Church of the Holy Light (Luminism)
Structure
The Church of the Holy Light is lead by a council of clergyman referred to as the Council of the Chosen. The head of the council is known as the Patriarch. Each Archbishop is assigned a particular geographic area. Under the Archbishops are various bishops followed by priests and then finally acolytes.
Public Agenda
The goals of the Church of the Holy Light are to spread the word and faith of Andrath across the known world.
History
Despite being founded millennia ago at the height of the Second Age the Church of the Holy Light is still the youngest of Halodar's major faiths. It was founded by a group the church refers to as "The Chosen". Since its founding the Church has not gained a significant following any place on Halodar. It's influence has been contained mostly to the continent of Aelliver where it enjoys the largest body of support. The Church has stayed alive largely due to its fanaticism. Throughout its history it has been the perpetrator of several pogroms and inquisitorial style programs in variou parts of Aelliver which has contributed to its unpopularity. It has, however, also garnered support due to its frequent support of military campaigns and charity work.
Overall, the Church has not petered out but not flowered either and most people tend to give members of the faith a wide berth and the Luminist theocracy of Lumene is only visited by necessity by most people of Aelliver.
Divine Origins
Luminism, and by extension the church, was founded by a group now referred to as "the Chosen". Little, if any, actual history remains concerning these individuals. According to Church Doctrine, they were the only pure and righteous people on Halodar when Andrath turned his face toward the world. They purportedly had the Light awakened in their soul and were stirred to worship Andrath and each of them wrote one of the chapters, known as verses of light, contained in the Book of Andrath.
Cosmological Views
The Church of the Holy Light believes that the universe was initially created in total darkness and that it existed in this state for some unspecified amount of time until the arrival of Andrath into the universe. The arrival of Andrath is depicted as coinciding with the founding of the Church sometime during the Second Age. The Church is non-specific about who or what created the universe but the general belief is that it was created by a wicked, corrupting force that Andrath has now banished away. The cosmology is generally depicted of a force of good, Andrath, represented by all that is good and light and pure having banished away all that is bad, depicted and referred to broadly as "the Darkness", represented by magic, darkness, godless faiths, human wickedness, etc.
Tenets of Faith
- Faith - The faith of the Holy Light is the one, true faith in all of Halodar
- Obedience - Obedience to the faith is paramount in all things
- Righteous Fury - No Child of the Light shall brook the Darkness to spread or the tongue of the heretic to wag
- Sacrifice - To sacrifice all, including life, for the Light is the highest calling
- Diligence - Serving the Light is a tireless task from which there should be no rest
- Valor - In order to better spread the word of Andrath, Children of the Light must be prepared to fight valiantly in his name
- Zeal - Service to Andrath must be service of faithful passion, not meek-hearted lip service
Ethics
Luminism, and the extended teachings of the Church of the Holy Light, is a very black and white philosophy. All good things serve to expand the influence of the church and vindicate the teachings of Andrath. Anything that is opposed to those two goals is sinful and wicked. Despite that, the church does teach what might be considered more "common" social goods such as charity and care for those less fortunate though any good work outreach comes with the caveat that the person receiving such goodwill must express a belief in Andrath as the one, true God.
Worship
There are two main services: sunrise and sunset. The faithful are only required to go to one of each per week though the services are offered daily.
At sunrise, the worshippers gather in a church or chapel dedicated to Andrath as the sun rises and they say a collection of prayers thanking Andrath for his protection and guidance as the light of day banishes the darkness of the night. All churches are constructed such that light at sunrise will stream in and fill the sacred space of the church.
At sunset, the service is much the same except that prayers are said asking Andrath to remember His faithful and to not turn his face from the world. Parables are also recounted from the Book of Andrath as a remembrance of the wickedness of man which is what "nighttime" is taken to signify in Luminist theology.
Priesthood
The church is headed by a council which rules from the city of Lumene in the Theocracy of Lumene. The council is made up of 7 co-equal members to represent the original Chosen as depicted in Luminist theology. The head of the council is known as the Patriarch and he is considered a first among equals.
Below the council are various bishops that, in theological terms, are considered co-equal though in reality their power is derived from the size and prominence of their bishopric. Under the bishops are the various priests assigned to parishes that operate a chapel or church dedicated to Andrath.
All clergy undergo a rigorous period of education in the canonical school run by the Church in Lumene. The program is known to last for several years and involve much education in proselytizing and memorization of the tenets and teachings of the faith. While few in number, the rigorous education does ensure that the clergy of the Church of the Holy Light are among the most zealous and knowledgeable clergy.
Granted Divine Powers
The clergy and faith militant of the Church of the Holy Light have powers similar to any other holy clergy within Aelliver.
We are the Light in the Darkness
Founding Date
Circa S.A. 2000
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Alternative Names
Luminism
Demonym
Luminist
Leader
Subsidiary Organizations
Deities
Divines
Location
