Himsean Faith
The primary faith of the Republic of Himse. While church and state are theoretically separate entities for the elven republic, the state's goals and organizational structure mirror the church (or vice versa) in such a way that it difficult to determine where one ends and the other begins. The Himsean priesthood itself does not maintain a seat on Himse's rulling council, however nothing bare a priest from politics and many are powerful patrons. This is at least officially in contrast to the other major state religions such as those practiced in Yval and Clearia where the church is officially integrated (or some would say) dominant to the state.
The Himsean faith was founded based on the teachings of Himse the Prophet from whom it derives its name. The basic tenants of the faith are a love of light and beauty, and a shunning of all things dark and evil. Far from a simple faith for artists and the vain, it has evolved to be the leading doctrine for one of Sanzeia's major (elven) superpowers, as terms such and good at evil are adapted to the political landscape.
Structure
The organization of the church very closely mirrors that of the lay government, though it is unclear which came first. The Patriarch heads his council of archbishops as a first among equals, and from them religious authority descends down to the lowest of the sun priests.
Mythology & Lore
- The First Elves
- The teachings of Himse
- Exile of the Dark Elves
Divine Origins
Roughly, in the year 2500 BT an elven noble was given a vision by the Sun god, outlining the tenant of a new faith. The prophet turned to the Sun Elves as the only race close enough to perfection to carry this vision forward. It spoke of land of light, beauty, and goodness, where the good and wise would uplift their lessers until all was perfect.
Tenets of Faith
The beliefs derived from the teachings of Himse and built upon by the Himsean Faith at the most basic level outline a continual search for beauty, light, and goodness and a shunning of things that are dark and impure; central to the faith is the concept that the moral on some level knows divine right from wrong, and thus sees good as beautiful and evil as horrid.
Granted Divine Powers
The powers of the Himsean priesthood typically fall within those associated with the domain of light, thus making them a potent augment to the state's already considerable military might. Hismean priests are said to be granted youth and beauty in keeping with their station, but notably do not live longer than any other elves (this is not true of the Moonpriestess of Yval who are of course considered blasphemous witches).
Sects
The faith tolerates all other gods and encourages their worship. Although, with the notable exception of Ulmark, the Worldshaper and The Betrayer (for obvious theological reasons) most gods are given elven expressions such as Presralei and Theodmon.
Founding Date
c. -2500 DR
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Alternative Names
Sun Priests
Leader
Leader Title
Founders
Permeated Organizations
Deities
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
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