Zohdes' Grand Cathedral 'Aeteperon'
Zohdes' Grand Sanctum Cathedral 'Aeteperon' of Saint Mardeiym Valvyre - also known as Zohdes' Beacon, Sanctum of Order, Grand Cathedral of St. Valvyre or simply Aeteperon - is a colossal palace of worship, dedicated to Zohdes, the god of order within the Jubixian Pantheon. It is also the Cathedral of the Diocese of Ubos for Zhodes and therefore houses the seat of both Zhodes' Metropolitan Archbishop of Aodios and Zhodes' Primate, usually both are occupied by the same person, though there have been exceptions.
Since the Cathedral is home to the seat of Zhodes' highest ranking bishop it naturally holds great importance to the Nefadric people and especially to worshipers of Zhodes.
Contents
Work in Progress
Purpose / Function
Aeteperon is one of many (though, it is among the largest) decadent ecclesiastical structures within the Nefadric Empire to ensure the unquestionable dominance of the Jubixian Pantheon.
Obviously the Grand Cathedral serves as a building of worship. It has a liturgical function in offering three church services every day and offers a meeting place for anyone of the Jubixian Faith.
Another function the Grand Cathedral of St. Valvyre fulfills is the administration of the Dioceses.
Since 896 AR the bells not only announce that a church service is about to commence, but also tell the time of day.
Alterations
In 896 AR the crossing tower is converted to a clock tower. The eight bells the Tower had are removed to accommodate the machinery that is required to power the four (one on each face of the tower) clocks. The complex machinery is even able to ring the bells automatically.
To honor the devotion of Zhodes' first Primate, Naram Seluku ordered floating garden platforms to be suspended above the plaza in front of Aeteperon, which was realized in 1209 AR
Architecture
The Grand Sanctum Cathedral 'Aeteperon' is a vulgar display of wealth, competing directly with the personal holdings of the Nefadric aristocracy, frankly, only a few Lords can boast to own a structure remotely so beautiful or architecturally advanced as the Sanctum of Order.
One glance at the towering magnificence of Aeteperon is enough to suggest to many that the church of Zhodes has chosen the house of God itself to be its beacon of irrefutable power and enlightenment, as its glorious basilicas can already be spotted while on the journey to Adios.
Features
Vaults
With more than three-thousand carved bosses, forming an intricate fan vaulting, Aeteperon has one of the most complex and elaborate vaults. Due to the great dimensions of the vault, it was found necessary to introduce transverse ribs, which were required to give the strength to actually be able to support a roof of the required size.
Every single rib of the vault has been gold plated to show of the churches greatness, wealth and influence. Between the ribs the celling is masterfully painted to tell the tale of Zhodes' final crusade before his ascension to godhood under Jubix.
Dome
From the inside the dome is decorated to resemble a night sky, ridden with stars ranging from faint to brightly sparkling. The actual effect is accomplished by illusionary magic. Another magical element of the dome is a dark mist that falls within the sphere of the dome. The mist is similar to fine powdery snowflakes, though it vanishes in the middle of the air, never reaching the carpeted marble floor.
The dome is to honor Jubix and is supposed to match the appearance of his divine realm. Within the Nefadric belief system the dome serves as a harbor or gate, that allows for a stronger connection to the divine (Note: Not Jubix directly), as any god of the Jubxian Pantheon could potential watch from there. For that reason the dome is sometimes called 'The Eye of the Divine'.
Floating Garden Platforms
Above the Plaza in front of Aeteperon a total of sixteen splendorous floating garden platforms have been magically suspended. These were a gift from Naram Seluku to the Church of Zhodes to mourn the death of Zhodes' first Primate. This is a unique feature of the Grand Cathedral of St. Valvyre, since no other structure of Aodios, except for exclusive the flying rings, is adorned by flying decoration and is a huge honor for the Church of Zhodes.
Defences
Soild Structure
Aeteperon has been built with the militaristic Nefadric mindset and is very resistant to sieges. It's walls are double layered brick and mortar walls, with a layer of gravel inbetween and reinforced by thick steel rods. Additionaly holy symbols of the Jubixian Pantheon ward the Cathedral from other worldly threats and from the influence of other gods. Finally the priest of Zhodes have managed to conjure an extremely strong divine shield that further protect the Sanctum of Order from damage.
Temple Guard
Among the worshipers of Zhodes, disciple is a virtue and the protection of ones home an ideal, thus many of the professional city guard are followers of Zhodes. Though the elite is commanded to fill the well respected role as sentinels of Zhodes' Tempels. The Sentinels are well equipped since they are funded by the generous tithes and full coffers of the Church of Zhodes. The same goes for combat ability, the Sentinels are very well trained and have access to well maintained church owned training grounds. Many Sentinels also have backgrounds in the military or similar professions.Secured
History
421 AR
Aeteperon was commissioned by Zhodes' Primate the planning of the Cathedral started.465 AR
Construction of the Grand Sanctum Cathedral has begun.583 AR
Zohdes' Grand Sanctum Cathedral 'Aeteperon' is completed and consecrated with dedication to Saint Mardeiym Valvyre by Zhodes' Primate.896 AR
The crossing tower is converted to a clock tower. The eight bells of the tower are removed to make space to fit the machinery of large clocks that have been mounted on the tower.1209 AR
The Floating Garden Platforms are constructed and suspended above the plaza in front of the Cathedral. They are a gift from Naram Seluku to the Church of Zhodes to honnor Zhodes' first Primate.Aeteperon
Empire
Denomination
Jubixian Supremacy
Tradition
Zhodes' Order
History
Status
Sanctum, Cathedral
Dedication
St. Mardeiym Valvyre
Consecrated
583 AR
Architecture
Architect(s)
Unknown
Architectural type
Cathedral
Style
Ecclestial High Nefadric
Groundbreaking
465 AR
Completed
896 AR
Specifications
Length
165 meters
Width
120 meters
Number of towers
5
Tower height
90 meters (crossing)
Number of spires
3
Spire height
170 meters (crossing tower)
Bells
32 (spread over four towers)
(Originaly 40, spread over five towers)
Materials
Marble, granite, steel and cement
Administration
Diocese
Aodios (Zhodes)
Ecclesiastical province
Ubos (Zhodes)
For me, the reason why people go to a mountaintop or go to the edge of the ocean is to look at something larger than themselves. That feeling of awe, of going to a cathedral, it's all about feeling lost in something bigger than oneself. To me, that's the definition of spectacle.
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