The Step of Faith
The Centurion Coming of Age Ceremony. Children under the age of 12 are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of activities so that when they are 12 they are able to make the decision that will set the course for their life. This decision is not made in a vacuum and parents have a strong influence, but neither is it easy to change once it has been made. The child is expected to spend time in prayer with their family and changing one's mind is essentially saying, "We didn't understand what God was telling us," which leads to the question, how do you know you really understand God's will now?
Once the decision of vocation has been made there is a great deal of latitude within each profession to find one's niche and there are certainly many opportunities to have a hobby that is outside of your field if you so choose ut it is still a big choice.
History
The Centurions are not just a military order of male knights. The Order is a completely self-sufficient movement composed of entire families dedicated to the same goal. Everyone in a Centurion castle is a centurion including the maids and the gardeners. For this reason, when a child turns 12 they are no longer a child but rather they have started the journey to adulthood. They begin training in their profession so that when they reach the age of 20 they are prepared to become an adult Centurion. Squires become knights, handmaidens become shieldmaidens, apprentices become artisans (usually with their own title like 'Doctor' or 'Blacksmith'), the maids become maidservants, laborers become menservants.
Children are encouraged to shadow individuals who are working in professions that interest the child so that they have an idea about what they want to do when they make their declarations at age 12. Changing their minds after they have made their declaration is not prohibited but it is strongly discouraged so the adolescents are given as much opportunity and support as possible prior to making their decisions. In fact, any child who wishes to have more time to decide may make their declaration later (a few do not make a declaration until 14). No child is required to make a declaration and join the Order but if they have not join the order by 20 then they must leave the castle (this is incredibly rare).
All pathways are considered to be equal in the eyes of the Lord and the order. There are three broad pathways, the military pathway is called the Shield of God, the artisan pathway is called the Glory of God, and the service pathway is called the Hands of God.
The military path carries with it the most prestige among non-Centurions and may be given noble rank BUT they work relentlessly to improve their skills and run the greatest risks and endure the greatest hardships. The old saying "Centurions do not die gently" refers to the military branch and it is very rare for a knight or a shieldmaiden to live into their 50's.
The artisan path can be thought of as the educated middle class of Centurion society. They are the problem solvers, the engineers, doctors, accountants, smiths, natural philosophers, musicians, etc. They are expected to keep up with the latest innovations and make new discoveries in their fields. They are responsible for all of the maintenance and upgrade of the castle and its equipment. They are trained to use the glaive in order to assist in defending the castle if attackers get over the wall.
The service path supports the other two paths, they are the menservants and maidservants, grooms, gardeners, cooks, maids, etc. To non-Centurions this group has the lowest status but within the order they are seen as being just as important as the other two paths and they are addressed with respect. They are given gifts during the holidays without the expectation that they give them to the other two classes. Their path is generally the safest and the least demanding but they take on the least desirable (non-technical) jobs and serve the other two paths as they do their jobs.
Execution
The Step of Faith ceremony: At the age of 12 a young man or young woman goes through a coming of age ceremony that takes place in two parts. In the first part they are attended by adults of their own gender only, the Lord or Lady of the manor and several close relatives or friends. The young person strips and stands naked, representing the original Adam and Eve and the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 2 is read aloud. Next the adults sprinkle dirt on them representing the original sin that got them cast out of Eden while reading Genesis 3 and the fall of man. They are asked to acknowledge their sin and then they are asked if they wish to accept Christ as their Lord and savior and be washed clean in his blood. If they say "yes" they are washed in fresh, cold water while Acts 10 - the baptism of Cornelius - is read. (If the applicant says "no" then they are dressed while still covered in dirt and the ceremony ends. They may stay as a guest in the castle until they turn twenty and will be treated with respect as an equal but they are not considered to be a centurion. They may choose to undergo the ceremony at a later time if they wish and people who are new to the Order must go through the ceremony regardless of their age if they wish to join). After they are washed clean of the dirt, they are clothed in a simple, white, linen tunic, and presented to the people of the manor in a large ceremony. The Lord or Dame of the manor verify, in front of everyone, that the young person has accepted the cleansing blood of Christ and been washed of their sins. They are asked how they wish to serve the Lord as a Centurion. There are three main options; they may choose to be Defenders of the Faith (knights and shieldmaidens), they may choose to be a Servants of the Faithful (maidservants and manservants), or Proclaimers of God's Glory. If they choose to become a Squire/Handmaiden or an Apprentice the Lord of the manor issues a call to see if there is anyone who wishes to sponsor and train them. These decisions are not made in a vacuum and so arrangements have almost always been made prior to the call for someone to sponsor them. In response to the call their sponsor will then step forward and stand beside them while they repeat their vow of service to the Lord and the Order (it is VERY simple in the "Let your yes be yes" tradition of the Centurions). If they choose Service as their calling they are accepted as a Maid or as a Laborer and the Doma or the Foreman step forward and stand with them while they recite their vow. After the ceremony a feast is eaten with the new adults being the guests of honor as others wait upon them. The ceremony is typically done every 3 months at the solstice of the equinox with small groups of young people, typically 3-4. If there is no one coming of age then no ceremony is held.
Components and tools
A tub of water, a bottle of wine, a linen tunic, and a symbol of each person's chosen path (a shield, an apron, a hammer, etc.)
Participants
The Lord and Lady of the manor lead the ceremony. The novitiates make their declarations of their chosen paths. Each novitiate has a mentor in their chosen field who stands beside them during the ceremony. The rest of the inhabitants of the castle serve as witnesses.
Observance
The ceremonies are scheduled during the solstices and equinoxes. The summer solstice is usually the largest (10-12 novitiates) and the winter solstice is usually the smallest (4-6 novitiates).
Related Ethnicities
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