Great Temple of Blati
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.
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.
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.
The main entrance to the Great Temple is flanked by two gigantic belltowers. The façade is decorated with mythological scenes depicting Zerah's marriage with Ikaros and the marriage between Abbon Shabai and Tyr. On top of the façade is located a statue depicting Zerah, goddess of Storm and Thunder holding a thunderbolt and threatening to hurl it at the enemies of the Empire. The bells and the belltowers not only have a religious purpose but also a defensive one, because, due to the location of the temple at the acropolis of the city and the height of the towers, an enemy army aproaching the city can be seen from there and the alarm can be sound in case the city is in danger. Above the Imperial Door, the main gate to the Temple there is an inscription that says:
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 purchased at the entrance of the temple. Most of these statues have their pedestals covered with roses and other beautiful flowers donated or placed there by the faithful that visit 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.
There is also an elevated walkway that connects the Imperial Palace with the Great Temple (specifically, with the upper gallery of the eastern aisle, from where the Emperor and his family pray to the gods and observe the ceremonies. This area, reserved for the Rigas and his closest family and courtiers is divided from the rest of the upper gallery by an alabaster pannel, whose doors are protected by the Imperial Guards while the emperor is on the other side.
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, as well as various emperors alongside their families making offerings to the Gods. The reflection of the light of the sun and the candles on these mosaics create an otherworldly atmosphere inside the temple.
Origins
Rise to prominence
Structure
In the name of the Prophet, Blessed be his name, the avatar of Abbon Shabai, the everlasting light, fountain of wisdom and peace, comfort of the weak, saviour of our people and shield against the unbelievers, this temple was erected by our most pious Emperor Eutychius for his protection. May his teachings guide us in our lives.The Great temple is divided in three naves, one central and two laterals. The lateral ones have an upper gallery were the nobles and the Imperial family attend the religious ceremonies performed at the temple. 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. A giant dome, the biggest in the known world, in the middle of the temple is also one of its most well known features, it's the main source of light during the day, and give every visitor the impression that there are not on earth but in the Heavenly Palace of the Gods. This, plus the choirs of priests singing chants during the religious ceremonies give the visitors an even more "other worldly" experience.
by Hagia Sophia
One of the most distinctive features of the building is the circula porphyry stone known as the Omphalion this is the stone where every Emperor of Blati is crowned. This stone has also an important religious significance as the Blatians consider this spot as the center of the world, and the place where life emerged, where the first plants were created by the goddess Tyr. That's the reason why in front of the Omphalion is located a hole with a grate through which libations are poured in honor of the gods. These libations are seen as a tribute to the goddess by the humans in the name of all living creatures.
by Callyxtus
In front of the hole of libations there are five altars, dedicated to the five primordial gods (Abbon Shabai, Tyr, Pyria, Zerah and Van), also known as the Pompteiad . Libations in honor of the gods are performed every week but the most important ones are done during the anniversary of the foundation of the city, the victories of the two sieges of Blati, after military victories and during the Blatian New Year.
Ceremonies performed at the temple
Religious ceremonies are performed almost daily by the High Priest and an special college of priests that are in charge of the ceremonies and rituals at the Great Temple. But the sacrest ones are performed by the Emperor himself or in his presence, such as the Blatian New Year, the anniversary of the foundation of the city or during the festival of the Prophet, in which where he recalls the interview he had with Emperor Aurelian V as well as his death and his subsequent revelation to his followers of who he really was, the avatar of Abbon Shabai himself. and the Zerahia, the festival in honor the goddess Zerah and divine mother of all the Blatians.
During these ceremonies the Emperor himself and the High Priest perform the sacrest of all libations (with honey and milk). And, as footnote in terms of protocol, no one, not even the Emperor is allowed to wear any type of headwear inside the building, whatever the circumstances. It also at these festivals were the statues and wooden icons of the gods are carried in procession from the Acropolis to the main streets of the city.
It sounds like a beautiful building. I really like that it changed over the years as it grew in importance.