Terran Patriarchal Church

The Terran Patriarchal Church (Old Tokundian: Терьска Патрїархaльнаѧ Црькы Terĭska Patriarkhalĭnaę Tsrĭky) is one of the three dominant Patriarchal Hosian churches in Terra. Based in Deltaria, the Church is distinguished by its polytheistic nature, in that it accepts the old Deltarian gods as "Saints".

Overview
The Terran Patriarchal Church was founded in Deltaria in 2134 as an attempt at revitalizing the abandoned concept of an infallible patriarch long abandoned since the collapse of the Holy Apostolic Hosian Church of Terra in 1819.

Today the Church still plays a role in Deltaria, with many considering themselves a member of the Church. Despite this, a growing number of civilians do not attend Church regularly or are atheists, making the Church far less influental in the world than in its erlier years. Depite the fall off of regular followers in Terra, the Church is still revered by many, despite the increased secularization and urbanization of Deltaria and Terra.

Early Years
The arrival of Hosianism in what is today Deltaria has been traditionally attributed to a disciple of Apostle Michael, Saint John the Martyr, who is traditionally considered responsible for spreading the Hosian faith around the Southern coasts of the Majatran Sea (modern day Deltaria, Kalopia, and Jelbania). Deltaria at the time was inhabited by native Majatrans, with several Kalopian colonies along the coast. The modern Terran Patriarchal Church claims apostolic succession from Saint John the Martyr, and thus the Pápež claims to be the sole legitimate successor of the first Arch-Patriarch, Saint Michael.

When the Council of Auroria created the Holy Apostolic Hosian Church of Terra in 533, the territory of today's Deltaria was included in the new church. Only a few years later, around 600, the Deltarian people arrived in Majatra. The ancient Deltarians were pagan, worshiping the gods of the old Tokunian pantheon, while the native population was mostly Hosian. Nevertheless, the neighbouring Majatran kingdoms did sponsor several Hosian missions into Deltarian lands, and by year 1000, there was a sizable Hosian population among the Deltarians, and several tribe leaders had converted.

Medieval Period


In the year 991, Thane Štefan IV proclaimed himself Cisár Štefan I, Král' of the Delta's, creating the Tokundian Ríša. Štefan and his heirs continued their strict adherence to Tokundian paganism, while Hosianism was frequently persecuted. This changed, however, with the reign of Cisár Štefan V, who ascended to the trone in 1230. Štefan V, an ardent believer in Tokundian paganism at the beginning of his reign, spent his first years on the throne conducting raids against the neighboring Hosian Majatran cities, often pillaging their rich monasteries. This changed, however, when, in 1239, a captive Hosian monk supposedly predicted that Štefan's son would die a violent death within three days. As the monk foretold, Štefan's son Štefan was captured, tortured, raped, and killed by Jelbéks during a raid against their land. Štefan V immediately accepted baptism within the Apostolic Hosian Church, and attempted to officially convert the Ríša to Hosianism using all means necessary, including the destruction of temples and the torture and killing of pagan priests.

By 1256, all Deltarian tribes were at least nominally Hosian. The Cisár was however unable to terminate the practice of paganism in Deltaria, with even Čachtice, the seat of Ríšsky power, remaining an important pagan cultic centre. His heir, Štefan VI, attempted to destroy the ancient temple of Čachtice and end its human sacrifices, but was met with a violent reaction from the population. Štefan VI was deposed and sent into exile, and his pagan cousin Vlastimir was placed on the throne. After three years in exile, Štefan returned secretly to Deltaria, and, surrounding Vlastimir's hall with his Huscarles, he set it on fire, killing the Cisár as he was attempting to leave the burning building. After Štefan resumed his reign, further violent clashes between Hosians and pagans were avoided by the decision of the Vijeće, the feudal assembly of the free men in the country, to appoint Miloš Gordanović, the chief Tokundian pagan priest, as an arbitrator between the two factions. Miloš Gordanović decided, after a week of intense meditation, that the Ríša as a whole should convert to Hosianism, while private pagan worship should be allowed to continue. Not having sufficiently consolidated his power, Štefan VI accepted the compromise solution.

Although Deltaria became nominally Hosian, actual Hosian beliefs never managed to establish themselves among the people. The actual conversion of Deltarians to Hosianism took a considerable amount of time, as it was only about 200 years later that most Deltarians had been baptized. Even afterwards, and up to today, the customs and deities of the old Tokundian pantheon continued to be preserved by the population, especially in the rural areas, while Hosian concepts and ideas were assimilated to those of the old religion. For instance, the most common depiction of Eliyahu in medieval Deltaria is that of a "Victorious Spirit", being presented as a figure of strength and luck rather than one of humbleness and piety. Hosianism did, nevertheless, become a central part of Deltarian Culture, and its adoption of Old Tokundian, the language of the Ríša's ruling class, rather than Kalopian or Selucian, led to the development of a rich literary tradition that spread across the Majatran Sea.

Independence from the Holy Apostolic Hosian Church
Throughout the subsequent centuries, the Church remained a dominant political actor during the unending civil wars in Deltaria. Supported by the tithe enforced on the peasants by the Deltarian tribal leaders, the Deltarian Church's wealth and power grew immensely. Thus, when the Arch-Patriarch of Auroria attempted to increase the power of the Selucian Church over the other national churches in the nineteenth century, the Deltarian clergy, afraid of losing its privileges, declared its autocephaly. When the Patriarchal churches declared their full independence from the Holy Apostolic Hosian Church of Terra in 1819, the Deltarian Church was one of the first to abandon the Arch-Patriarchate, becoming one of the numerous independent Patriarchal Churches resulting from this schism.

Birth of the Terran Patriarchal Church
The Terran Arch-Patriarchy was revived in Deltaria when a Tokundian serf from Doron Akigo, named Radoslav Volic, declared himself the Supreme Pontiff of the Terran Patriarchal Church as a form of protest against both the totalitarian Absolver regime ruling Deltaria, as well as the strong climate of Anti-Tokundian sentiment in his native land. Claiming apostolic succession from St. Michael, he declared himself Pápež Petr I, and instantly became a local celebrity amongst the heavily Patriarchal population of the Povicskovo fief. His immense popularity brought him to the attention of his ruling Markiz within a month, and was summarily executed for treason.

The Absolvers realised that very few people genuinely revered them as the Gods they claimed to be, and Vojvoda Mojmir Bátory set about lobbying for the reinstatement the Patriarchal belief system in a nation largely comprised of lapsed Patriarchalists. Approval was given by the Aristocracy, and the New Traditions campaign was unofficially suspended. Mojmir Bátory accepted the offer of the Deltarian Pápežate, and changed his name to Pius I. The Terran Patriarchal Church was officially born, and the Terran Papacy became widely accepted Terra-wide, especially in countries ruled by Deltaria and in her former colonies, where it gained many followers before reaching its zenith when Pápež Innocent I was named the Deltarian Head of State.

The Patriarchal Schisms


For several years Pápež Innocent I had begun a series of infamous Cadaver Synods in which all the Kardinals in Terra tried a series of deceased clergy, saints and former Popes, including Pius II, seemingly in order to discredit their legacies and pave the way for the reversal of administrative and theological changes. Support for Terran Patriarchalism dwindled further as more and more Deltarian atrocities were linked directly to the Pápež, alienating many liberal supporters. Support truly plunged when the female Pápež Jana I was chosen as it alienated many of the remaining conservative factions. These changes led to a string of schisms, most notable of which those that led to the creation of the Theognosian Church (in 2153) and the Coburan Patriarchal Church (in 2155). In Febuary 2164, the Luthori Patriarchal Church was excommunicated by Jana I, continuing the 22nd century Patriarchal schisms.



As a response to these schisms, Pápež Adrian I began the attempt to create a newer and more progressive Church, but by this time of his reforms some other Patriarchal branches throughout Terra no longer believed the Terran Patriarchal Church to be credible. With its international membership falling, the Church turned inward and became nationally focused. It began advertising almost solely to the Deltarian people by integrating traditions and the still revered old Tokundian gods into its doctrine. This newly found national focus was so profound, that even after the Church regained some of its former popularity, the words "Terran Patriarchal Church" and "Deltarian Church" are used interchangeably.

Abolition of the Pápežate
During what are considered 'The Years of Enlightenment', the decision was made by high-ranking Church officials to abolish the Pápežate, transferring the ultimate authority over all church rulings to an elected Sobor of Archbishops and Kardinals, from Patriarchal nations all over Terra. This was an extremely unpopular move amongst many of the devout Patriarchalists ; who preferred a deified figurehead of divine authority to an elected boardroom of bishops squabbling over the word of God, which they found to be blasphemous and disenheartening. Despite this, the bishops held fast to uphold a democratic Sobor over the Church, even in the face of dwindling church attendance and membership rates.

Deltarian Revival
Deltarian revival of the Terran Patriarchal Church. This also followed the reinstitution of the Pápežate, which brought back many Patriarchalists of old. The sobor still stood to elect the Patriarch, but had reduced power.

[[File:TPC_Influence.png|thumb|left|358px|Blue: Countries with moderate Patriarchal Influence.

Green: Countries with strong Patriarchal influence.]]

Core Beliefs
Eliyahu 

(Luthori: Elijah) is the central figure in the Terran Patriarchal Church and a major prophet in Queranzariah. Most followers of the Church consider him to be the Spirit of God and the Savior of mankind, and that he is currently in Hiding, to return at the end of Terra. Originally the High Priest of the Yeudish Church, Eliyahu was overthrown and exiled, and came to lead a small community of followers that was to become the Hosian Church. The Pantheon

The Clergy and the Laity
The Highest Position in the Church under the Pápež is the HIgh Synod, an assembly of Patriarchal Bishops, which elect the Pápež. It is supposed to be the vioce of the Patriarch, executing his will. It is the main manager of the Tithes and administration, as well as religious tasks. When a vacancy in the Synod forms the Pápež on advice of the council would appoint a new Patriarchal Bishop to the position.

Bellow the Papal Council the network of the Church is divided into the Clergy and the Laity. The Clergy is the body concerned with religious leadership, while the Laity is concerned with administrative tasks. While those in the Laity are not formal clergymen or clergywomen, they may also be very religious, and are usually chosen based partially on their religiosity. Both members of the Laity and Clergy are allowed to be married, but there are specific rules for each of the two groups. Both the Clergy and the Laity may have children and marry, and both are only able to “lie down beside each other in marriage”. Members of the Clergy, however, are subject to a few more limitations, such as that they may only marry a person of the cloth as well.

The highest members of the clergy bellow the High Synod are the Bishops. Bishops are members of the Church responsible for, amongst other things, “ teaching the doctrine of the Trinity, governing members in his or her jurisdiction, sanctifying the world of the Trinity, and for representing the Church. Bishops rule from Cathedrals (seats of the Bishop), and govern a large region known as a Diocese. From his or her Cathedral the Bishop must “govern, teach, and sanctify the members of his Diocese, sharing these duties with those who serve under him.” The phrase “teach sanctify and govern,” means that he must a) oversee the teaching of the scripture at all times .b) oversee and administer the ordination of Clergymen. c) Administer and judge “the religious law for member of his or her Diocese.” To become a Bishop one must be older than 35, have a doctorate given by a monastic college in religious matters, be judged to have “good repute, great faith, excellent morals, and other qualities that make him or her suitable for the office”, and have been in a position in the Clergy for at least five strait years. It is believed that Boh itself touched the first Bishops, and thus when a new Bishop is ordained another Bishop must touch him or her to impart the spirit of the gods upon them.

 Bellow the Bishops are the normal Preists. Priests are part of the order of the Eparchate, and have differing positions and roles. To become a Priest one must get a degree in religious matters at a Monastic College and then study theology at a Monastery. Then they will try to become a Priest, and if any positions are vacated the person will be ordained by an Bishop to be a Priest. The main responsibilities of a Priest are to lead religious ceremonies such as mass, anointing, cremations, marriages, etc., as well as hearing confessions and counseling believers. Some Priests are known as “Parochial Priests”, and are the leaders or “Parochias”, which are subdivisions of Diocese.

 Bellow the Priests are the Deacons, who are members of the Deaconate. Deacons also have varying roles, and there are two main types of Deacons. The first type is the “Transitional Deacon”. This is a Deacon who has completed or is completing his or her studies and wants to become a Priest. During the period of waiting for his ordination he or she may become a Deacon. The other type of Deacon is the “Permanent Deacon”. This Deacon is not transitional, and will stay in their office indefinitely. Note that there is no actual difference in seniority between the two. There are a few main duties of a Deacon, the first of which is performing the scripture during mass, as well as teaching and preaching to others. The Deacon is also supposed to recite other prayers as well during certain times of the day, just like Tetrarchs.

 Another key position in the Clergy is the Brother or Sister. These are people who dedicate their lives to living in Monasteries. The Monastery is a crucial building for the Church, as it gives the supply of Sacramental Wine as well as serves for the teaching of those wishing to be ordained. These buildings are known as Monastic Colleges. There are also various special orders of the Patriarchal Church, such as the Order of Truth, which are semi-autonomous and act to further the will of the Church or are focused on specific beliefs.

Famous Deltarian Popes
Pápež Peter I

The first Deltarian Pápež was initially a Tokundian serf from Doron Akigo, named Radoslav Volic, who declared himself the Supreme Pontiff of the Terran Patriarchal Church as a form of protest against both the Deltarian New Traditions Campaign and Absolver Personality Cults, as well as the strong climate of Anti-Tokundian sentiment in his native land. Declaring all previous Popes’ tenures to have been nullified by the institution of the High Synod, he declared himself Papez Petr I, and instantly became a local celebrity amongst the heavily Patriarchal population of the Povicskovo fief. His immense popularity brought him to the attention of his ruling Markiz within a month, and was summarily executed for treason.

Pápež Pius I
Pápež Pius was the first Pápež to be elected with the approval of the Deltarian Government. The Absolvers realised that very few people genuinely revered them as the Gods they claimed to be, and Vojvoda Mojmir Bátory set about lobbying for the reinstatement the Patriarchal belief system in a nation largely comprised of lapsed Patriarchalists. Approval was given by Absolver Black, and the rest of Aristocracy, and the New Traditions campaign was unofficially suspended. Mojmir Bátory accepted the offer of the Deltarian Pápežate, and changed his name to Pius I. He was the shortest reigning Pápež in the history of the Terran Patriarchal Church, being pronounced dead twenty-eight minutes after his coronation, during the drafting of his first set of Papal edicts.

Pápež Pius II
Pius I's only son, L'ubomir Bátory was also the only witness to his fathers death. From his account, the late Pápež was overcome with a fit of depression, and committed suicide by stabbing himself in the heart, face and throat, several times. As he took his final breaths, his dying wish was that L'ubomir would inheret the Pápežate, and continue the Bátory bloodline. L'ubomire reluctantly accepted, and after a 30-day period of national mourning, he was proclaimed Pápež Pius II, in honour of his father. Pius II brought about many administrative changes in his edicts, declaring Castle Kachetovo in Darali to be the new Vatikan and Holy See. He excommunicated the High Synod, several of whom he recommunicated after displaying what he considered to be 'heartfelt penitance'. He served for eighteen years, before voluntarily abdicating the Pápežate in favour of his archrival, Igor Nádašdy. In his retirement he married Barona Ivanka Nádašyova, his childhood sweetheart, and later died of natural causes. Eight months after his death he was made the first victim of the infamous Cadaver Synods. Upon his death, dissident Terran Patriarchals used him to found the Theognosian Church.

Pápež Innocent I
Jana's half-brother, Igor Nádašdy

Pápež Jana I
Innocent's half-sister, Annamária Nádašdy