Mere Anglicanism believes that educated, authentically discipled, and active Anglicans — both lay and clergy — are central to the efforts to reform and renew Anglicanism in North America. We are an event-oriented organization that provides the tools and resources to disciple, train, and educate lay and clergy leaders. Just who will be developing these resources? Take a look at our Resource Development Committee.

Read on to discover why we chose the Gryffon as the symbol of Mere Anglicanism's purpose.

The Gryffon's Story

A magical creature with the body of a lion, and the head and wings of an eagle — the gryphon's image decorated the gold cups of Persia. The Greek god Apollo rode one as his steed. It guarded the gold of the peoples of the far north, the land of eternal sunshine. Roman tombs featured the gryphon as guardian. And in Great Britain, the Celtic people used its image. The gryphon became a heraldic symbol on coats-of-arms and Milton wrote of it. The gryphon has traveled through many lands, many ages. Its lineage is strong.

Master of earth and sky, the lion and the eagle came to represent the strength and wisdom of God. Its dual nature was seen as a symbol of two natures in one person — Jesus Christ.

The gryphon's mythical attributes were courage, intelligence and strength, valour and eternal vigilance.

But what was the gryphon's purpose? It was to find and guard gold and hidden treasures. The treasures it was said to guard were legendary, and incalculably precious. Eventually it was said to guard knowledge, the road to salvation, the Tree of Life, and . . . the Faithful. It is these qualities of vigilant strength, knowledge, and courage that make the Gryphon an excellent sign of Mere Anglicanism's purpose.

Mere Anglicanism believes that educated, authentically discipled, and active Anglicans — both lay and clergy — are central to the efforts to reform and renew Anglicanism in North America. That is Mere Anglicanism's purpose. We are an event-oriented organization that provides the tools and resources to disciple, train, and educate lay and clergy leaders.

It is in this way that we hope to guard the treasure that is the Christian gospel — and the treasure that is the Anglican expression of it."