The Order of the Centurion
A Christian Military Order that takes its inspiration form the three Centurions mentioned in the New Testament. The first came to Jesus seeking healing for his servant and Jesus proclaimed that no one in Israel had such faith. The second presided over the crucifixion of Christ and recognized Jesus' divinity and proclaimed, "Surely this was the son of God". The third was Cornelius who was said to be a righteous man and was the first known Gentile to receive the gospel and be baptized.
Structure
There are four Wardens; Warden of the Eastern March (Sir Gerard) who defends civilization against the Hungarians to the East, The Warden of the Northern March (Sir Christoph) who defends civilization against the Vikings to the north, The Warden of the Western March (Sir Abelard) who defends civilization from the Moors in Spain, and the Warden of the Southern March (Sir Vincent) who defends the Pope and acts as a reserve force to support the other three in times of trouble.
Public Agenda
They work to defend central Europe (the three kingdoms of Francia, the German city states, northern Italy). They also seek to take care of the poor and defend the weak and model the life of Christ in their daily living.
Assets
Membership in the Order is a family affair with the entire, family contributing. Both men and women fight (women primarily fight to defend the castles). They are not a wealthy Order as any money collected is quickly spent serving others. They receive a lot of popular support from the people who gladly donated goods to support their work. Local nobility does not care for them since they stand outside of the normal authority structures but their value as a first line of defense is recognized and supported by all.
History
Founded in 778 AD by Charlemagne a week after his defeat at Roncevaux Pass. He divided up his Paladins (the 12 Peers) and set three in each direction to defend the Kingdom of the Franks. As the Carolingian Empire spread so did their duties and their fame. They answered directly to the king and not to any of the local nobles.
Disbandment
Still functioning
Divine Origins
They are a Christian military order and they are considered a Christian sect. Their faith is tolerated by the dominant Catholic and Orthodox faiths because they are important defenders of Christendom. The Order was founded after Charlemagne's army was defeated at the battle Roncevaux Pass when Charlemagne saw a vision (similar to Constantine's vision prior to the Battle of Milvian Bridge) in which he was told to give his Paladins (the 12 Peers) to God's service so that God could stand watch over his Kingdom and protect it. The Paladins, led by Roland, spent a week fasting and praying about God's will and then wrote the Centurion's Covenant, the founding principles of the Order of the Centurions. They bound themselves by oath to serve the Lord according to the principles laid down in the covenant.
Cosmological Views
God centric - based upon Genesis chapters 1-12.
Tenets of Faith
The Centurions are both a military organization and a religious organization. They are Christian but differ in several ways from Catholicism or Easter Orthodoxy. They pray directly to God and do not invoke the saints. They respect the saints and their acts of faith but they don't venerate them. Every member is expected to read the Bible for themselves. They practice believer's baptism. Communion brings grace because of the act of reverence and obedience, not because of consubstantiation or transubstantiation. Centurions are not to accumulate wealth or beautiful things, function over form, simple and practical is preferred over intricate and impractical. They show mercy to their enemies, feed the poor, take care of the sick, and treat everyone as equals.
Ethics
Very high, no lying, stealing, or other crimes, Excessive pride is the highest sin.
Priesthood
Priests are typically retired Centurion knights rather than being a separate priestly class. Female priests exist but they are rare.
Granted Divine Powers
God rewards the faithful and blesses them but God also works in mysterious ways so there is not a particular "power set" granted by God to his faithful.
Political Influence & Intrigue
None to speak of within the order. Their relationship with the political powers outside of the order is problematic. The Frankish, Germanic, and Italian nobles love having the Order on the border as an extra layer of defense against the barbarian raiders but they hate having them too close where their principles of service to others and egalitarian philosophy are seen as being very bad influences on the peasants of the protected lands.
Sects
The Centurions are considered to be a sect by many within the Christian faith.
DISBANDED/DISSOLVED
Serve God, Protect the Innocent, Defend the Weak
Maps
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World of the Centurions
Founding Date
August 21, 778
Type
Military, Knightly Order
Alternative Names
Centurions
Training Level
Elite
Veterancy Level
Veteran
Demonym
Centurions
Leader
Subsidiary Organizations
Controlled Territories
Manufactured Items
Related Items
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Comments