Dievaism (dā-vē-izəm)

The New Religion

EXPOSITION

The Worship of an all-powerful, omnipotent creator, known as the Skyfather, or his more sacred and less spoken name Dievas, is a rather new, and traditional, religious practice in Vladean culture. Taking roots from the history of religious practices when the Vlades would worship Sud, the god of gods, known now as the Old Religion, Dievaism proclaims that Sud, who spoke to their first king, Vlastimir, is another name for the first song of Dievas, Udar. This is interpreted because Sud simply means judge, and Udar acts as the Judge to Dievas in Dievaism. Being an ambassador of man, to Dievas, Udar is often referred to romantically, or in grander as Sud. It was Udar, the Judge, who convinced Dievas to create man, it was Udar who has convinced Dievas to protect man from Dievas counterpart, Veles, the Father of Deceit. While Veles in the old religion plays an antagonistic role, he is not seen as an evil god, as depicted in Dievaism.
Udar plays a savior like role for Dievas, and without his inference, it is believed that man would not have ever been created. In this way, Dievaism practitioners pray to the Skyfather, Dievas, through Udar. In other words, they believe they pray to Udar, and he relays the message to his father, Dievas.
Dievaism believes that the Erde was created by the colliding of the stars, and that this event marks the creation of man, the first flesh of the earth. Dievaism, much like practitioners of the Old Religion, believe that Vlastimir, the vessel of Udar, killed Sov who was a mortal incarnation of Veles. Dievaism teaches that the fateful battle is bound to take place again, and that it has a cyclical nature, taking place every millennium. After the final cycle, it is believed that Udar will rise into the heavens and take all his believers with him into the afterlife, Prav. After Udar's ascension, Erde will be destroyed and Dievas will create a new world.
While there are other deities involved in Dievaism, they are not worshiped with the same reverence or zeal as the Skyfather. Even Udar, the hero of this religion, is seen as the messenger, or advocate between the Skyfather and man. Prayers are offered directly to the Skyfather, and Udar is said to hear the message and pass it along. All worship is directed towards the God of Gods, and not so much towards the other gods. While they may not be directly worshipped, the sons of Dievas are revered, and respected.

AFTERLIFE

• Prav. Prav is the paradise, or heavenly realm of Dievaism, it is believed that those who believe, practice and perfect Dievaism are permitted into Prav. The virtuous must be mastered and the sins forsaken. They believe they will meet Udar, at a gate, much like a castle, that surrounds Prav, and be judged before they are allowed to enter. Though some believe that Perknun (another deity) is specifically called to watch over the gate. It is not generally accepted that other creatures other than man can make it to Prav and doctrine is often discussed about half-breeds, which tends to be the most contentious topic. Within Prav, it is believed there will be endless feasting, and when called upon, they holy men of Dievas will be permitted to slay the wicked at the end of days in glorious battle. It is believed that after their victory over Erde and Navad, that the righteous will become gods during the next creation, serving under Dievas.

• Navad. The closest thing there is to an afterlife of torment and punishment is Navad. Within the realm of Navad, the God Veles will dwell, tormenting his victims until the end of days when Erde will be destroyed. After Erde’s destruction, Dievas himself will destroy Navad and its inhabitants, leaving only Veles to survive until the next cycle.

HISTORY

This is a brief overview of the founding and history of Dievaism. 

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FOUNDING
The founding of Dievaism happens by a priest of the Old Religion, by the name of Hovorca. Hovorca was a high priest and practitioner of the Old Religion, when he saw a vision from the god Sud, named Udar. Udar gave Hovorca instructions on how to form his church, and denounced the Old Religion, naming much of their beliefs as "...old, foolish, ways; ways and traditions to be done away with." As such, Dievaism is believed to be a fulfillment of law, or prophecy, by Udar.

"Hovorca, my humble servant, being of the ten High Priest of my Old Religion, I give unto you a new charge. Go, take unto me followers, and correct the false teachings of men. They worship me, but have forgotten our father, Dievas. It was Dievas who created man, it was he, the Skyfather. In ten day's time, I shall reveal myself again." - Excerpt from "The Attestations of Dieva"

Founding Date

CE 1

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Alternative Names

The New Religion

Predecessor Organization

• The Old Religion

Demonym

Dievses (dā-vē-es)

Ruling Organization

Dievaism