The Ardenti Church

The Ardenti Church, sometimes referred to as the cross, is the largest religious order in Eisholle, with approximately a billion blessed Crossian worldwide As the Eisholle's largest continuously functioning institution, The cross has played a prominent role in the history and development of all Sniovian civilization. The cross is headed by the Divine Seeker, known as the magi. Its central administration is the Pyramis.

Structure

Its central administration of The Cross is the Pyramis. There are seven ranks within the Pyramis hierarchy. Ranks:

Magi: The Magic is the head of the church, he/she is based at the Havenburge. The Magi is the final judge in defining matters of faith and morals.
Martins: Martins are appointed by the Magi, make up the College of the Faith. As a body, it advises the Maji and, on his/her death, elects a new Maji.
Archbishops: An archbishop is a bishop of a leader/founder of a congregation of the Ardenti Church.
Bishops: A bishop, like a priest, is ordained to this station. He/she is a teacher of church doctrine, a priest of the sacred flame, and a minister of church government.
Priest: An ordained minister who can administer most of the sacraments. He/She can be with a particular religious order or committed to serving a congregation.
Deacons: A deacon is an Ovium studying for the priesthood.
Ovium: The normal members

Culture

The oldest teaching of the Ardenti Church is the teaching of the three shepherds. The three shepherds were the sons of the first Magi, Abiram. While Abiram wrote the words of god sitting on a high cliff overlooking the fields his sons watched over. As he watched listing the cheeping of martins he noticed that each of his sons had specific jobs while watching over the flock. His eldest son Eli sang as he moved with the flock, his song not only keep the flock together but also brought in those lost in the fields. As Eli guided the flock, the middle child Buz walked through the flock looking for the sick and the injured and the youngest brother Jadon circled the flock keeping an eye for danger. It was by watching them that Abiram wrote the guiding principles of the Ardenti Church, Prosperity, Purity, and Protection.

Public Agenda

The Ardenti Church was created to guide and watch over the innocent, purify and heal the sick and weak, and protect against the wicked. This teaching is known as the three shepherds.

Assets

The Ardenti Church's great besides their vas wealth and military resources is their powerful influence on the nations of Eisholle. Being the largest religion in Eisholle, with around 40 million followers, the Ardenti Church has great swaying power in the political struggles within Eisholle.

History

The Ardenti religion follows the teachings of Abiram Ardenti, who lived and preached around 1000 EoP in the kingdom of Yawna. Ardenti doctrine teaches that The Ardenti Church is the continuation of this older Ardenti community established by Abiram Ardenti religion spread throughout the early Fjordon Empire. King Alexander legalized the practice of Ardenti in 890EoP. It became the state religion in 864EoP. Hackish invaders of Fjordon territory in the 10EoP and 9EoP, eventually adopted Ardentism to ally themselves with the papacy and the monasteries.

In the 1st and 2nd centuries, expanding Kofic conquests following the advent of Saintism led to the Kofic domination of the Central Snio contaminate, driving a rift between the three great kingdoms. This weakened cultural connections between Fjordon and the Hacki Empire, leading to conflicts involving authority in the church. The division split the Cross between In 27EoS, The Magi of Fjodon, and the High Martins of Hacki, forming two separate churches, the Ardenti Church and Abiram Church (Emerald Cross). Later splits within the church occurred after the Council of Martins (Silver Cross) in 115EoS and the Iron Inquisition in 595EoS However, a few Abiram Churches remained in communion with The Ardenti Church in eastern Kofficstain. Portions of some others established a fellowship in the 50EoS century forming The Kofic Ardenti Churches.

Early monasteries throughout Snio helped preserve Fjodon and Hacki civilization. The church eventually became the dominant influence in Sniovian civilization into the atomic age. The Cross sponsored many leaders. The 3rd century, however, began to see challenges its religious authority. The exploration into the islands north of Snio and colonization of Slepheilm, push the influence and resources of the Cross to a breaking point.

In 515, the Havenburge Council annexed the city of Havenburge from the kingdom of Fjordon, forming a new nation. In the 6th century, anti-clerical governments around the Eisholle persecuted or executed thousands of Ovium. In the Slepland-Speunhiem War, the church sided with Speunhiem, offering medical and refuge for those affected by the war.

Mythology & Lore

Ardentian doctrines include the belief that Abiram was able to performed miracles, Ardenti the Christian Church, died by beheading as a sacrifice to appease Nim'Yak. It is said after his followers reattach his head he rose from the dead, before returning celestial gatehouse. Most Ardentians believe Abiram protects people from the waking wrath to Nim'Yak. The Eli testament asserts that his father Abiram is the final judge of the dead, and decides who will be resurrected after the next awaking of Nim'Yak.

Divine Origins

Ardenti religion first started with the teaching Abiram Ardenti. Abiram was a 1000 EoP Yawnish preacher and religious leader, who according to most Ardentians believe, he was blessed by 2nd God, Nim'Yak, transforming him to the first Magi. The great majority of Ardentians worship Abiram as the only and true Harald of Nim'Yak.

Worship

Abiday, the 3rd day is the holiest day of the week and is celebrated with morning communal prayers and evening songs. The birth of Abiram is celebrated annually on Galanthus 20th as holies day in the Ardenti Calander. His beheading is honored on the days of tears, which started on the last moon of Gaujard and ends on the day of his resurrection two weeks after.