Without any doubt, the Great Temple of Blati is one of the most famous religious buildings across Yeia. It is also one of the city's oldest buildings. It has suffered modifications across the centuries, especially after Blati became the religious and political capital of the Blatian world, when it got a new façade and new mosaics and sculptures in its interior.
Origins
As an Ikarian colony (and like it happens with every Oronai city nowadays) Blati had a major temple, initially dedicated to the goddess Tyr, due to the proximity of
Lake Bareotis and its religious ties with the goddess. The local cult of the goddess seemed to have been quite strong. After Blati became the Summer residence of the Ikarian Emperors during the second century BP and the building of the current Imperial palace at the temple's hill just next to the temple , Emperor Tiberius II decided to reconsecrate the temple in honour of the
Pompteiad (the five primordial gods of the
Ikarian Religion .
After the preaching of the Prophet some relics related to him, like a lock of his blond hair or one of the seats from which he used to pray were stored at the temple attracting many pilgrims.
Rise to prominence
The Great temple really became "great" ironically after the demise of the Empire that had founded the city. During the fall of
Ikaria in 460 AP many relics were saved and transported to Blati. Most of these relics were already quite famous, such as Zerah's fan made of craven feathers, the crown of the goddess Tyr, a chryselephantine statue of Abbon Shabai or the robes of the Prophet.
This amount of relics transformed the already famous temple into the most important religious building in the Blatian world. This important had to be reflected on the building. And, from Euthycius I onwards, many Emperors financed the expansion and remodelation of the building. A new façade was built in the 6th century AP with two gigantic towers that could be seen from miles away with subsequent bells made of bronze covered with gold pattern.
New chapels were also built to store the new acquired relics and altars where both priest and the faithful could worship them and make libations.
Structure
The Great temple is divided in three nave, one central and two laterals. The lateral ones are smaller than the central one. Facing East at the bottom of the central nave it is located the main altar and the chryselephantine statue of Abbon Shabai. On top of the altar and always guarded by the temple guards are placed the fan of the goddess Zerah and the robes of the Prophet. They are stored in gold and silver boxes respectively and can be seen by the faithful thanks to small glasses incorporated in those boxes. The statue is flanked by four gigantic green marble columns and behind it are located three gigantic stained-glass windows that reflect the light of the sun inside the building during sunrise.
In the western and eastern naves, you also find small chapels with more statues of the gods and more relics. Each one has an altar where the faithful can do their libations. Some bring their own drinks to the temple to do the libations but wine, milk and honey can be purchase at the entrance of the temple.
In front of the main door of the temple you find the Holy Fountain that according to legend was part of a garden where the goddess Tyr used to spend her free time where she decided to descend from heaven. People use this fountain to purify themselves before entering to the temple; specially for washing their hands and mouth, because Blatians believe that the have to wash their mouths to have their mouth purified in order to recite the prayers to the gods.
Most of the walls of the temple are covered in shinny golden mosaics depicting mythological scenes or episodes related to the life of the Prophet and his disciples. The reflection of the light of the sun and the candles on these mosaics create an otherworldly atmosphere inside the temple.
It sounds like a beautiful building. I really like that it changed over the years as it grew in importance.