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'''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
==History==
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Miroslav began proselytizing the next year in 240, traveling first through the lands of his people, the [[Volkiplemeni]], before moving on to the lands of the [[Yekarians]]. Both the Volkiplemeni and Yekarians seemed to welcome the change in Yelena's role in Volkian paganism from a minor star-god to the primary god. Miroslav continued his work, preaching the word of Yelena and helped lay the foundation of the basic Lunarist beliefs still in place today. Sometime in late 247, Miroslav was preaching in an [[Orlikians|Orlikian]] village when he was attacked by a group of men who took offense to Miroslav's teachings. He was beaten and taken into the forest outside the village, where he was hanged from a tree. Some writings described the appearance of two bright lights that took the shape of two wolves after Miroslav was killed, and exacted vengeance on Miroslav's attackers.
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
=== Foundation ===
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.
The church would prove fruitful to the Five Followers and the number of Lunarists continued to grow. Lunarism's foothold in central Volkia helped it spread throughout western [[Itur]] due to migrations to the coast, leading to an explosion in the number of followers. As they aged and Lunarism's numbers grew, the Five Followers became a dominant force in the fledgling religion. In 277, they came together and officially formed the Elder Council (Совет старейшин, ''Sovet stareyshin'') and created the position of High Elder (Высокий Старший, ''Vysokiy Starshiy''), which they then selected Yeva to be the first High Elder.
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
==Organization==
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=== Parishes and eparchies ===
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
Eparchies are then divided into parishes, each with one or more priests, deacons, or lay ministers. The parishes are responsible for the day to day celebration of Lunarist beliefs and pastoral care of the laity. As of 2020 there are 128,539 parishes worldwide.
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The Elder Council was established in 277 and consists of five Elders (Старшая, ''Starshaya'') and Yeva was elected to be the first High Elder. The Elder Council is responsible for governing the Lunarist Church when the Council of Bishops is out of session. The Elder Council is chaired by the High Elder, who is the head of the worldwide Lunarist Church. When the Council of Bishops is in session, the Elder Council has permanent seats and may participate in votes and debate in regards to matters of faith, morality, rite, and canonical and cultural life. The High Elder chairs Council of Bishop sessions. Elders remain on the Council until their death, resignation, or removal by the Council of Bishops.
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.
The current makeup of the Elder Council is as follows:
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=== High Elder ===
The High Elder is the worldwide head of the Lunarist Church. When elected, the High Elder also becomes archbishop for the Metropolitan of Volkgoroda
The High Elder is elected by secret ballot by the Council of Bishops. A list of candidates is drawn up by the Council of Bishops and then voted on. A candidate for High Elder must be no younger than 45 and must have "extensive theological education, knowledge of eparchial administration, and be of good moral character."
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=== Miroslav ===
=== Angels ===
Eva and Avraam - meet those who die and deliver Yelena's judgment
=== Salvation ===
=== Death and the afterlife ===
Lunarists view death as the end of worldly life and the beginning of afterlife. Lunarists believe in "good" and "bad" deaths. A person dies a "good death" at old age surrounded by loved ones, departing when Yelena says they should. Persons who die a "good death" will generally have no problems entering into the afterlife, as Yelena was expecting them. Thus Yelena was able to send Angels Eva and Avraam to fetch their spirits in order to receive Yelena's divine judgment. A "bad death" occurs when a person died too soon, before the time that Yelena assigned to them. These bad deaths could have been caused by the person being murdered, dying by suicide, illness, or in war. Persons who die a "bad death" have a higher chance of becoming a restless spirit as Yelena was not ready for them to enter the afterlife and thus it is harder for Eva and Avraam to locate their spirits.
A proper Lunarist funeral is said to be able to reduce the chances a person's spirit becomes restless, as the rites make it easier for Eva and Avraam to locate the deceased.
Death is accepted as a natural part of the world, and is something that everyone must go through to join Yelena in the afterlife. Lunarists are expected to perform works to benefit their communities in order to be welcomed into the Eternal Forest, which is Lunarism's {{Wp|paradise}}. Helping the poor, sick, and elderly in some way are common works performed by Lunarists to ensure their entry into the Eternal Forest. Failure to perform good works may lead to damnation to the Barren Land, Lunarism's hell.
==== Divine judgment ====
==== Eternal Forest ====
The Eternal Forest (Вечный лес) is paradise. It is described in the Lunar Book as a lush, prosperous realm inhabited by Yelena, Miroslav, Her Angels, and those deemed worthy to enter the Forest by the Angels Eva and Avraam. It is the holiest place in all of Lunarism, and can only be reached with the blessing of Yelena after she passes judgment upon a person's spirit. Those who enter the Eternal Forest are rewarded with peace, prosperity, luxury, and fulfillment. All needs are met in the Eternal Forest, and those who reside there may visit relatives that had passed on prior.
According to scripture, the Eternal Forest does not exist on Urth. Rather, those who die pass on to the spiritual plane to join Yelena.
==== The Barren Land ====
The Barren Land (Бесплодная земля) is the underworld. Described in the Lunar Book as hot, dry, and devoid of life, the Barren Land is where those who are deemed unworthy by Yelena are damned for eternity.
== Practices ==
[[File:Lunarist church.jpg|thumb|
Lunarism's heavy focus on community has shaped its practices for thousands of years.
=== Communal worship ===
Worship services will typically follow a pattern or form known as the Lunarist liturgy. Lunarists will typically assemble on Friday evenings at their local church, however liturgical practices often occur outside of this setting. The church's priest will begin the service by reading from the
==== Full moon services ====
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=== Pilgrimage ===
=== Funerals ===
==Scripture==
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