General Assembly
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The Holy Byzantine Empire of Eskvor.
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The Vedul Temple
Vedulism is a panentheistic and henotheistic religion with multiple Cosmic Deities or gods and lesser beings called High Sacreds (demi-gods/saints/incorporated gods); each with three or four lesser Sacreds, who are all aspects of that High Sacred. All Sacreds are appointed posthumously by the Holy Emperor or by the Vedul Council of Pontiffs and the Pontifex Maximus, while gods are revealed or incorporated. The religion mostly revolves around spirituality, worship, tradition, sacred texts, and appeasing the Sacreds, gods, nature deities, ancestors, spirits, and keeping true to ones Duties and Leaders. Vedulism came about from the many Pre-Imperial rituals and beliefs of the Eternal People, and their adaptations after the Empire was founded. The ultimate goal for the faithful is to reach Letzruhe and to bring glory to the Divine, to their Ancestors, to their People, and to spread the sacred hand of the faith to all corners of the world to include through the prophesized Great Crusade. Teachings are passed down through the Book of Scan, a collection of oral traditions that have been written down by the Clergy or by Divine individuals, and other texts, which have been written by historical persons.
Vedulist worship mostly consists of prayer, offerings, sacrifices (through the bounds of NS), music, art making, and also vocal or written recitation. Divine interaction is very commonplace in Vedulism, as it is the basis of the religion itself. Depending on the individual Shrine and Deity, one must act in an according manner to appease their Divine Patron. Generally, one must be honest, respectful, devoted, while others may have a controlled level of pride, but not actively dishonest, complete selfishness, nor commit acts of treason. Those who do not practice Vedulism are often seen as misguided or lacking in the fullness of divination.
Vedulist art forms include storytelling, poetry, art, chanting, and recitation. Liturgical colors depend on the patron deity. Holy celebrations include rituals through the Temples, music, writings, days of rest, veneration of Ancestors, Leaders (most importantly Lord Scan).
Coming-of-age rites include, choosing a Patron and publicly declaring beliefs.
Marriage is allowed and is done by a Priest or higher, but both partners, a male and a women, must be evaluated by the clergy for proper adherence to the Faith. Including the keeping of Sacred Traditions and the staying away from Degenerate behavior and actions.
Annulments are also allowed in Vedulism. Those individuals must bring about their reasons to a High Priest and he will deny or permit this action.
Death Rites (CTEing) may last up to three days. These three days are the Days of Judgement, where Desolous and Shadar decide the dead individual's place in the spiritual world depending on their devotion to their Patron, their Duties, and to Yahel. So he/she whether they ascend to Letzruhe or descend into the abyss of Erebune.
The functions of the Vedulist clergy are to perform rituals, teach, bless, maintain the lexicon of the Vedulic (and Reichsprechen) language, and act as ambassadors to the divine.
Clerics are encouraged to mark themselves with the symbols of the Faith (On Flags) to help show their spiritual devotion and societal status.
I. Vedulism is the official state religion of KAISERREICH and the entire Greater Empire.
II. The Vedul Ecclesiarchy is lead by the Pontifex Maximus, the highest elected religious official, only below His Imperial Majesty.
- IIa. The Pontifex Maximus is elected for life by the Vedul Council.
- IIb. The Pontifex Maximus may only be removed by the sacred Kaiser or 2/3rd's of the Vedul Council.
- IIc. The Pontifex Maximus is the Supreme Judge of the Vedul Tribunal.
- IId. He has a right to veto laws of the Vedul Council and to promote members into the clergy.
III. The Vedul Council consists of the Pontifex Maximus and the Pontifs
- IIIa. The Vedul Council votes on new laws that govern the religious life of the citizens in Kaiserreich.
- IIIb. The Pontifs are required to oversee additions and are able to suggest laws.
IV. The Vedul Ecclesiarchy utilizes the ranks of the Pontifex Maximus, the Pontifex (Pontif), the Priester (Priest), the Mönch (Monk) and the Akolyth (Acolyte).
V. The Vedul Temple is structured in Magisteriums.
- Va. The Magisterium of Doctrines is responsible for converting citizens and publishing pro-Vedulist propaganda.
- Vb. The Magisterium of Rituals and Practices is responsible for creating propaganda, maintaining the Vedul calendar and traditions and completing the revelations of the faith.
VI. The Vedul Tribunal is the sacred court of the faith.
- VIa. The Tribunal is responsible to stop laws, that violate religious customs and to punish members, who violate against religous customs.
- VIb. Only clergy members with the rank monk or higher may become Judges in the court.
The Pontifex Maximus
- Head of the High Priests and Vedul Council. Reviews what High Priests and the Council adds, canonizes, etcetera. Highest rank in Vedulism, below only Lord Scan.
- Suggests laws and has a veto against the Vedul Council.
The Pontifex (Pontif)Perform all acts of the Priests, but act as heads of the Faith who oversee additions, canonizations, deification, and reviewing of heresy or religious crimes. They further head Temples in varying regions across the world, though more than one High Priest may head a Temple.
Suggests laws and has a veto against the Vedul Council.
The Priester (Priest)Perform important rituals, blessings, marriages, penances, sermons, and funerals. They also perform the daily duties and traditions, such as writing passages for the Book of Vedul to be reviewed by the High Priests. Priests also assist High Priests in maintaining the faith, evangelizing, interpreting the will of the divine. Must have spent time as an Acolyte in order to become a Priest, and must pass an exam then be blessed by a High Priest.
The Mönch (Monk)Individuals who are devoted to a specific Sacred, a Divinity, etc. or all of them while living out a specific lifestyle related to their patron(s). Hermetic, Warriors in Faith, Missionaries, Religious art/song Creators, or even undertaking ordinary normal jobs that aren't religious, yet follow the tenets of their patron(s), etc. They require time as an Acolyte and after they feel they are full in faith they are allowed to become a Monk, upon consent of their High Priest. Monks may go off and become priests later in life if they pass the requirements, but one does not need to be a monk to be a Priest.
A monk is able to become a Judge of the Vedul Tribunal.
The Akolyth (Acolyte)Those that desire to be within the Holy Clergy must start at this rank. They must take an oath as an initiate and learn about the workings of the faith in order to become a Priest or Monk. They also act as servants and assistants to both the Priests and High Priests. Must have consent and blessing of their High Priest to be appointed.
May perform higher tasks with approval of the Vedul Council.
The Magisterium of Doctrines
- The Mag. of Doctrines protects the faith against its enemies. The Magisterium converts to spread the religion and reduces heresy.
- Jobs:
Position | Employment | Description | Vacancy |
Missionary | Main Job | Every faith need people who help spread the faith. As a Missionary in the Magisterium of Doctrines, you will be responsible for converting people to our imperial faith. Your tasks are creating campaigns to get more members and contacting individuals from Kaiserreich and other regions to convert them to Vedulism. | Open |
Inquisitor | Main Job | Our faith needs to be protected, as the regional culture and the empire depend on it. However, heresy is a huge problem on NationStates, and we need you to help eliminate the issue. As an Inquisitor, you report individuals and regions who seek another path than our gods to the Vedul Council. | Open |
Tribunal in the Vedul Tribunal | Side Job | As a Judge in our court, you will be a part of trials against heretics in our empire, and you will also write new legislations for the Vedul Council that may be proposed in our sacred Reichstag. | Open |
The Magisterium of Rituals and Practices Position Employment Description Vacancy Artist Side Job Propaganda is an important tool to get more members for our faith. As an Artist, you create propaganda for our temple and help us increase the number of members with your skill to design works of art. Open Calendar/Holiday Preserver Side Job Every faith has holidays and feasts. Your task is to remind us, if a feast is coming soon. In addition, you may help us create some new holidays. Open Scribe Main Job Our revelations are a key to understand the will of the gods. As a scribe, you use your skill to write more revelations, stories and other texts to complement our collection of sacred scriptures. You have the chance to write something about your favourite god or prophet. Open Ritual Master Main Job Like many other faiths, we have prayer and we need individuals, who are able to write prayers. Your task is to hold prayers in front of the public and write new ones. ClosedThe Mag. of Rituals and Practices preserves the culture and events of the faith. The Magisterium also complements old stories and revelations, in addition also paints works of art for the faith.
Jobs:
Word | Synonym | |
Letzruhe | Heaven | |
Erebune | Land of never ending fires | |
Metrïm | Universe; Mortal Realm | |
Pyxis | Void |
