Codex of Rites

## Anointment of the Faithful

In Thalassian culture, the Quel’dorei aspire to be high and righteous, like that of the sun. It is a common practice, commonly used for when the Knights of the Silver Hand and associate Warriors venture outside the safety of home - they are anointed to be successful, strong and powerful like that of the Sun (or Belore.)

* If the Rite of Anointing is to be done following the liturgy, a bowl is prepared on the altar with blessed energies or waters from the Sunwell. (If beyond Quel’Danas blessed Oils would be of substitute.)
* The oil may then be divided into several other bowls and given to Priests and above for anointing.
* Each minister then anoints the brow of the kneeling lay person using these or similar words:

*"Through this holy anointing may the Light purify your thoughts, actions and being as a whole. Aspire and succeed, Anar'alah Belore, May it be so. ”*

## Rite of Penance

1. In the Church of the Holy Light, Confession is only done by a member of the Priesthood and through special exceptions, a Knight of the Silver Hand. Clergy given the training to give confession must take the role of a Confessor seriously, giving no judgement aside from the benefit of the penitent.

a. Only a Bishop or High-Priest can train Knights to give Confession, with the permission of the Sovereign or Auxiliary Bishop.
i. These Knights would then be given the title Confessor
b. An active roster of Confessors must be kept up to date.
2. Steps:

a. The Confessor begins the rite of Penance (or Confession) with an opening statement:
i. *“You have entered sanctuary, to shed off the taint of the world. Understand that all of our bodies are sanctuaries while our hearts are it’s altar. Know that our actions and thoughts can taint that which is sacred.. If you truly wish for peace and redemption, then bring all things to that same altar. This which includes your most hidden iniquities. Confess your sins and allow them to fade away through the deep abyss of the Light’s acceptance and love.”*
ii. The penitent then offers his or her confession. With each sin, the Confessor should listen and pay special attention to the degree in which each sin have been committed. In doing so, the Confessor should question the penitent if necessary.
iii. Following the confession, the Confessor assigns a penance to the penitent intended to be a means to offer amends for the offenses occurred. The penance should be fitting for the sin acted upon.
vi. Once the penance have been acknowledged, the Confessor would then absolve the penitent by anointing the brow with blessed oil or Sunwell waters and saying:
*“I absolve you of your iniquity; to sin you are a slave no longer… Let not the taint of the world corrupt our humble sanctuaries. Go my child, and sin no more. ”*

## Rite of Purification

1. If a member the faithful has abused that of the arcane (or even Fel corruption), the Clergy are tasked with purge and balance of the elf.
a. The triangular box in the rite are to entrap the person and insure their safety as well as the Clergy’s.

2. Steps:

a. Chains sequenced out of Holy energy would be drafted and used to subdue the partisan of the ritual. Wrapping and bounding their limbs to together into the floor.
b. Three members of the Clergy would gather around the elf in a triangle, waving their hands as they created a box out of Light energy that would go several dozens of feet high.
c. The leading Clergyman would then begin the ritual with a prayer, waving his free hand that isn’t channeling the box, creating a spiral of Light that would envelope It’s target.
*“O’ Holy Light, envelope this faithful and bless them with your gracious rays. Forgive them of their faults and lend your aid in their dire need.”*
d. The next Clergyman would also wave his hand, creating a spiral of Light that would envelope and seep into the skin of the target. The Light would find the source of “corruption” that was taking hold of the victim. Saying a prayer as he was channeling such energies.
*“Praise be the Holy Light, may your gracious rays take hold of the shadows that wish to take hold of this elf. Cast away that which conflicts with us, allowing the faithful to drift to you, O’ Holy Light.”*
e. The Last Clergyman would then create the last spiral of Light that would then shoot into the chest of the elf. Grasping and clenching onto that which lies inside the sanctuary. The Light would then pull forcefully at the corruption, as it slowly tears from the body of it’s host. While they would be shouting said prayer.
*“O’ Holy Light, protect our faithful against the evil and wicked. Cast away the demons which attempt to take hold of us. Give us your wisdom and strength to combat these forces.”*
f. Once the corruption would be tethered by all three spirals of holy light, the priests could then drastically change the size of the triangular box. Moving it specifically around that which was the corruption.
g. The Lead Clergyman would then clench his fists as he said:
*“I cast thee away, in the name of the Holy Light! Begone servant of the wicked!”*
h. The last two would also clench their fists and all three would say *“May it be so”* as the box would spin and purge away the corruption and the end result would be a mist of Light fading away.

## Rite of Consecration

a. Only once a Squire has completed the approved curriculum under the tutelage of a Knight may they be eligible for their Knighthood.

b. If a Squire is deemed eligible by their Knight, the Round Table will review the Squire in question and decide to proceed with the Knighting, or assign more training and education if the Squire requires such.

c. The Knighting ceremony is held at Uther's Tomb. Any may attend.

d. The Squire to be knighted is first outfitted with all regalia of their chosen path, save for weapons, tabard and pauldrons. They will then kneel before the steps leading up to the Tomb.

e. The consecrating Bishop or High Priest will stand at the top of the steps, with a priest at their left holding a Tabard of the Silver Hand, and the Highlord on the right. The consecrating Bishop or High Priest begins:

1. *"In the Light, we gather to empower our [brother/sister]. In its grace, [he/she] will be made anew. In its power, [he/she] shall educate the masses. In its strength, [he/she] shall combat the shadow. And in its wisdom, [he/she] shall lead [his/her] brethren to the eternal rewards of paradise."*

1. *"Clerics, bestow your blessings upon your [brother/sister]."*

f. Clerics then will bless the kneeling Squire.

g. The cleric on the left will bring forth the Tabard of the Silver Hand, and drape it over the Squire's head. Then, the Cleric will anoint the Squire's brow with holy oil in the shape of the Sigil of Faol and say:

1. *"By the grace of the Light, may your brethren be healed."*

h. The consecrating Bishop or High Priest will turn to the Knights of the Silver Hand once the Cleric has returned to the audience.

1. *"Knights of the Silver Hand, if you deem this [man/woman] worthy, place your blessings upon [him/her]."*

i. The Chapter Master shall place the Hammer of the Order before the kneeling Squire.

j. The Squire's Knight shall come forth and set upon the Squire's shoulders, the pauldrons of their Path, and say:

1. *"By the strength of the Light, may your enemies be undone."*

k. The consecrating Bishop or High Priest resumes:

1. *"Arise and be recognised,"*

l. The Squire shall rise, without grasping for the Hammer. The vows begin:

1. *"Do you, [name], vow to uphold the honour and codes of the Order of the Silver Hand?"*
	1. *"I do."*
2. *"Do you vow to walk in the grace of the Light and spread its wisdom to your fellows?"*
	1. *"I do."*
3. *"Do you vow to vanquish evil wherever it may be found, and protect the innocent with your very life?"*
	1. *"By my blood and honour, I do."*

m. The consecrating Bishop or High Priest addresses the clerics and paladins;

1. *"Brothers and sisters - you who have gathered here to bear witness - raise your hands and let the Light illuminate this [man/woman]."*

n. Those gifted with the Light raise their right hands and bestow blessings and auras upon the Squire. If the blessings take, the Squire takes their Hammer up. The consecrating Bishop or High Priest then speaks;

1. *"Arise, [name] the [postnomial], paladin defender of Quel'Thalas.**(If not a high elf, as in special circumstances, replace Quel'Thalas with Azeroth)** Welcome to the Order of the Silver Hand."*

o. The Squire shall then raise their primary armament skyward, and cry the words of the Chapter:

1. *"For the Light!"*

p. The Chapter joins in with the cry.

q. Once it abates, those of the Diocese of Quel'Danas and the Chapter of Quel'Thalas come forward to the new Knight. The Bishop / Order Lector, bearing a vial of the Sunwell's waters, allows each to take a droplet upon their finger and anoint upon the new Knight's brow, recognising them to serve the Holy Land and as such, saying:

1. *"Dor alsu'a."*

r. The former teacher may then regale those assembled with stories from the Squireship, explaining why their specific postnomial was chosen.

s. In conclusion, the Bishop / Order Lector shall give a blessing of gratitude and safe travels to those assembled, before ending the ceremony.

## Rite of Ordination

1.The ordaining Bishop or High Priest questions the candidate by saying:

*"My son(daughter), before you proceed to the order of the Sunwell presbyterate, declare before the people your intention to undertake the office. Are you resolved, with the help of the Holy Light, the grace of the Sunwell and the wisdom of your ancestors, to discharge without fail the office of the priesthood in the presbyteral order of the Sunwell as a conscientious fellow worker with the bishops in caring for the people of the world?"*

Response: "I am."

2.The ordaining Bishop or High Priest would continue in question, saying:

*"Are you resolved to celebrate the mysteries of the Light faithfully and religiously as the Church has handed them down to us for the glory of the Light and the sanctification of its people?"*

Response: "I am."

3. The ordaining Bishop or High Priest would continue in question, saying:

*"Are you resolved to exercise the ministry of preaching worthily and wisely, teaching and explaining our faith?"*

Response: "I am."

4. The ordaining Bishop or High Priest would continue in question, saying:

*"Are you resolved to consecrate your life to the Light for the sanctification of its people, be anointed by the Sunwell to serve incandescently, and to unite yourself more closely to every day to the most holy Light who shines upon us willingly at all times of our lives?"*

Response: "I am, with the help of the Light."

5. The candidate and the ordaining bishop or High Priest join hands and the they question the candidate, saying:

*"Do you promise respect and obedience to me(your ordinary) and his(her) successors?"*

Response:"I do."

6. The ordaining Bishop or High Priest then calls on those present to pour out the gift of the light upon the candidate:

*"Brothers and sisters, you who have gathered here to bear witness, raise your hands and let the Light illuminate this man(woman)."*
7. Those present extend their own power of the Light into the ordinand. Then, a Priest who has been beneficial in the formation of the ordinand comes forward to vest the ordinand in the ceremonial garments of the priest. The ordinand then kneels as the ordaining Bishop or High Priest prays:

*"Hear us, most holy Light and pour out on this servant of yours the blessing of the virtues and the grace and power of the priesthood. In your sight we offer this man(woman) for ordination: support him(her) with your unfailing compassion."*
All: "May it be so."
8. The ordaining bishop or High Priest takes a vial of the Sunwell waters, and anoints the brow of the candidate, recognising them to serve on the Holy Isle, and saying;

"Dor alsu'a."
9. The ordaining bishop then tells the ordained to rise.

*"Aranal, [name], Priest of the Holy Light."*

i. (Use the word Rise if in Stormwind)
## Rite of Blessing of Oil

**The rite of Blessing of Oil exists in two parts. First, there is the exorcism of the oil and then the proper blessing.**

**The Exorcism:**

1. The Priest would wave their hand over a prepared bowl of oil, Light funneling from their palm as it entered into the oil, speaking as they do so.

“I cast out the Shadow from you, in the name of the Holy Light. May you be purified oil, empowered to consecrate all upon which you are used.”

**The Blessing:**

2. The Priest would then wave over the exorcised bowl of oil, circling around it as the Light fogged over the oil. Speaking a blessing to the purified oil.

“O’ Holy Light, who for the consecration of your faithful, deigned that the fruit of the olive may anoint your servants, graciously pour forth your blessing upon this oil. that it may be used to sanctify all that it anoints."

## Rite of Blessing of Water

**The rite of Blessing of Water exists in two parts. First, there is the exorcism of the water and then the proper blessing.**

**The Exorcism:**

1. The Priest would wave their hand over a prepared bowl of water, Light funneling from their palm as it entered into the oil, speaking as they do so.

"Thou creature water, I cast out the shadow from you in the name of the Light. May you be purified water, empowered to drive after all power of darkness, in fact, to root out and banish all shadow from the world."

**The Blessing:**

2. The Priest would then wave over the exorcised bowl of water, circling around it as the Light fogged over the water. Speaking a blessing to the purified water.

"O Light, who for man's welfare established the most wonderful power to cleanse in the substance of water, harken to our prayer, and pour forth your blessing on this water. May all that is sprinkled with this water be purified from every taint of darkness."

## Vows of Confirmation

a. A member of the Grand Alliance who wishes to take the path of the Silver Hand must take up these vows before members of the Silver Hand.

b. They who wish to take up the path of the Silver Hand must kneel before the steps to the altar, reciting these words:

"Here, in the presence of eternal champions, I take this sacred oath:

To protect the weak, uphold justice, and walk the righteous path.

I pledge my life to the Order of the Silver Hand.

And join my brothers and sisters in humble service.

With this vow, I am reborn, a warrior of Light."

c. Upon completion, a witnessing Knight of the Silver Hand must bestow their blessing upon the kneeling party, before they may rise.

c. Stand, ascend the steps up towards the altar, and claim your Armaments of the Light.

d. Once garbed, they then begin upon the path of Aspirancy.