Cathedral of the Holy Fount

The Cathedral of the Holy Fount is the seat of the Veronan Primate. In Orromy, it's believed that Neren touched the pond that lies at the center of the cathedral, and a fountain of fresh water sprang forth. The Cathedral is located in Miraguira, a small town just outside of Alavera. Weekly services are held in the cathedral's central hall, and the holy fountain is located just in front of the altar. For major holy days, the cathedral is packed with believers, and an impressive service is held to commemorate Neren's Ascension. The Feast of the Miracle of the Holy Fount is celebrated with a large procession around the church and passing holy water to all attendees. It is a major pilgrimage site for Orromirs who visit the cathedral in search of healing. Several major councils have also been held in the cathedral. It is one of the tallest buildings in the world with the highest spire reaching just over 100 meters and the interior ceiling being 44 meters high.

Architecture

The cathedral is surrounded by a brick wall with the main gate on the west side. Just inside the wall, there's an outer arcade which encircles the cathedral and accompanying garden. The facade contains a large central door with a pointed vaulted arch. Above it, there's a row of stained glass windows with a large circular window. The color and geometry of the windows are only visible from inside the cathedral, though stonework outlines the larger shapes in the window. Peaked spires rise up from the corners of the building, and each spire is tipped in a gold orb representing the sun. Flying buttresses extend from the sides and back of the cathedral, and the exterior space below them is lined with flagstones. South of the cathedral, there's a large garden with planted lemon trees and seasonal flowers. Benches and wooden arches decorate the walkways.
The cathedral's interior layout is rectangular with the Holy Fount at its center. A large dome rises over it with a fresco of Neren's Ascension. Rib vaults add the illusion of height to the rest of the structure. The main room is divided into three aisles by rows of columns. Along the side walls, there are various chapels dedicated to saints. Each chapel has a tray filled with sand for candles, and incense burns continuously before each saint's statue. In between the chapels are benches for people to rest. The central aisle, however, is for standing only. The far eastern wall is curved with tall stained glass windows each depicting one of Neren's miracles. The rest of the space is curtained off with an altar on a raised dais between the curtain and the fountain.

History

Neren passed from Guen towards the city of Faidir as Orrus instructed. On the road, he was stopped by an old farmer carrying a sickly calf. "My crops are withered, and my animals fall dead at my feet. The gods have cursed me, but I have no money to go to the temple and offer this calf as a sacrifice." Neren reached out with his hand and touched the sickly calf. "Take me to your farm. Let me see this blight upon your land." The farmer led him across the empty fields. Crops were dead and withered at their feet, and as they neared the house, the ground was littered with dead cattle, and flies swarmed thick in the air. There was a pond next to the house, and many pigs and cattle lay dead around it. Neren knelt beside the putrid pond and prayed. "Master, Giver of Life, cleanse these waters of taint." Hey dipped both hands into the water, and a great fountain sprang forth from the pond. It flowed with endless pure water, and all who drank of it were healed and restored.

— Neren's Teachings

After the original church burned down in 4018, the church commissioned a well-known architect to design a new cathedral. It took eight years for the construction of the new church to be complete. Only months after the new cathedral opened, the former Primatic seat was destroyed. In 4221, the eastern wall of the cathedral was destroyed by an earthquake, but the damage left the fountain and western half of the building untouched.

Alternative Names

Cattedral di Sankrato Mancidalo di Miraguira, Cattedral Primati di Miraguira

Type

Cathedral / Great temple

Owning Organization

Orromy