Church of Helios
"Take here this golden coin of the sun, and here, this silver coin of the moon. Silver and gold, held below the midday sun, with equipoise; reveal the Genesis of Helios to shine upon us."
Structure
The archdeaconate of the Church of Helios is broken down into a tiered system of officiants who each participate in a specific function of the church.
At the head of the Church is The Benefactor, a mysterious individual known only to the highest orders of the clergy. This individual is said to change every four to eight years and is often described as an anonymous merchant whose compassion for the church is so great that they prefer to remain unknown out of modesty. Primarily the Benefactor's only goal is to fund the church so that it can continue it's welfare programs and charity services that the church is well known for.
Beneath the Benefactor are the five Archecaritas, heads of each of the cathedrals located in each of Aristolia's major cities. They are responsible for the administrative duties of the church, guiding the clergy, and maintaining tithings to the church. The Archecaritas are responsible for convening in private every four to eight years to select a new Benefactor. In addition to the Archecaritas, The Helosguard is responsible for the security of these well respected clergymen. They operate at the order of the Trade Princes to protect the citizens of Aristolia and those who travel their lands.
Beneath the Archecaritas, the Merchancaritas are the speakers to the masses, they lead the faithful in worship to Helios from the Capital Text, the holy book of the Church of Helios. They resolve disputes handled by the church such as disagreements within the clergy, dealing with excommunications, and arguments between members of the faithful.
Working for the Merchancaritas are the Almsgivers, individuals within the church who run its many welfare programs giving aid to those in need, operating charity services throughout Ardras, and handing out free copies of the Capital Text. They are often itenerant and spread the good word of Helios throughout the land. They tend to be especially well to do with plenty of income they recieve from the church for their services, however they tend to dress incredibly humble attire, with little more than a walking stick and plain white gown with iconography of the church.
Operating in tandem with the Almsgivers are the Tithingers, they travel itenerantly collecting wares and donations from people in the city streets. Each Tithinger is responsible for collecting a quota of gold each month from members of the church. Tithingers carry with them the ledgers of the church, recording the financial standing of their members and expected dues. Failure to collect risks excommunication from the church under suspicion of embezzlement.
Lastly, operating in tandem with the Merchant's Guild are the lowest tier of the clergy, the Merchant Deacons. These members of the Merchants Guild are given special privledges within the church, such as exemptions from tithings, close connection with the clergy, and other exclusive benefits. They are responsible for tithings on behalf of businesses which they represent.
Mythology & Lore
An Aristolian Neo-Classical era architecture churches of great influence within the nation of Aristolia which works hand in hand with the Merchant's Guild to establish power and dominance throughout the lands of Ardras. It operates on a tithing/ service system that helps develop community ties through a master-servant relationship between affluent members of Aristolian society and those of the lower classes, providing an opportunity for anybody in Aristolia's egalitarian meritocracy to prosper, so long as their loyalties remain to the church of course.
Cosmological Views
The White Light of Helios was granted to mankind by the god Helios, the first Merchant King. From Helios sprang the grass of the earth, and the waters of the ocean. Helios said unto his followers; "Take here this golden coin of the sun, and here, this silver coin of the moon. Silver and gold, held below the midday sun, with equipoise; reveal the Genesis of Helios to shine upon us." The followers of Helios would become the Trade Princes, who each serve Helios to bring Us closer to Him. The Trade Princes house the Churches of Helios; the temples to his prosperity. From the temples of Helios, his prosperity spreads forth through his Ministry. The Trade Princes learn from the Capital Text, the holy book of the Church of Helios. Read from this and you will understand the Way of Helios. Then Helios created the first men, tokage, and fervorians. To each he gave a coin. To the Fervorians he gifted the Genesii. A platinum coin of great importance. To the Humans he gifted the Archae. A golden coin of prosperity. And to the Tokage he gifted the Draegis. A silver coin of the worlds between worlds. "With these three coins exchange and prosper. Live now and remember the worth of the living metal. Remember my words when you look upon the inscriptions. Imagine the prosperous future in front of you. Center yourself in the now and live my WISDOM." Then Helios rose the first city, the City of Man; Mandas. From here the first cathedral to Helios was crafted by the finest Fervorian hearts and ornately decorated by the greatest of Tokage minds and its clergy were assembled of the kindest Human souls. "Remember my WISDOM; To each lend a hand to the other, for you cannot make gold without silver and you cannot make silver without gold. To those with gold offer the man with silver a lending hand. To those with silver offer the man with gold your greatest work. Only together can you make Genesis." Then as Helios departed, he whispered one last secret into the ears of his Trade Princes, upon this secret they pray upon and convene to discuss. This is the Secret of the Light. Study the Capital Text and seek its WISDOM. It is Here.
Glory to Helios.
The primary faith of Aristolians, who hold the angelic figure of Helios at the core of their religion, with a wealthy class of clergymen. Praise Helios.
Type
Religious, Archidiaconate
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