Temple of Vasilios

## Description

The Temple is one of the two factions that rule the Empire of Vasilios, along with the Imperial Family. It consists of ordained ministers and priests who perform religious rituals and appeal to the Guardian Deity. At the head of the Temple is the Pope of Vasilios, who performs the highly-anticipated annual Yearly Prayer. The Temple uses divinity, a gift bestowed by the Guardian Deity, to maintain stability within the empire. Despite the division of power, the Temple and the imperial family have an ongoing feud that spans over many years.

## The Yearly Prayer

Every year, the citizens of Vasilios gather at the Temple. On the day of the Yearly Prayer, the Pope grants a chosen representative, usually the Crown Princess, the Sacred Relic and allows him or her to enter the Temple. This individual prays on behalf of the kingdom at the statue of the Guardian Deity for another prosperous year for the Vasilios Empire. To prevent corruption of holy grounds on such an important day, no other person is allowed to set foot in the Temple during the Yearly Prayer.

## Sacred Relic

This item is worn by the representative of the Vasilios Empire on the day of the Yearly Prayer. It is a white cross strung on a fine, golden chain. It acts as a medium to contact the Guardian Deity of Vasilios.

## Guardian Deity of Vasilios

The Guardian Deity of Vasilios is a sacred entity that oversees the empire and its citizens. Within the Temple, a statue is erected in the middle of a fountain, depicting a winged being holding a mirror. Below that is the head of a cherub. Once a year, it is called upon on the day of the Yearly Prayer by a representative of the empire and grants a wish.

## Attire

While visitors of the Temple may wear appropriate clothing of their choice, priests of the Temple are generally dressed in flowing robes of white and gold. The Pope of Vasilios is seen wearing a traditional biretta and holding a large crosier. On the day of the Yearly Prayer, the chosen representative of the kingdom is draped in white and gold fabrics and presented the Sacred Relic before entering the Temple. Knights that protect and serve the Temple wear imperial robes of white and blue.

## Members

*This list is truncated down to only known members of the Temple.*

## Trivia

* Many medieval European empires had a division of power between its reigning monarchs and the Catholic Church. The evolution of shared power between church and state during this era influenced cultures of developing worlds and shaped the western world.

## Gallery

The Temple groundsThe statue of the Guardian Deity of VasiliosThe fountain inside the Temple where the statue of the Guardian Deity is erected.The back entrance into the Temple.The key to the back entrance of the Temple.The Pope of Vasilios that leads the Temple.The sacred relic that is worn by a chosen representative on the day of the Yearly Prayer.Underneath the Temple where holy artifacts are kept.The high priests of the TempleThe chapel within the Temple
## References

1. ↑ Episode 7
2. ↑ Episode 8
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Episode 2
4. ↑ Episode 14
5. ↑ Episode 36
6. ↑ Church and state in medieval Europe - Wikipedia