Fellowship of St. Militsa

While St. Borna is often associated with divine healing, St. Militsa is associated with medical treatment and alchemical research. The Fellowship, in fact, began during the saint's lifetime in the late-7th century, originally constituting of semi-educated members of the vjerni who dedicated their lives to medical progress under the guidance of Militsa. An aging member of the vjerni herself--and an ambitious alchemist--Militsa started the community in Aldrecht with a mission to bring basic healthcare to impoverished urban communities and to normalize non-religious holistic healing practices. These "fellowships" effectively became the Empire's first

hospitals, at least those based on research rather than prayer. Militsa was ultimately tried by the state for heresy and died in prison before she could be sentenced. Her popularity among the poor quickly propelled her to martyrdom, and she was officially canonized by the Holy Church within 30 years of her death. Today, Fellowships of St. Militsa can be found in all Imperial cities, most large towns, and occasionally at rural outposts where war-torn or disease-ridden populations once required their services. Most urban Fellowships are heavily endorsed by their local merchant-elites, allowing for their services to remain cost-free for their poorest patients.

Type

Research, Medical