Cult of Singers
This article refers to the organisation of the religious group - for more information on how they are experienced in the world, you may want to read this summary or this longer explanation of religious experience
The Cult of Singers are those who have dedicated themselves to praise of the The Creator through sung prayer. They are one of the 18 Cults of the Holy Sanctorum - legitimate expressions of worship of the Creator, which the people of Sammerden join and are associated with.
They also make up one of the 'Big Three' Cults (with the Cult of Prayers and the Cult of Rituals) - these are the mainstays of most people's religion in Sammerden, and the presence of Sanctors/Acolytes from all three is common in most large or moderate religious services. Even in wholly rural areas the traditional Country Sanctor is either a Sanctor or Acolyte in the Cult of Singers, allowing one person to provide full services for the community.
The Cult of Singers has fewer active Devotees than the Cult of Prayers - as active participation requires both singing skill and time to practice. However, most believers welcome the addition of Singers to their worship, and enjoy listening even if they do not participate.
Structure
In common with all Cults of the Sanctorum, the public ministry of the Cult of Singers is divided into three levels: Devotees, Acolytes, and Sanctors.
Devotees are ordinary 'lay' folk with no special religious authority or duties, but who worship through the Cult. (However, people who are Acolytes and Sanctors in other Cults may be Devotees of the Singers and do have religious duties in those Cults - this signifies that, though they have a primary allegiance, they also use the Singers as a form of worship, and membership of multiple Cults is ubiquitous). Devotees will not merely enjoy listening to sacred music, but will also enjoy lifting up their own voice in praise of the Creator and the Blessed. Often, this will be done communally, but a Devotee who knows the sacred songs may recite them privately or with family.
Acolytes are those who have professed more dedicated involvement in the Cult, but still have secular jobs. While Devotees can apply to become Acolytes, given the singing skill needed, there is also a programme of testing and encouraging Devotees who would make good Acolytes. Once professed, an Acolyte may take a number of roles within the Cult - including singing teacher, choral director in services, and soloists in the most prominent performers. Much of the Cult's work is undertaken at the level of Acolyte, with them volunteering to help administration and recruiting of local singers and Devotees.
Sanctors are those consecrated to the service of the Cult of Singers - this is their only or primary job, and they receive a stipend as well as donations from the faithful. Becoming a consecrated Singer-Sanctor does bring some additional religious roles - there are particular sacred songs reserved for Sanctors, and they are much in demand among those seeking to put on the most spectacular religious performances. However, the Singer-Sanctors' roles are more focused on serving the Cult in other ways - they might be sent as itinerant singing teachers to areas without a permanent presence, or to work with the Cult of Writers on the production of new hymnals, chanting books, or other materials. There are also Singer-Sanctors who join other Cults in isolation and meditation, to compose new holy songs of praise to the Creator.
The Singers are organised alongside all other cults - they join a local Sanctorum wherever they reside, and work as part of that. As one of the 'Big Three' there will often be Acolyte Singers or Singer-Sanctors involved in leading the Sanctorum. Within the Cult, each region will have a Council of Singers to oversee the order, reporting to the Grand Council of Singers. In recent decades, there have been moves towards "High Councils" in some Cults - uniting all Councils within one political realm. The Grand Sanctorum Council officially deprecates this practice - and the political control over Cults that leaders get from these "High Councils."
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