The Candela Church

*This page includes role-play FANON information, any Canon material will be marked accordingly.*

The **Candela Church** is the largest church within **Lucrezianism.** The Church holds two monastic orders and one knightly order. The Church does not have a single leader, but instead a council lead by the high priests of the kingdoms, the church is active in. Each high priest acts autonomic for their own kingdom.

## Name

The name "Candela" designates from a language that is spoken in the far west and means "light" or "source of brightness." The name was taken to show its devotion towards Lucrezianism as well as justification to be the only orthodox-lucrecian church that truly serves the light.

## History

It is said that one of the soldiers who witnessed the apotheosis of the Emperor Lucrezian followed the Prophet Horan on his journy to preach the faith and later founded the church to maintain it. But the soldier also stated that the true primate and therefor leader of the church is the Emperor Lucrezian. No mortal is dignified enough to hold this title, so the church is de facto lead by the high priests who gather themself at the "Holy Council" to discuss topics and changes, within the church.

## Hierarchy

The high priest serve the duty to "(..) guide the kingdoms through darkness directly to the light (..)," meaning they should advise the leader of the land and make sure they stay loyal to the church. The high priest also have to ensure that the members of the church stay safe and convert people to Lucrezianism and the church. He also holds worship services and organazies festivals in the name of the church. Bishops and Abbots serve the same duty, but for smaller regions like a duchy or a county. Pastors have a little realm of incfluence and only act within a town or village. Priests on the other hand are people who go on a mission in the name of the church and preaches to a small group of people if there isn't a church in that particular region. Priest have to be examined by the church to avoid heretical preachings

## Work

The church holds festivals and worship services, as well as conversion ceremonies. They build churches and monasterys and make sure that its members are protected by the **Order of the Holy Flame**. The Church can delcare holy wars.

### Buildings

The church is responsible for temples and places of worship, which differenciate as chapels, churches, monasterys and cathedrals. While chapels are common in villages or secluded places, churches have their place in towns. Both are lead by pastors of the church, while priests can also preach in chapels when there is no pastor in service. Monasterys are inhabited by monks who try to get as close to "the light" as possible by renounce everything secular. While some monasterys are lead by a prior, abbots can lead a monastery as well. A cathedral shows how big the influance is in the kingdom and also how devout the Lucrezians are there. A cathedral is the perfect place for bishop and high priests to share the word of the Prophet Haron and brighten up the members of the church with the light of Lucrezius.

### Inquisition

The Candela Church recognizes these as infidels (enemys of the faith) or heretics. Infidels and heretics must fear the Order of the Holy Flame, because they are not welcome in the realm that is governd by the church and are persecuted, even tough there are some minor exceptions.

* Radunism
* Novices of Dulacre
* Paganism

### Conversion

While everyone can consider themself Lucrezian, they need to follow a certain ritual to become a member of the church. First, they need to ask cleric if they could perfom the ritual. Every cleric can perform the ritual, even priests. If the cleric agrees, they need to place a candle (or torch) in front of the intrested person where he kneels down. If he do so, the cleric than asks: "*Do you see the light?*" and the intrested person must say "*Yes, I see the light of Lucrezian. He, who truly ascendet into goodhood and holds the holy flame. He, who comes before Radun. He, who will defeat darkness and brighten up the world. He is the one who I will follow. Amen.*" after he cites this passage, he can stand up and will be greated by the cleric with the words "*Now you'll see.*"

### Holy Sites

There are some holy sites in the far west that play an importent role in Lucrezianism and therefore in the church. The sites are protected by the Order of the Holy Flame and must be governd by lucrezian rulers who accepts the church. If that isn't the case, the Council of High Priest might declare a holy war to retake the site for themselfs.

* The Town of Fenrys
* The Town of Tamrya
* The Castle of Conquista

### Holidays

The holidays of the church mostly center around Lucrezius but there are some days that are dedicated to Radun and the prophets as well. The occasion mostly has to do something with the birth or victory of a person who is seen as a saint by the church.

* 31. 03. Day of Ascent
* 01. 10. Radun Festival
* 04. 04. Birth of Lucrezian
* 11. 12. Day of Light