Our Bishop

our bishops

Metropolitan Archbishop Kristina Rake

The Most Reverend Kristina Rake is the Presiding Bishop of the American Apostolic Old Catholic Church and Head of the Curia. Bishop Rake holds a Masters Degree in Theology and Scripture from Andover Newton Theological Seminary, a part of Yale University Divinity School. She is a published author of several dozen articles on topics ranging from stem cell research to quantum physics, as well as two theology books. However, most of her work has been in the field of theology, particularly Dogmatic Theology and Biblical Theology. Bishop Rake is an award-winning preacher and writer and is a longtime member of Mensa.

Her favorite ministry is that of Reconciliation. "It is in the Sacrament of Penance that our vision is corrected and our own wills experience a true 'reconciliation'. 'Reconciliation' means literally, 'to turn with again.' Our hearts are reoriented with God's, so that our very being moves with God and for God in the same way that a sunflower turns its face to its god throughout the day."

Bishop Rake can be reached by email here

The Seal of the Most Reverend Kristina Rake, Presiding Bishop of the AAOCC

To the left is a field of blue, signifying the Virgin Mary's mantle, which is wrapped protectively around her priests.

On the left, in the field of blue, is the Stella Maris, or Star of the Sea. It is a symbol of the Blessed Mother and one of Bishop Rake's favorites. The Bishop spent most of her life on the ocean and still has a deep love for the sea.

To the right is the field of purple, the color of penance. The theme of Bishop Rake's ministry is one of reconciliation. She believes confession is the starting point of true conversion and that penance and discipline is vital to spirituality.

On the field of purple is situated the Star of David, the symbol of the Jewish Faith. Bishop Rake has long admired and loved the Jewish religion and has studied the Talmud, Mishna, Midrash, and other ancient Jewish sources because they better elucidate the Catholic faith.

On her Seal stand two Shepherd's Staffs facing outward in opposite directions. These represent two of Bishop's pastoral positions: one standing amid the ministry of reconciliation and one standing amid the ocean of God's love and mercy. But for penance and mercy, no soul can stand before God. Bishop Rake is an apostle of God's mercy and our need to love God for it.

In the center, in triumphant pose, stands the Agnus Dei, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. This is indicative of Bishop's tremendous love and devotion to the Eucharist, the true and precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The lamb triumphant also represents the Second Coming of Our Lord and the heavenly banquet we will also attend once we enter into the Beatific Vision of God.

Finally, Bishop's motto, which sums up her entire spirituality: "My God, My Love, and My All."

Bishop Rake has unquestioned apostolic lines going back to the Apostle Phillip and including a number of well-known personages, like St. Augustine of Canterbury and Samuel Seabury. as well. You can view Bishop Rake's apostolic succession here.