English translation copyright © 2005 by Phillip A. Garver, Ep.Gn.; O.'.C.'.M.'. /O.'.C.'.P.'. - All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of any of the contents or variations thereon without written consent expressly prohibited.

The History of the Haitian Gnostics
or,How the Esoteric Movement began in Haiti, on the founding of a Gnostic Church and its eventual migration to North America.

Many people ignore the history of the foundation of the Gnostic Church (specifically the Eglise Gnostique Apostolique) in Haiti and its importance for the Gnostic Church in North America. This article is aimed at filling that gap:

In the 1950's, the Initiatory schools [Ed. Note. Western initiatory schools] found their way to Haiti. Many people, both male and female, became part of the flourishing AMORC-style Rosicrucianism since Freemasonry had been deemed "diabolical" by the Missionaries (whose mission was both religious and political) in Haiti. This was during an era when all the Heads of State, being bound by a concordat, were treated as mere vassals of the Vatican, but since AMORC was little known in Haiti it had not yet made the list of condemned organizations and so there was no risk of excommunication. Anyone with an inclination toward the mystical found, there, a refuge. It was possible to subscribe either via France under Raymond Bernard or via the United States in San Jose California within the Orders of the Imperator Spencer Lewis. Thus, the popularization of Rosicrucianism in Haiti began to spread across the whole country, but in a discreet manner, from Port-au-Prince where the following people were involved: Victor Gabriel, Willer Vital-Herne, Joseph Pratt, Lys Denizard, Felix Herard, Walter Herard, Sanon Jules, Edouard Pierre-Noël, Armand Louis-Jacques, Luc Coiscou, and others, all the way up to Cap-Haitien in the North Department with Pierre Laurent and Jacques Agénor.

On July 26, 1954, a group of occultists, Freemasons, Rosicrucians, and kabbalists gathered together to form an inner circle for the purpose of Esoteric Studies, which they called "Cénacle Alpha et Oméga" and whose motto was the saying of the ancient schools at Delphi: "Know Thyself..." The members of this group had their passwords and signs of recognition, all of which were identical to those of Freemasonry. There were some very influential people among the founders of this group. At the head of the list was the engineer Luc Coiscou, Superintendant of Hasco, who was elected President of the Cénacle (Alpheton) and later became Grand Master of the Grand Orient of Haiti. At his passing to the Eternal Orient, no one could doubt his importance with the grandiose Masonic funeral services held at the Respectable Lodge "l'Etoile No. 5" where he had been the Venerable Master. The surveyor François Avin, who was the director of the movement, held meetings at his home at 36 rue du Montalais, was the Master of Ceremonies of the Cénacle and its Vice President (Anton); Doctor Marcel Tovar Taylor, a noted esotericist and kabbalist who became the Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degrees of Haiti was the Scribe (Albeton) of the Cénacle. A young man, passionate about kabbalah and a lover of the occult sciences, the baby of the group, was the Coordinator of the Library of the Cénacle (Adalton): Roger Victor-Hérard; there were other members, too, such as Roger Loubeau, Louis Carré, Roger Avin, Spenger Fleurimond, Lucien Papillon, Raoul Pierre, Joseph Joanaime, André Ardouin.

Everything was running smoothly for the "Alpha et Omega" until the evening of the altercation which broke out at the door of the Temple of Respectable Lodge "Le Mont Liban No. 22" at 6 rue de l'Enterrment between Brothers Roger Victor-Hérard and Lys Denizard. Victor-Hérard had been prevented entry into the Temple at the instigation of Luc Coicou under the false pretext that they were working Martinism... Lys Denizard, at that time, was a fervent disciple of the Ordre Martiniste Traditionnel. Victor-Hérard wasn't fooled and decided to found a group of the Ordre Martiniste de Papus which took its name from PAPUS, the founder of international Martinism (without Papus, there wouldn't be any Martinism as we have come to know it!). Dr. Philippe Encausse, son of Papus (Dr. Gérard Encausse)