Edict of Culfarran
The Edict of Culfarran is so named after the city in east Erechóreb where it was issued by Priest-King Cubhean in 867 shortly after the morning sacraments of sunrise. The Edict commanded the local Arathracian patriarchs to administer the holy Rites of Arathrax to anyone who came into submission to the same. This historic ecclesiastical law of the Arathracian Religion transformed the institution. Before this time, only persons of Arathracian descent and a few rare provincials thought to be of demi-mortal ancestry were administered the rites of Arathrax. The privilege was extended to all citizens of the Yophenthean Empire. Masters were given the option to choose whether to have the rites administered to their slaves. The edict was the culmination of admitting non-Arathracians into the religion. Before the edict, non-Arathracians were gradually permitted more and more opportunities to participate in peripheral sacraments and observances of the Arathracian Religion. By opening up participation in the rites of Arathrax to non-Arathracian citizens, they were made equal in principle with the Arathracians. In practice, deference continued to be given to the Arathracians and only Arathracians were permitted to hold ecclesiastical office.
The edict was issued with the intention of bolstering solidarity throughout the empire, especially in light of the threat of continued invasions from the skyfaring tribes of the Jaggudorns. A large minority of the high clergy were openly recalcitrant. The military emperor, Gioadh Teachril, supported the edict and no movement in the church came to make practical opposition. Many patriarchs were reluctant to observe the edict for as much fifty years after it was issued.
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