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Aurorian Patriarchal Church
Ecclesia Patriarchalis Auroriae
Aurorian Patriarchal Cross
Aurorian Patriarchal Cross
Abbreviation APC
Type Patriarchal
Theistic philosophy Binitarian
Scripture Hosian Bible
Governance Episcopal
Arch-Patriarch Thomas Justus
Region Worldwide
Headquarters Empyrean Temple (de jure)
Ville de Saints (de facto)
Founder Eliyahu (traditionally)
Founded Founded in 533
Reunited in 3876
Merge of Selucian Patriarchal Church
Theognosian Church
Liturgical language Traditionally Classical Selucian and Canrillaise, commonly vernacular languages
Liturgical rite Various, principally Selucian and Theognosian
Members 800 million

The Aurorian Patriarchal Church is the largest Hosian church and the largest single religious organisation in the world. Throughout history the Church has played an integral role in the development of world events and continues to possess significant political and cultural influence in many parts of the world.

The Church traces its roots to the First Council of Auroria in 533, which led to the foundation of the Holy Apostolic Church. When the Holy Apostolic Church dissolved in 1819 it was succeeded by the Selucian Patriarchal Church and the Theognosian Church which eventually reunited in the wake of the Second Council of Auroria to form the Aurorian Patriarchal Church.

The Church is headed by the Arch-Patriarch who traditionally resides in the Empyrean Temple in the Selucian capital of Auroria. According to the doctrine of the Church and the principle of apostolic succession, his primacy is based on the Arch-Patriarch's position as the successor of Saint Michael.

Name[]

The official name of the Church is the "Holy Apostolic Hosian Church of Terra", a reference to the original Hosian Church. Within official documentation, it has become increasingly common to refer to the Church as the "Ecumenical Patriarchal Church" or simply the "Patriarchal Church".

Church documents do not generally use the term "Aurorian", believing that the Church has a global scope, however this is the dominant term in common usage to distinguish it from the Terran Patriarchal Church. Many followers and members of the Church refer to themselves as "Aurorian Patriarchal Hosians" or simply "Aurorians". The term "Aurorianism" is sometimes used but some reject it for the political implication of the suffix "-ism".

History[]

Early church[]

The history of the Church is cited as beginning with Eliyahu of Yishelem, a high priest within the Yeudi Church around the beginning of the first century (CE). Eliyahu was regarded as pious and well-versed in the Katub, being believed to be closely by God.

In spite of this, his attempts to reform the Church through the promotion of a more "humane" understanding of Yeudi doctrine and his desire to accept gentile converts attracted the ire of the Yeudi clergy who conspired to have him exiled to the desert in approximately 1 CE.

EliyahuExile

Eliyahu leaving into Hiding in Heaven

Eliyahu became the leader of a small group of dedicated disciples in his newly established ascetic community who called themselves "the pious" (Hosioi), which was to become the core of the Hosian movement. According to the Annunciation, Eliyahu prophesies that God has ordered him to go into hiding, and will return at the end of the world to bring peace and end falsehood.

In approximately 54 CE, Eliyahu enters a second exile in Hell before ascending to Heaven, in an event referred to within the Aurorian Church as the Great Hiding. In the wake of this disappearance, Eliyahu's disciples began spreading his word throughout the region that he was the saviour of the world and would return at some time in the future. Eventually they formed the first Hosian church in 533 CE, the Holy Apostolic Hosian Church of Terra at the Council of Auroria.

Despite the centre of the Apostolic Church being in Selucia, Hosianism remained persecuted in the region and a resurgence of Selucian paganism in the 19th century led to the dissolution of the original Apostolic Church in 1819. For a time the worldwide church remained without central leadership.

Eventually the Terran Patriarchal Church emerged under the leadership of the Tokundian serf Radoslav Volic in 2135. The Theognosian Church separated from the Terran Church shortly afterwards in 2154.

Aurorian era[]

The Aurorian Patriarchal Church as it exists in the present day was formed by the restoration of full communion between two major Patriarchal churches, the Selucian Patriarchal Church and the Theognosian Church, through the Second Council of Auroria. According to the doctrine of the modern Church, the Aurorian Church is the Church established by Eliyahu in the Annunciation and the sole legitimate successor to the Holy Apostolic Hosian Church of Terra. Likewise the Arch-Patriarch is the leader of the Church in line with the principle of apostolic succession.

Doctrine[]

The doctrine of the Church has evolved over a significant period of time and been heavily influenced by the changing nature of the Church throughout history. On the subject of theological issues, the Church recognises the doctrine of archpatriarchal infallibility, which holds that when making judgements about matter of faith, the Arch-Patriarch is incapable of being wrong. The basis of this belief is the promise made to the disciples by Eliyahu.

Aurorian Creed[]

Main article: Aurorian Creed

Like the other major western Patriarchal Church, the Terran Patriarchal Church, the Aurorian Patriarchal Church asserts the Aurorian Creed. For this reason, the Churches are sometimes referred to collectively as "Aurorian Patriarchalism", though this may cause confusion. Numerous Abjurant and Bishopal denominations recognise the importance the Creed although there are differing interpretaions and formulations.

Formalised at the First Council of Auroria in 533, the Creed takes the form of a statement of belief and in the Aurorian Church, it is made in the plural (i.e. "we believe" and not "I believe").

The modern text of the Aurorian Creed in Luthorian (according to the Church):

We believe in one God, Almighty Father to Us All,


Who created Terra and Caelum, all that is visible and invisible,
(Who led Ariel to Holy Yishelem, and shielded his people.)

And we believe in one Lord, Eliyahu Hosios,
Pure and Holy Spirit of God,
Proceeding from God before all ages,

Not created, but himself the Creator,
Not born, but himself the Father of All,
Not begun, but himself the Beginning.
Who is in God and of God and from God,
In His whole Substance like unto God.

Announced through prophesy,
Holy Word of God,
through the virgin Sarahea in man incarnate,
Who is light to our world,
True servant of the one true God,

Who called us, the Pious, to follow His word,
And was exiled to the desert by vengeful man,
Who, persecuted even in exile,
Strengthened His resolve, and did His duty,
Even in the face of death.
For forty days did He pray in His despair,
And then ascended into heaven.
And on the third day He did descend to hell to bear our sins.
Returned triumphant, then disappeared into Hiding,
According to scripture.

Who, with divine Grace,
Sent to us the Light of God,
Which illuminated His Word to the prophets of old,
To remain with us to light the way,
And give us strength to believe,
In memory of those who came before,

We believe that he has life eternal,
And that at the end of times,
He shall return to judge living and dead,
To be Saviour of Terra,
And that His Kingdom shall continue,
In time and eternity.

Until such a time, we hold true to His teachings,
Hear and live His Annunciation,
In the Community of the Pious,
One holy, apostolic and ecumenical Church,
We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins,
In the hope that we shall live again,
In life eternal.



Amen.

Theology[]

Patriarchalists believe that Eliyahu is an emanation of God, the "Spirit of God", through whom he created Terra. They believe that Eliyahu did not die, but is alive somewhere in Terra in hiding. He will reveal himself again when Terra is ready, and establish his Kingdom. It is believed that Eliyahu's mission on Terra included giving people his word and example to follow, as recorded in the Annunciation. Patriarchalism teaches that following the example of Eliyahu helps believers to become closer to him, and therefore to grow in true love, freedom, and the fullness of life.

Eliyahu Preaching

Eliyahu preaching to his desert community

The central tenet of Hosianism is the belief in Eliyahu of Yishelem as the Spirit of God and the Savior of all mankind. Eliyahu is believed to fulfill the ancient expectations of Yeudism, and is understood to be the same as the "Spirit of God" mentioned in the Katub as the instrument of God's actions.

On the exact nature of Eliyahu and his relationship with God (a branch of theology referred to as "Pneumatology", from Kalopian πνεῦμα pneuma, meaning "Spirit") there are numerous disagreements. The mainstream Hosian view following the Council of Auroria is binitarianism, the belief that God and Eliyahu are part of a single godhead, and yet different and equal persons. Hosians in the non-Aurorian Churches share this belief in the divinity and pre-existence of Eliyahu, but reject that He is a different person from God. Followers of Ordism believe that Eliyahu is lesser than God.

Holy Sacrifices[]

The Aurorian Patriarchal Church recognises the Seven Sacrifices of the tradition of the Holy Apostolic Hosian Church. Apart from the central Most Holy Sacrifice of Gratitude, also known as the Holy Revelation, the Church recognises Baptism, Illumination, Vocation, Remission, Matrimony and Burial as Sacrifices. It teaches that the Seven Sacrifices are divinely-ordained acts imparting God's grace, through which the lifes of individual faithful are sanctified. The Sacrifices are efficacious ex opere operato, meaning their proper administration is independent of the character of those administering them, so long as he has the authority and intent to do so. While any believer can validly perform the first initiation Sacrifice of Baptism and Matrimony is widely regarded as being administered by each partner to the other, all the other sacraments are reserved to the Vocated clergy.

The Holy Revelation, in the Church's gratitudinal theology, is the centrepiece of the Hosian faith, understood as a personal encounter with Eliyahu. The Church holds as dogma that Elijah is truly present in the Holy Revelation (a doctrine known as True Revelation), and that this happens by consubstantiation (a doctrine by which Eliyahu is present alongside bread and wine).

Social Teaching[]

"We declare, that the matters of politics and theology are twinned, but of different natures, and should remain separated from each other. The Church believes that this is a sound order, but insists that the Ehudio-Hosian values that constitutes the foundations of all humanism and the Natural Rights, cannot remain separated from political matters. We therefore oppose the idea of religious parties.

Furthermore, we cannot condone abortion, as we see it as a violation of the basic human right and duty of life. So is also euthanasia. We oppose and condemn these actions as crimes, though we ask or respect and forgiveness for those guilty of these sins.

Sexual relations should, in our view, be reserved for the sanctuary of the Sacrifice of Love. Adultery is harmful to society and the individual, and is a grave mistake and a sin in our eyes, as it harms the individuals involved, as well as all kindered and society as a whole. We also condemn contraception as it makes a promiscuous lifestyle possible for a longer time.

In line with our views on sexual purity, we also oppose homosexuality as something that goes against the natural law. For us it is obvious that the reproductive phenomena were made for procreation, and cannot be condoned in a sterile relationship. Marriage is and shall ever remain, no matter if agreed on without the Sacrifice of Love, the societal definition of the foundation of a family, which consists of a man and a woman and their children. The definition should be used to benefit those who form families.

As part of our opposition to radicalist experiments, we support the market economy, supplemented with adequate ethical responsibility, and declare that solidarity can be prevented by socialization. Society is separate from the state, and should not be subject to any social experiments by the government. The leaders of the state has a responsibility to protect the natural rights of their citizens, but also to defend their nation's culture and society's freedom.

Beacuse of this, we declare that radical egalitarianism is inherently evil, as God gave each man different traits that placed us on different levels of society. We believe that all individuals are equal in the sense that all are born with the same fundamental rights of life, property and tolerability, but not in the sense that all are to be forced into societal equality. We condemn such views as utopian and un-hosian. We also declare civil disobedience a grave evil, as the law is a righteous thing by itself, and a society where everyone follows their own laws will quickly descend into anarchy. The faithful should work inside the law to fight injustice and unethical phenomenas, and not against it. We also call for a sound and balanced view of the concerns of environmental protection, as we do not wish the faithful to be deceived by great economic interests in the name of environmental hysteria."

- Cardinal Verner Ljungborg, Archeparch of Barmenia

Organization[]

Arch-Patriarch[]

The Arch-Patriarch is the leader of the Church and the supreme pastor of all Aurorian Patriarchal Hosians, as well as the direct superior to all bishops and archbishops who are not within the jurisdiction of a particular Patriarchate.

The Arch-Patriarch is the Bishop of Auroria and resides in the Empyrean Temple. The position is elected by the College of Cardinals. According to the primacy of the Arch-Patriarch, the Arch-Patriarch is the apostolic successor of Saint Michael. Traditionally and officially the Arch-Patriarch follows the Selucian Rite but this is not the only liturgical rite employed within the Church.

The full title of the Arch-Patriarch is:

Ecumenical Arch-Patriarch of the Holy Apostolic Hosian Church of Terra, Vicar of Elijah Hosios, Successor of St. Michael Vigilius, the First Apostle, Bishop of Auroria, Primate of Selucia, Supreme Watcher of the Church, Sovereign of the City State of the Empyrean Temple, First and Equal among the Patriarchs, Father of the Bishops, Servant of the Faithful.

Patriarchs[]

Main article: Patriarchs of the Aurorian Patriarchal Church
Patriarchates of the APC

The four Patriarchates within the Church

Within the Church there are four particular Patriarchates overseen by a Patriarch, which exist to reflect historic and cultural distinctions within the Church.

  • Patriarch of the East
    • The Patriarchate of the East includes Barmenistan, Pontesi and Cildania, as well as bishops in Cobura and Zardugal adhering to the Coburan Rite. In terms of liturgy, the Patriarchare includes a variety of traditions, particularly the Hobrazian Rite, the Kathuran Rite and the aforementioned Coburan Rite.

Monasticism[]

Monasticism plays a major role in the Church. Widespread orders include the Justine Friars.

Membership[]

Although it is difficult to be certain about the number of individuals who identify with the Church or should be considered active members, the Aurorian Patriarchal Church is generally considered to be the largest Hosian denomination and the largest single religious group in the world. Aurorian populations are concentrated particularly in southern Seleya, Istalia, Tukarali and Egelion.

Liturgy[]

Church buildings[]

Whiles the term "church" applies to the faithful and the institution of the Church, it is generally used to refer to the buildings where Hosian worship takes place too. Cathedrals are a particular type of church buildings that is the seat of a bishop or archbishop, two key positions within the Aurorian Church hierarchy.

EmpyreanTemple

Archbasilica of Saint Michael in Auroria, perhaps the most well-known church building in the world

The traditional design for a church was such that the plan view of the building formed the shape of a cross, an important symbol in the church, when viewed from above. Throughout the centuries the architecture and decoration of churches has been a focus of Aurorian effort on the basis that beautiful church buildings honour God and Eliyahu. In comparison to other Hosian denominations (particularly Bishopal and Abjurant churches), the Aurorian Church is known for more traditional and extravagant church design.

In addition to being a place of prayer for Aurorians, church buildings are the centre of many important events within the Church. Bishops and priests lead important ceremonies marking notable spiritual events within the Aurorian calendar and part of being a "good Aurorian" is attending these events with a certain frequency.

Sacrifices[]

The Holy Sacrifices of the Hosian Church are the centerpiece of the faith, although not all Sacrifices are accepted in all churches. Although derived from the word in its original meaning, "Sacrifice" is, theologically, distinct from "sacrifice" (as in the offering of goods to God), and is translated differently into different languages (Sacrificieinstead of Opfer in Dovichan, Sacrificie instead of offer in Kazulian, et cetera). In Selucian Patriarchal Hosianism, there are seven Sacrifices from cradle to grave. The Seven Sacrifices are the following:

1.Sacrifice of Water (Baptism) 

2.Sacrifice of Gratitude (Revelation, equivalent of the Eucharist) 

Orthodox Catholic Mass

Theognosian Sacrifice of Gratitude

3.Sacrifice of Fire (Illumination, similar to confirmation) 

4.Sacrifice of Piety (Vocation, consecration of priests) 

5.Sacrifice of Love (Marriage) 

6.Sacrifice of Purity (Remission, similar to confession) 

7.Sacrifice of Memory (Burial) 

Liturgical rites[]

Lirtugical tradition within the Church is extremely diverse. The two major liturgical rites are the Selucian Rite and the Theognosian Rite, each representing the liturgical tradition of the Selucian Patriarchal Church and the Theognosian Church respectively. For this reason each liturgy is dominant in the region where the respective Church was historically prevelant (i.e. the Theognosian Rite in Canrille and Istalia, the Selucian Rite in Selucia, Artania and the north).

Aside from the two major liturgical rites, a number of particular churches utilise different liturgies and languages. In most cases this is the result of the historic influence of another major Hosian denomination in the region, for example the influence of the Hobrazian Orthodox Church in Hobrazia and Pontesi is reflected in the dominance of the Hobrazian Rite.

The most significant liturgical rites utilised in the Church include:

Traditions[]

Devotion[]

Sarahae is a major object of devotion in Patriarchalism Hosianism.

Some of the major Saints venerated in the Church are St. Michael, St. Thomas, St. Angelicus of Subasium, St. Martinus of Augusta, St Justus III, St. Pius II and St. Medgar Haas.

Symbolism[]

The Cross is considered to be the main symbol of Hosianism as a whole. The image of a cross or of crucifixion features prominently as symbolism in the Annunciation, leading to its adoption by many of the early Hosian communities as a symbol to identify by. Crucifixes can often be seen adorning the altars of many Hosian churches, as the cross is seen as a symbol of man's encounter with God through Eliyahu and the redeeming Exile in Hell of Eliyahu. In addition, because of the prevalence of crucifixion as the most horrific form of punishment in the apostolic age, many other shapes of crosses have come to be associated with apostles who were supposedly martyred on them.

In liturgy, the sign of the cross is used frequently in Patriarchalism, both in public ceremony and in private prayers. Often accompanied by the words (secretly or publicly) "in the name of God and Spirit", the sign of the cross consists of a long vertical movement of the arm from head to around the navel ("In the name of God...", then from one shoulder to the other ("... and Spirit."). In this way, the gesture is said to symbolise both the divine (vertical) nature of God and His humanity as Eliyahu (the horizontal gesture).

Festivities[]

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