Arathracianism

From WorldofAsdar
Jump to navigation Jump to search
The eight-pointed Solifix represents the eight points of the sun.

Arathracianism The religion of the Arathracian Churches of the Pallathantic and many Arathracian Sects is called Arathracianism. Although they differ with regard to leadership and some matters of doctrine, Arathracians acknowledge the special mission of Aireánnau Mother of the Folk and her Eight Sons in bringing the power and salvation of the god Arathrax to the world. Sacraments and other practices of Arathracians developed from very ancient beliefs in the third century surrounding Arathrax, Aireánnau, and her eight demi-mortal sons. Arathracians honor a body of Saints whom they recognize as having entered into the afterlife or presence of their god Arathrax. Many of the holy sites for Temples and Chapels have been held so since ancient times and some of which has supplanted earlier heritage sites to the various Isxinthion and pre-Isxinthion gods.. Originally, the religion of Arathrax was practiced only by Yophentheans, particularly the Arathraciots who claimed lineal descendancy from the eight sons of Aireánnau. With the progress of the Yophenthean Empire, foreign princes and their commoner subjects were inculcated with the beliefs of Arathracianism and the doctrine expanded to accept converts from other lands. Today any human can potentially be baptized into the Arathracian Religion.

Artist's depiction of Arathrax driving chariot of the sun

Core Beliefs

  • As Arathrax is the continuation of the sun god, Amrulon, so the human race is the continuation of the divine race
  • The god Arathrax begot eight sons by the mortal maiden, Aireánnau
  • The Arathraciot priests in ancient times taught humans the will and power of Arathrax
  • Arathrax has enabled humans to live in the presence of the sun gods in the life-to-come
  • Sacred rites of washing purifies the spirit and enables one to come to a state whereby it is possible to dwell in the presence of divinity

Arathracian Scripture

Today the most important scriptures of the Erechórebese Arathracian Church are gathered in the Book of Arathrax. Although many modifications have been made the main order of the texts was decided in the eleventh century by the Arathracian Church.

Ancillary Texts

These are texts which are very important to the church, but not deemed sufficiently worthy of inclusion in the Book of Arathrax. They give insight into the core beliefs of Arathracians in ancient times and in modern times.

Instructional Texts

These books are not original sources, but were and are compiled by the church for the use of priests and laity.

Sacraments and Performances

  • Daily Purification by ritual washing in the echteal of the Temple of Arathrax
  • Animal Sacrifice in behalf of the community to the god Arathrax, performed outside of the Temple of Arathrax
  • Rites of Arathrax
  • Temple rites performed at sunrise, sunset, high noon; special versions performed on Winter Solstice, Summer Solstice, Spring Equinox, and Autumnal Equinox
  • Personal Prayers and Temple Prayers
  • Aireannavese Rite
  • Solification of a Saint, performed by the Sunfather and the Arathracian College
  • Anointing of a new priest or an existing priest into a higher office
  • Sollevation of the deceased, today reserved for priests

Arathracian Priesthood

The Arathracian Priesthood is the body of men who are priests of Arathrax in the Church. In the Erechórebese Arathracian Church, they acknowledge the hierarchy supremacy of the Erechórebese Sunfather over the earthly church.

Arathracian Temple

An Arathracian Temple is a great edifice of imposing beauty, essential for many sacraments and performances of the Arathracian Religion. Arathracian Temples have existed since roughly the fourth century.

Arathracian Liturgy

Prescribed worship as a community is performed in Arathracian Temples according to the Arathracian Liturgy for the gonchambadh.

Arathracian Religious Motifs

Arathracian Cycle
  • The Theft of the Golden Horses of the Sun
  • The Rescue of Rhio from the gods of Chaos
  • The defeat of the gods of Darkness
Skiánthran Cycle
Aireannavese Cycle
Erithraigean Cycle
Extra-Canonical
  • Arathrax Rescues Rhio from the gods of Chaos

Chronology of Arathracianism

Ancestral Arathracianism
ca 250 to ca 480, ca 230 years
Begins with Aireánnau Mother of the Folk
Arathrax is tribal god; other gods also important and propitiated.
Also High Mandonism (ca 500’s AI): mystical, philosophical monotheism; Philosophers (Vimalian, Ithatian, Ebinóëse)
High Arathracianism

ca 480 to 867, ca 387 years

ca?, monolotrous/henotheistic

779, Establishment of the Consistory of Erreach
867, Edict of Culfarran, Rites of Arathrax extended to any human who submitted
879: During the reign of the Yophenthean Priest-King Mamarra, the clerics of the church throughout the empire gathered in Aglidice to participate in what became known as the Council of Aglidice and established the Aglidicene Creed which defines the nature of the godhood of Arathrax and the centrality of his mission to the salvation of humans.
Transitional or Imperial Arathracianism

867 to 990, ca 123 years

Begins with Edict of Culfarran, 867
Adaptation of principles from High Mandonism
Ecclesiastical Discord sparks relapse to Old Religion

990, Council of Galtaherra ( Supreme Church Council of Rhafyx )


Ecumenical or Transcendent Arathracianism

990 to ?,

996, Ecumenical Council of Trevirs

1023, Fólmagaline Principle

1083, Bambdringotine Principle

Sources

Primary Source Primary Sources

Secondary Source Secondary Sources

See Also

A
B
C
E
G
H
L
P
R
S