Magna Aenilia Ecclesia
| |||||
| Continent / Island | Far East | ||||
| Capital Temple | Idapur, Greater Aenilia | ||||
Senior Council
|
|||||
| Temples |
| ||||
| Congregation | ~183.000 | ||||
| Realms of the Faith |
| ||||
Past Religious Spreads | |||||
Magna Aenilia Ecclesia is the current Aenilic faith. Built on the ruins of the fallen Vandaenil, the good Aenilic word is slowly being restored to the East.
Contents
History
Upon the destruction of Taith Aenil and the forging of Greater Aenilia by the Prophet Orphaea Imperium (once Orphen Vincent) and his disciple Luyten Dell, the last remaining bastion of heresy in Aenilia was the guild of the Vandaenil. Orphaea tore down the guild and saw a grand temple raised in its place. In keeping with the declaration he made when he oversaw the foundation of Greater Aenilia, the faith is a sovereign institution equal, not subject, to Greater Aenilia, with its own rank system and military forces.
See also: Magna Aenilia Ecclesia/Book of Promises
Dogma
See also: Magna Aenilia Ecclesia/Beliefs
The Aenil are beings that occupy a world greater than and parallel to our own. Our own actions on this plane of existence call out to the Aenil in their identical yet separated world, influencing them as much as their blessings (or curses) influence us. It is impossible to say 'all Aenil are good' or 'this many are good and this many are bad'; the Aenil are innumerable (in the sense that, while it is unlikely there are an infinite number, there are so many it is beyond the capacity of man to number them) and as varied as men. Our own actions influence those Aenil who take an interest in our lives. For that reason, it is important to act well so that our actions might attract benevolent Aenil who can guide and protect us from those that would cause us harm, Aenil or man.
Traditions
See also: Magna Aenilia Ecclesia/Ceremonies
The Sanctus is one of MAE's longstanding religious symbols. It is used by the faithful to show their devotion to the Aenil, and is frequently used in clothing, weaponry and heraldry. The Sanctus has also been incorporated into some temples' architectural designs, and a particularly nasty form of execution involves nailing the convicted to a wooden Sanctus. The bold X represents the Aenil's love for mankind, the way in which the Aenil multiply our potential and the conviction with which MAE is defended. Water is another motif often used to represent the Aenil, showing their all pervading nature and the way that they cause life to flourish.
Some hypothesise that the ancient philosophy of Osaido had a large influence upon MAE's early development. This can be seen in the inclusion of the three virtues, Wisdom, Stoicism and Honour, in many traditions. It is said that by adhering to these principles, the faithful can be sure that their intentions are pure, but it is interesting that these virtues are shared with Osaido.
Hierarchy
The male pronoun is used throughout for simplicity, however MAE is an equal opportunity religion.
All positions are based on faith and merit - political titles mean nothing within the temple, just as the Aenil judge men for who they are not what they have after their name.
Church Council
The Prophet is the incarnation or mortal authority of Aenil in this world. As the member of the faith with the strongest connection to the Aenil, as well as (one of) the most learned, he is the final authority on Aenilic matters. The Disciple is one with a direct mentor-mentee relationship with the Prophet, the second closest to the Prophet in understanding of the Aenil and authority in the faith.
With the disappearance of the Prophet, followed by the Disciple's decision to take an extended sabatical, a new formation of the church council was undertaken. In the place of the two men who had guided the MAE for so long, the first Patriarch of the Faith was named. Markus Thurdan, an Aenilian priest was chosen by the Disciple, Luyten Dell, to guide the church upon his departure. Stepping away from the largely redundant system that so closely mirrored the workings of the realms, the Patriarch was to be assisted in his endeavours by a group of Cardinals of the Aenil.
Clergy
Every realm of the faithful has an Auctoritas for that realm, a priest selected as the head of the priesthood for that realm and chosen only from the priests of that realm. If a priest from that realm is unavailable, the position remains vacant until a candidate is found. Priests do not overlap into realms other than their own unless otherwise arranged (such as converting a large number of people as fast as possible, or there are no priests in a realm).
A Surrogate is second to an Auctoritas, a priest with great knowledge in the Aenil and is likely to become an Auctoritas or High Priest one day. A Priest is one that has dedicated all their service to the Aenil and spends their days walking and preaching to nobility and peasantry alike. Chaplains are Priests without a great deal of experience, they work to become a Priest.
High Laity
Deacons are laypeople who have not become clergy but still have good knowledge and high loyalty to the Aenil. While they cannot carry out all the services of a clergyman, they may carry out readings and officiate some services for the faithful. Similarly, Officiants are also laypeople with high loyalty and good knowledge, but not as high as Deacons. A layperson, with study and devotion, may be brought to the high laity if they are willing.
The Guardians of the Faith are individuals chosen to keep watch over the lands in which they reside, ensuring that direct threats to the temples and their followers are dealt with. Each realm counts a single Guardian, often skilled warriors and commanders, although this does not need to be the case. The church often relies on the Guardians to keep an attentive watch over the temples during times of war when rampant looting and increased turnover in rulership often has a negative effect on the church's reach.
Laity
Laity is the largest branch of the faith.
First are the laypeople, those devoted to the Aenil and their teachings. Then follow the Faithful, Observant and Followers, each with their own degree of understanding and observance, but still with the same devotion. Finally the Petitioners, which have not been made full members of the faith but will one day come to join in full. All these come with time and devotion - it is for the person to decide how soon they embrace the Aenil.
Diplomacy
See also: Magna Aenilia Ecclesia/Diplomacy
As a sovereign and independent institution, the diplomacy of MAE is not defined by the diplomacy of the realms which have accepted it as a faith. While there may be overlap, no realm holds dominance over the faith, and the faith does not exercise political judgement or authority over other realms beyond that awarded it by its spiritual presence and authority.
Branches
A small offshoot was formed on the island of Dwilight. It was suspected by many that this was done by the founder of the realm of Verus Luria in a desperate attempt to prevent the destruction of the realm. This branch was not know to have any connection with the religion of the same name on the Far East. The branch rapidly collapsed.
| The Aenil | ||
|---|---|---|
