Agathism

Agathism (Canrillaise: Agathisme) is a syncretic and dualist religion practiced in Canrille or South Seleya, combining Zamāni dualism with a Hosian theology. Agathism has its roots in the re-emergence of Yazdean dualistic beliefs in South Seleya after the region's Hosianization, and it was a direct challenge to the power of the Holy Apostolic Hosian Church of Terra, until the religion was almost completely destroyed as a result of the Holy Wars of Kanjor. Now most Agathistes live in Alduria, where they form around 10% of the population.

Origins
Yazdism and related religions had been the dominant faith in most of Seleya as a result of rule by the Kemokian Empire, and in Canrille the faith was practiced in syncretism with the traditional Selucian paganism of the proto-Canrillaise people. Beginning with late antiquity, the Hosian faith was brought to South Seleya, and after the Council of Auroria, the region was brought under the religious authority of the Holy Apostolic Hosian Church of Terra. However, Yazdean beliefs continued to be practiced by the population, often with Hosian forms.

Beliefs
- there are two Gods; one "God of the Earth" (Le haïssaient - The Hated-One) who hates mankind and rules the physical world, & the "God of the Heavens" (Le gardien - The Guardian) who rules the divine or spiritual world, loves mankind and wishes to save them from suffering

- the physical world is entirely evil and the result of the God of the Earth's creation; human souls are of celestial origin, but are trapped into the physical world

- "God of the Earth" was later defeated by "God of the Heavens"'s chosen son Eliyahu during his temptations in the wilderness and became Satanail therefore paving the way for "God of the Heavens" triumph

- the "Hidden Messiah" was continual reincarnation of Eliyahu, given title of Saint Rédempteur (Saintly Redemmer) or Caché (The Hidden); first known was Saint Rédempteur Onfroi (last name unknown) from Badefols-sur-Kanjorgne, a peasant

- extreme asceticism is necessary to release one from the bounds of the physical world; childbearing is considered a grave (but forgivable) sin

Saint Rédempteur
- Redeemer kept the "God of the Earth" form unleashing his full forces upon the planet

- all suffering was responsibility of this god; as long as Redeemer remained hidden, evil would roam Terra

- the "Third" Redeemer, Aurélien, granted the Archbishop of Kanjo, the House of Boullée; express power and responsibility to determine who the new Redeemer was after the current Redeemer passed on

- Third redeemer was the last to be found; Archbishop preached his word and many converted to his new ideas

- after Aurélien's death, no new Redeemers were found; instead, his power belongs to all bonhommes collectively

Organization and practices
- initially led by Archbishop of Kanjo and organized into Bishoprics

- after Holy Wars, only distinction is between the ascetic bonhommes (Good Men), who take all the vows required by the religion, and the croyants, laypeople who did not take the religion's vows but still participate

- men and women are considered equal, and both can become bonhommes and lead the Church

- there is only one sacrament, the éclairage, undertaken before one is to become a bonhomme; the sacrament can only be administered by another bonhomme, and once administered, the believer is required to become a vegetarian and celibate

- many croyants undertake the éclairage on their deathbeds

- there is also an extreme fast, usually undertaken by the terminally ill, that requires the believer to starve themselves to death