Solar Temple of Our Martyred Lady

The Solar Temple of Our Martyred Lady is one of the Five Great Solar Religions and reveres Phaeronica as a messianic figure and intermediary between humanity and the Divine. They hold to the most literal interpretation of the relationships between the El'yon, Phaerons, and humankind. Sol System is regarded as the spiritual center of the entire cosmos. The El'yon are regarded as actually divine, but not worthy of worship.
== Beliefs ==
Phaeronica is taught to be the literal savior of the human race due to her sacrifice and creation of the eternity circuit. Phaerons, therefore, are believed to be carriers of her actual divine essence; endowed with such power and ability, they must adhere to a strict code of ethics based on Phaeronica's mortal life for the sake of the literal existence of the human race. As such, the Solar Temple only proselytizes Phaerons within the Second Dominion. Each converted and initiated Phaeron is then responsible for maintaining their own lay cultus of sorts through which salvation may be attained for the common layperson.
As the actual number of Phaerons is unknown and theoretically is limitless, it is unknown what percentage of Phaerons are converts.
The 'etheric body' is a core concept of the Solar Temple. It is regarded as the false self. All humans are considered to be born tabula rasa and sin is acquired over time through misunderstanding and misuse of nature. Phaeronica is considered to have shed her etheric body instantaneously as a part of her uniqueness (singularity) while for Phaerons this happens over time. As Phaerons shed this false self, their power increases. Non Phaeron humans, while not in possession of power, are still responsible for shedding their own etheric body and this is accomplished only through bonding with a Phaeron. Thus, according to the Solar Temple, the window of salvation will close once all Phaerons are found and the ritual is performed.
The religion also teaches an apocalyptic eschatology and soteriology: because the age of the universe is finite and limited, humankind will have a definite end along with this universe as we know it and only those who are either a Phaeron or bonded with one will transcend humanity and give birth to deity. Some time before the end of the universe, all Phaerons must gather at a singular place and perform a ritual, constituting the reunification of Phaeronica's soul and the merging of all bound consciousness into a single entity.
== Practices ==
Illumination: the revelation of the Phaeron's true nature, usually accomplished through Solar Temple missionary work but sometimes occurs naturally. The Phaeron will understand that the manifestation of their ability to commune with the Empyrean on a level beyond others is a result of Phaeronica's soul shard having attached to them.
Conversion: the conscious choice of the Phaeron to 'shed the etheric body'.
Sealing: bonding a non-Phaeron believer to a Phaeron, thus assuring their salvation. 
Initiation: after undertaking at least one sealing, the Phaeron is entered into the revelation of the gnosis of the Solar Temple AKA the collected total of Phaeronica's memories.
Dedication: a formal covenant performed in public to fulfill the purpose of the particular memory the Phaeron possesses.
Setting Apart: being chosen by the greater Solar Temple for a task, usually missionary work. There are three types of missions: to find other Phaerons, to make non-Phaeron converts and seal them, and complete a quest in accordance with their Dedication. 
Vicary: Vicarious work done for the dead, because there was no chance for salvation prior to Phaeronica's sacrifice and the construction of the eternity circuit.
Category:Religion
Category:Second Trilogy