Chant of Light

The Chant of Light is a collection of chants that together comprise the religious texts of The Chantry. It is based on the tale and teachings of Andraste, bride and prophet of The Maker, and was probably first created circa 1065 TE (-130 Ancient) by her disciples who collected these into hymns after her death.

Document Structure

Clauses

The Canticles of the Chant of Light are as follows:

• Canticle of Andraste
• Canticle of Apotheosis
• Canticle of Benedictions
• Canticle of Erudition
• Canticle of Exaltations
• Canticle of Threnodies
• Canticle of Transfigurations
• Canticle of Trials
• Canticle of Victoria

According to common belief, the Chant in its current form is a compilation of the Orlesian interpretation of the Chant written by the first Divine, Justinia I. However, there have been changes to even this canonical Chant, most notably the excision of the Canticle of Shartan after the Exalted March on The Dales in the early Glory Age. Verses struck from the accepted Chant are known as "Dissonant Verses."
The Dissonant Verses are as follows:

• Canticle of Silence
• Canticle of Shartan 
• Canticle of Maferath

The Chant is divided into Canticles and sub-divided into stanzas and then verses. The entire Chant of Light takes several weeks to recite, and is only sung straight through at the Grand Cathedral in Val Royeaux. The Chant covers a wide range of subject matter such as cosmogenesis, human history, the story of Andraste, and the founding of the Chantry. Some are simply collections of hymns. Some are the specific teachings of the Chantry while others are meditations on the Maker or encouragement to the faithful. Even within a Canticle, the same story may be told more than once with different styles, as each stanza may have been composed by a different disciple.
Members of the Chantry believe that when Andraste was burned by the magisters of the Tevinter Imperium, the Maker turned away from his creations. By spreading Andraste's teachings, they earn his forgiveness, and when the Chant is sung from the four corners of the earth, the Maker will return. The Chanters' faction within the Chantry even goes so far as to speak nothing but the Chant, taking as their guide the words "Speak only the Word; sing only the Chant. Then the Golden City is thine."

Publication Status

A Reader's Edition of the Chant was printed in 7:45 Storm, the result of decades of historical research and translation of Chantry archives by myriad sisters and brothers. Divine Justinia V released the New Cumberland Chant of Light in 9:38 Dragon, which contains the Dissonant verses.

Legal status

The Chant of Light most commonly used throughout Thedas is the Chant of Light as compiled by the Andrastian Chantry. In the Tevinter Imperium, the Imperial Chant of Light, a somewhat different composition, is used by the Imperial Andrastian Chantry.

Type

Text, Religious