The Sun and Moon Gods

The Sun and the Moon were worshipped by the people living in the area that became Enbinaar. Queen Merewald I was one such worshipper. When a new religion based on her figure took root (a few centuries after her death), it was at first explained as fitting within the larger belief in the bigger gods.
Although worshippers of the Sun and the Moon tend to acknowledge both gods, people are expected to chose one of them as their main guiding deity and dedicate most of their faith and prayers to them. The Sun and the Moon have distinct temples built with different priests attending to them, but they are always positioned side by side, and in big festivals they hold joint celebrations.
The Sun and the Moon are the gods of creation and preservation, energy and rest, of human warmth and supernatural coldness. The Sun created the world from its heat and gives it energy to thrive. Prophecies have foretold the Sun's arrival in human form when the world is in most need, though nobody seems to agree on what their deity will look like as a human. Some see a man with long hair and beard that shine like sun rays, blindingly beautiful to any mortals that lay eyes on him. Other say the Sun will be a cheerful woman with a dashing smile and hope born out of her fingertips.
The Moon, on the other hand, is tasked with overseeing Sun's work, taking care of it until the next day so that it shall not be lost without its main guiding light. The Moon represent quietness, the well-earned rest after a day of hard work, the peace and tranquillity of a life well-lived. It is foretold that the Moon will descend to the world in human form at the time of its greatest need, though consensus has not been achieved on whether the Moon is a young man with long silvery hair in a flowing dress, or a woman with a stern gaze and infinite patient wisdom.
To the followers of Merewaldism, Queen Merewald I is the child of the Sun and the Moon, cast upon us to guide the chosen ones in the path to greatness. There are two major variants of Merewaldism: Matresolism, which believes the Sun was Queen Merewald I's mother, and Patresolism, which believes the Sun was Queen Merewald I's father. Within Merewaldist circles, the Matresolism/Patresolism duality has replaced the original Sun/Moon duality.

Structure

The Sun and the Moon do not have a centralised authority responsible for developing a set religious doctrine. Instead, each individual church is relatively free to do as they please. The highest authorities are those within each church.
Sun worshippers are guided by the Abbot and their priests. The Abbot is expected to live in the monastery, but priests may choose to have their own accommodation. The Abbot also chooses one priest to become his successor years before their retirement. The chosen priest becomes a High Priest and is also expected to move to the monastery.
Moon worshippers are guided by the Archbishop, who is also expected to live in their cathedral. The Archbishop is aided by ministers, and appoints one of those ministers as their successor a few years before stepping down. The successor is known as bishop and must reside with the Archbishop in the cathedral.

History

One of the oldest pantheons in the world. Belief in the Sun and Moon as deities is older than writing. A few major religions are born from them, including Merewaldism.

Type

Religious, Pantheon