Sanctism

The Community of the Consecrated

Sanctism (/ˈsæŋk .tɪz əm/) is a dualist religion and saolbealach, widely practiced throughout Heremonia, as well as in certain areas of Heberia. Claiming a historical tradition that spans nearly two thousand years, Sanctism is the world's largest religion, with over two billion adherents, known formally as "the Community of the Consecrated," but commonly called "Sanctists." Although initially persecuted, since attaining widespread popular as well as official acceptance in the second century, the Sanctist Church has been the primary spiritual influence upon nearly every aspect of the history of the Western World.

As a distinct and unified body, the Community of the Consecrated is the world's oldest continuously functioning international institution. Encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices, the faith is largely based upon original teachings attributed to "The Four Masters” known to history as St. Archibald, St. Caspius, St. Hilaire, and St. Mogue the Elder. There is also a rich canon of resulting interpreted philosophies, as developed by subsequently recognized "Saints" of the "Age of Inspiration" (roughly 77 CA – 364 CA).

In light of Sanctism's longstanding influential place in world affairs, some knowledge of its beliefs, structures, practices, and history is a fundamental component of cultural literacy in the West. The entire history of the Middle Age is virtually incomprehensible without reference to the influence of Sanctism. Without a basic understanding of Sanctism, a true appreciation of the great works of Western philosophy, literature and music is unattainable. One cannot make intellectual sense of the works of St. Timothy Bronntanás, or literary sense of Constanté’s allegorical Comedy of Talamhbeo, without connecting them to their religious roots. And many of the musical works of such masters as Bock, Heinried, Mostrich and Brotofen take on even deeper meaning when their Sanctist inspirations and influences are recognized and understood.

Etymology:

The exonym "Sanctist" is derived from the word "saint," a title of honor bestowed upon church leaders during the founding years of the faith. The title "saint" is in turn derived from the Old Kiltic root "saint-" meaning "special, particular, specific" and was used to set the early church leaders apart from their new and growing congregation.

Theology:

Main article: Sanctist Theology

Sanctism developed in response to the ancient Kiltic pagan tradition out of which it grew. The earliest Sanctist philosophers reduced the forces of the many gods of the Kiltic pantheon to two fundamental "Principles," from which they developed their new dualist doctrine of the conflict between spiritual goodness and physical evil. The core beliefs of the Community of the Consecrated are contained within the "Confession of the Saints,"¹ first formulated at the Council of Naus in 211 CA.

Sanctism teaches that to attain salvation and return to spiritual unity with the Good God in Talamhbeo, one must renounce the material self completely, and live a life dedicated to the service of others. Unless prepared to do so, one is condemned to live in the corrupt material world, stuck in an endless cycle of reincarnation. Sanctists believe in a Day of Judgment that will come when the number of Consecrated Men and Women in the world will equal the number of non-believers. On that day all living Sanctists will be Perfected and will shed their material bodies and ascend to Talamhbeo, while non-believers will be consumed with their material world by a lake of eternal fire.

Sanctists have but one sacramental rite, the Lámhleagan or Laying of Hands, a brief spiritual ceremony to remove sin and impart grace, and in special instances to induct the recipient into the next higher level of spiritual commitment. Sanctists strictly adhere to the doctrine of Comharbas Aspalda (Apostolic Succession), whereby the ministry of the Ecclesial Community is held to be derived directly from the Four Masters by a continuous succession of Lámhleagain through the generations.

The sacred texts of the Sanctists are Leabhar a dó Prionsabala (The Book of the Two Principles), Leabhar Comaoin Míorúilteach (The Book of the Miraculous Communion) and the Saola Naomha (Lives of the Saints), as well as to a lesser and more regional degree the theological writings of the Saints of the Age of Inspiration.

History:

Main article: History of Sanctism

Sanctism originated in ancient Érevon during the Late Mílesean Age. According to official church Tradition,² the Faith was revealed to four holy men known as "the Four Masters" during the reign of Emperor Eochu Airem, and the modern Sanctist Church is the continuation of the Community of the Consecrated established by those "First Saints" and their disciples in the first century CA. The Church's leadership are considered to be the successors of the Early Saints. Likewise, the Ardcoarb of Sancta Cedes is recognized as the supreme authority over the Church by virtue of his direct sacramental succession from Saint Dáire, who assumed leadership of the Community of the Consecrated upon the martyrdom of the Four Masters at the hands of Emperor Elim mac Conrach in 42 CA.³

The initial period of relative toleration within the Mílesean Empire was followed by over a century of severe official and popular persecution of the new religion, forcing many of the faithful community to flee beyond the reach of the Emperor's law. Despite the hardships of official oppression, Sanctism's hopeful message of redemption from the hardships of material existence continued to gather new converts to the faith. The Edict of Meánleathan, issued by Emperor Amalgaid macÉndai in 187, formally ended the official suppression of the faith, by legalizing the Sanctist Church within the Empire.

During the second century, a series of eleven Plenary Convocations...
To be continued...

For a timeline of Sanctist History see:

History of the Sanctist Church

Structure:

At the time of its inception, The Community of the Consecrated had a relatively flat structure, distinguishing only between the Choiscthe ("Consecrated"), and the Foirfeachta ("Perfected"), who were originally led by the Four Masters and later by their direct Disciples, beginning with St. Dáire. By about 43 CA, the outlines of a formal liturgy and a system of doctrine, as well as a more sophisticated administrative structure, were beginning to emerge.

Though the term Sanctist has been used to identify the community for centuries, adherents refer to themselves and each other as Fireile (“Fellow Man”) and Bheaneile (“Fellow Woman”) or Firmaith (“Good Man”) and Bheanmhaith (“Good Woman”), depending upon whether they have been “Perfected” in the faith or not. All adherents to the Sanctist religion are members of the Comaoineach Dílisach, or "Communion of the Faithful," which constitutes the body of the organization. They are led by an episcopal polity consisting of clergy drawn from the Foirfeachta, who are tasked with stewardship and governance of the church.

As the Community grew and spread throughout Heremonia and beyond, it became necessary to create a governing structure consisting of a number of bishoprics, or easpagraic, the first established in Sancta Cedes in 44 CA. By 131, sixteen easpagraic, each headed by a Coarb selected from among the Foirfeachta, were in existence. There are currently 2,973 easpagraic and ardeaspagraic throughout the world.

Each Coarb is supported by two assistants, called Erenaigh, potential successors who are in turn supported by Deagánaich, or Deacons. The Foirfeachta are the spiritual elite, highly respected in their communities, leading a life of austerity, celibacy and charity. They minister to the people and travel only and always in pairs.

In addition to the Episcopal structure of the church, there are also strong monastic and eremitic traditions within the organization of the Sanctist community. Many Sanctists see the lives of the Monk and the Hermit as ways to renounce worldly pursuits and remove themselves from secular temptations, in order to devote themselves to spiritual work.

Mythology and Lore:

Mythological and allegorical elements can be found throughout the sacred narratives of Sanctist literature. The accepted canon includes numerous recurring literary motifs including ascent of mountains, descent into caves, natural disasters and plagues, as well as tales of great battles and extreme self-sacrifice, and great heroes of the past.

Sanctist traditions also include an extensive body of tales which are not found in the orthodox canon, but which nevertheless illustrate and expound upon Sanctist themes. Sometimes referred to as the Sanctist Mythology, these non-canonical writings include legends, folktales and detailed elaborations upon canonical scripture.

Public Agenda:

Sanctist teaching seeks to elevate the spiritual integrity of the human person by suppressing physical desires and promoting a high moral standard of behavior. Sanctist social teaching places a heavy emphasis upon performing works of corporal and spiritual mercy during one's lifetime. Sanctists are obligated to support and care for the sick, the poor and the afflicted, and to promote social justice by upholding the rights and dignity of those who labor. The church also encourages responsible stewardship of the natural environment, and denounces all forms of environmental degradation.

In addition to its moral teachings, the Community of the Consecrated is also the largest non-governmental provider of healthcare and educational services in the world. A Council of Nations report issued in 1980 found that the Sanctist Church manages over 21% of the world's healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, orphanages, homes for the aged and leper communities. The church also oversees the largest non-governmental school system in the world, operating and sponsoring thousands of primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities throughout the world. In addition to providing health care and education around the world, the Sanctist Community also actively engages in international aid and development, refugee aid and local community assistance by sponsoring such international organizations as International Sanctist Charities, Sanctist World Relief Services, The St. Alastar Refugee Project and the St. Uinsean de Pól Society.

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¹ Also known as the "Nausian Creed."
² "The Sacred Tradition" is a theological term used to describe a constituent element of the doctrinal and spiritual authority of the Church. Sanctists believe that the revelations of the Saints were preserved and passed on through the generations, not only in the Scriptures, but also by word-of-mouth and practice.
³ This event signaled the beginning of a 145 year period of persecution known as the Great Oppression.

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The Sanctist Religion

The Crossed Crosslets
^{Emblem of the Sanctist Religion}

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Founding Date:

Dedama, 31 Lunis 27 CA

Demonym:

Sanctist/Sanctists

Organization Type:

Religious/Organized Religion

Classification:

Duotheistic

Deities:

Rían Flaithis
^{(“King of Heaven”)}
Rían Domhan
^{(“King of the World”)}

Scripture:

The Book of the Two Principles
The Book of the Miraculous Communion
The Lives of the Saints

Theology:

The Saolbealach

Sacraments:

Lámhleagan Coisreachan
^{(Handlaying of Consecration)}
Lámhleagan Feabhsú
^{(Handlaying of Perfection)}
Lámhleagan Sólás
^{(Handlaying of Solace)}

Polity:

Episcopal

Structure:

Comaoineach
(Communion)

Primate:

Robert IX, Ardcoarb of Sancta Sedes

Administration:

Cúirt Naofa of Sancta Cedes

Particular (autonomous) Churches:

Western Church
7 Eastern Rite Churches

Bishoprics:

518 Archbishoprics
2,455 Bishoprics

Parishes:

187,299

Region:

Worldwide

Language:

Ecclesiastical High Kiltic and Native Languages

Liturgy:

Western Standard
Eastern Rite

Headquarters:

Sancta Cedes

Founders:

St. Archibald
St. Caspius
St. Hilaire
St. Mogue I

^{RELATED ARTICLES:}
OVERVIEW
HISTORY
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
THEOLOGY
SACRED TEXTS
RITES AND PRACTICES