Berok Orthodox Church

The **Berok Orthodox Church** is a powerful religious organisation in Berok and is the primary religious institution in the land.

## Pantheon

*Main article see:* Pantheon of Berok

The pantheon of the Berok Orthodox Church consists of a varied amount of Gods each covering a different part of the Six Heavens. The Berokian Pantheon started as a polytheistic pantheon, however in the past 100 to 200 years has switched to henotheism, meaning that one subset of deities are seen as the primary gods while accepting the existence of other deities. In the case of Berok these important deities are Ursun and Ursa. In recent years this development can be seen, especially in the southern cities, in what domains is associated per deity. For example the healing abilities of water of Drovos are often more associated with the protection of Ursa.

What follows is a short list of deities in the Berokian Pantheon, their domain(s), and respective Heaven.

* Ursun and Ursa: Most important deities, representing self-sacrifice and protection. Part of the Heaven of Wood.
* Drovos: Deity associated with the healing abilities of spring water. Heaven of Water.
* Bohora: Mountain goddess associated with safe travel and passage. Heaven of Earth.
* Vusna: God deity of battle, related to the Heaven of Metal.
* Yros: God of cooking, associated with the Heaven of Fire.
* Zidove: God of fertiliy. Heaven of Air.

## History

The Berok Orthodox Church can trace its roots back to even before the existence of Berok, even before the advent of Sveta od Soyka. Back then the 'Church' consisted of individual leaders, each with their own opinions on the Soulstice. This lead to strive with the rulers of the lands then, with many churches joining the strive of Sveta. Their revolt was a success and the members of the most powerful churches gain together to form a bond, which would eventually become the Berok Orthodox Church. Sveta was declared a saint and her bears, Ursun and Ursa were elevated to godhood. Having centralised the church adopted a new power structure favouring the more powerful churches.

The Church grew in power and by the 1600s its a highly autonomous organization within Berok. Having drawn more power to themselves, the church finds itself in conflict with the state of Berok. Who wishes to centralize their power, thereby coming in conflict with the Church. A struggle for power has therefore developed in Berok between the Church and the State, each trying to find legitimacy by the construction of churches, weight houses and other buildings associated with the both. More recently the church has been sending out expeditions to find the ruins of the Church of Sveta the Liberator, which was pillaged down in 895, for who ever finds it first is able to gain significant amount of prestige, piety, and legitimacy for their cause.

## Organisation

The Berok Orthodox Church is mostly an autonomous collective from the state. The hierarchy of the Church is best to be understood from the perspective of the Septarch Council, a group of seven priest, who are some of the most elite and powerful priests in Berok. For they elect the figurehead of the Church, the Svetikňaz often elected from among themself. When it comes to religious matters and even political once the Septarchs hold significant amount of power. The Septarchs are so powerful that they own a whole neighbourhood within Bralutko, with seven grand churches headed by each of the Septarchs. The neighbourhood is furthermore guarded by religious guards loyal the Septarchs and not the Berokian State.

In the past it was common to have each Septarch (apart from the Svetikňaz) be the representative of each of the Six Heavens, no matter which deity they might have favoured before they were elevated to Septarch. However, over the past 100 to 200 years the followers of Ursun and Ursa have segmented themselves firmly and therefore the Twin Gods have become the primary deities. This has led to the Septarchs more often than not to purely represent the Twin Bears, even though they're officially supposed to represent the other heavens.

### Election of a Septarch

Since the Svetikňaz is the first among equals in the Council of Septarchs interesting things can happen when the Svetikňaz dies. For there are now only six people on the council instead of the usual seven the Septarchs find themselves in a pickle. For they have to find a new Septarch and also elected a new figurehead for the Church. This usually leads to long discussion on whether to vote in a new leader first or a new Septarch. Politics are mostly at play when this happens. For example in the past some Councils appointed a new Septarch first, who is loyal to a Septarch already in the Council, who will therefore vote for them as the new Svetikňaz. Other times the Svetikňaz is elected first and then they decide upon the next Septarch often someone loyal to them. However, the churches amongst the rest of Berok themself are also fighting for this power and will make bids using their wealth, promising extra coin to a Septarch or spreading pamphlets riling up the populace hoping to pressure the Council that way.

### Jozefinian Order

*Main article see:* Jozefinian Order

Part of the Berok Orthodox Church is the Jozefinian Order founded by Jozef the Zealous Flame of Pekár in 1450. The Jozefinian Order's primary purpose is the eradication of all vampires within in Berok. The Order was founded in a period that saw increased infiltration from vampiric groups coming from Cainaan. Since the initial founding the Order has grown out to more than just vampire hunters. They seek out all that is unholy in Berok, so that the people can be protected. During the 16th century the Order saw some decline as Cainaan was seen less of a threat, with less funds coming in even from the Church the Order returned to primarily hunting vampires. With each vampire found the Order would receive new steady funding. The Jozefinian Order would see a major revival after renewed renewed aggression, by Cainaan following the Battle of Voletsk Pass, in 1655. New members steadily flocked to the Order and new financial support would allow the Order to become more aggressive (and paranoid) themself. In the pas ten years the revival of the Order has seen the burning of multiple villages, all to drive out the vampires of Cainaan.