Lunarism: Difference between revisions

'''Lunarism''', also known as the '''Lunarist Church''', is a {{wp|monotheistic}} {{wp|religion}} that has its origins in Volkian paganism. Its followers believe that [[Yelena]] is the creator and protector of the [[lupine]] species. It is the largest of the lupine religions, with roughly 142 million followers, known as "Lunarists." Over half of Lunarists live in [[Volkia]], which is also considered to be the holy land of Lunarism. Lunarism teaches that Yelena is all knowing, merciful, and unique and guides lupines through {{wp|prophets}}, {{wp|scriptures}}, and signs. The primary scripture are the [[KnigiLunar Luny]]Book, which contain both the word of Yelena and teachings from [[Miroslav]], the first messenger of Yelena.

Volkian paganism refers to the religious beliefs, myths, and ritual practices of the ancient lupines that inhabited what is now modern day [[Volkia]]. Volkian pagans believed that the universe was created by Eva and Avraam, Queen and King of the Gods. They then created the planets and the Urth, at which point they sent their children to develop the world. Their children did just that, and established themselves as gods over specific facets of the world.

TheseTheir godschildren went on to create various spirits, which were representedworshipped as lower beings andyet worshippedwere still considered connected to the gods. These spirits included those of waters, forests, fields, households, illnesses, luck, and ancestors. For example, ''Chelovd''y is an important water spirit, believed to distribute fish to fishermen. He was created by Arkadi, who was regarded as god of the oceans. Both the spirits and the gods were worshipped by Volkian pagans.

Volkian pagans also worshipped the star-gods, which were the Moon (Volkian: Луна, ''Luna'') and the Sun (Volkian: Cолнце, ''Solntse''). The former was considered to be Yelena while the latter was her brother, Yegor. They would work in tandem to help the ancient lupines flourish. Yelena was regarded as the dispenser of abundance and health, and highly regarded by Volkian pagans. This high regard would introduce the belief that the moon was actually the Mother of lupines, who would come to be known as Yelena.

Miroslav claimed to have been visited by Yelena several more times throughout his life in order to receive her words which would go on to make up a large part of the KnigiLunar LunyBook.

Miroslav had several close followers that would continue his work after his death in 247. Aleksandr, Aloysha, Dima, Gregori, and Yeva followed Miroslav from 245 until his death, later becoming known as the Five Followers (Volkian: Пять последователей, ''Pyat' posledovateley''). Aleksandr, Dima, and Yeva were Volkiplemeni while Aloysha and Gregori were Yekarians who spread the word of Yelena in their respective lands, meeting every few months in a central location to discuss what they were teaching. Word of Miroslav's death reached the Five Followers in early 248, and they swore to continue spreading the word of Yelena in his honor. They adopted the name Lunarists, showing their devotion to the moon-god Yelena. A Volkiplemeni ruler, Zhenya the Great, commissioned the first Lunarist church in 250 in a village in the area of what is now [[Volkgoroda]]. Zhenya would later lead an army to the village where Miroslav was killed and razed it, killing the male inhabitants and recovering Miroslav's body and interred his remains in the church.

Lunarism would continue to grow in western Itur and was officially adopted as the state religion by the [[Volkia|Grand Duchy of Volkia]] when it was formed in 365. Lunarist priests moved into newly conquered territories as the Grand Duchy expanded, eventually becoming the state religion of both the Grand Principality and later the Kingdom of Volkia. Lunarism replaced Volkian paganism as the primary religion of the [[Volkians]] and remains the primary religion of the lupines.

Individual regions or major cities are served by eparchies, which are overseen by a bishop. Larger eparchies are overseen by several bishops. As of 2020, there are 572 Lunarist eparchies worldwide; with aboutover half lying within Volkia. The bishops of a particular country are members of a national or regional episcopal conference.

When a member of the Elder Council dies, resigns, or is removed from their position, the Council of Bishops convenes to elect a new Elder. The High Elder and their Elder counterparts are forbidden from voting in elections to the Elder Council. AnA sitting Elder may be elected to the High Elder position, at which point anotherthe electioncandidate iswith triggeredthe tosecond-most replacevotes thebecomes promotedan Elder.

* [[High Elder Aleksandr VI]] - Metropolitan of Volkgoroda and Volkgoroda Oblast

The High Elder is the worldwide head of the Lunarist Church. When elected, the High Elder also becomes archbishop for the Metropolitan of Volkgoroda and Volkgoroda Oblast, where they have direct canonical jurisdiction over the Eparchy of Volkgoroda. The High Elder also extensive administrative powers in terms of control over the Church, but cannot single-handedly decide matters of faith or issues concerning the entirety of the Lunarist Church. When the Council of Bishops is not in session, the High Elder works with the Elder Council in order to govern the Church.