ''Religiologiques'' (Montréal), 1996, vol. 13, pp.&nbsp;169–94
* {{in lang|fr}} Codjo Sodokin, ''Les 'syncrétismes' religieux contemporains et la société béninoise: Le cas du christianisme céleste'', Université Lumière, Lyon, 1984, 306 p.
* {{in lang|fr}} Albert de Surgy, ''L'Église du Christianisme Céleste: Un exemple d'Église prophétique au Bénin'', Karthala editions, 2001, 332 p. ({{ISBN|2845861303}})
* {{in lang|fr}} Claude Wauthier, « L'Église du christianisme céleste », in ''Sectes et prophètes d'Afrique noire'', Seuil, Paris, 2007, chapter XV, p.&nbsp;227 and f. ({{ISBN|9782020621816}})
* Afeosemime U. Adogame, ''Celestial Church of Christ: the politics of cultural identity in a West African prophetic-charismatic movement'', P. Lang, Francfort-sur-le-Main, New York, P. Lang, 1999, 251 p.
*(in English) Edith Oshoffa, ''The Enigmatic spiritual leader of our time S.B.J. Oshoffa: Celestial Church of Christ Beulah Parish,'' 1st Edition April 2014, Edith Oshoffa, ({{ISBN|9789789378692}})

==Filmography==
* {{in lang|fr}} ''Regard sur le christianisme céleste'', documentary film produced by Albert de Surgy, CNRS Audiovisuel, Meudon, 1995, 40' (VHS)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.egliseduchristianismeceleste-nonofficiel.org Celestial hymns, artists and reference documents]
*[http://cccglp.com/ website of Celestial Church of Christ, CCC London]
*[http://www.celestialchurch.com/ Homepage of Celestial Church USA] 
*[http://www.cccworldwide.church/ Website of the Official headquarters in Nigeria]
*[http://celestialchurch.com/document/the-celestial-church-of-christ-constitution/ Constitution CCC]
*[http://celestialchurch.com/about-us-2/our-code-of-conduct/ The Spiritual Structural Foundation of CCC]
*[http://celestialchurch.com/about-us-2/full-width-page/ Scriptural Foundations of the Celestial Church Mode of Worship]
*[https://www.celestialfaces.org/amazing-facts-about-some-of-most-inspirational-spiritual-hymns-in-ccc/ Amazing Facts About Some of Most Inspirational Spiritual Hymns in CCC]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050224140534/http://www.uni-marburg.de/religionswissenschaft/journal/mjr/pdf/1998/adogame1998.pdf Marburg Journal of Religion article]
* [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/search/expand?pub=infobike://eup/afr/2003/00000073/00000004/art00005&unc= Brief mention]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Celestial Church Of Christ}}
[[Category:1947 establishments in French Dahomey]]
[[Category:African initiated churches]]
[[Category:Pentecostal denominations established in the 20th century]]
[[Category:Christian organizations established in 1947]]
[[Category:Christian denominations in Benin]]
[[Category:Christian new religious movements]]