Lunarism: Difference between revisions

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==Organization==
==Organization==
Lunarism is organized in a hierarchical structure. The lowest level of organization, which is the head of an individual Lunarist church, the priest (священник, ''svyashchennik''), and its attendees constitute a parish (приход, ''prihod''). The parishes of a geographical region then make up an {{Wp|eparchy}} who are led by a bishop (епископ, ''yepiskop''). Bishops and priests are assisted by deacons (Диаконы, ''Diakony'') in a variety of ministerial and administrative roles. There are 563 Lunarist eparchies worldwide (December 2019). Smaller eparchies may be ruled by only one bishop, while larger eparchies may be ruled by an archbishop (архиепископ, ''arkhiyepiskop'') or have several bishops assigned to it.
Lunarism is organized in a hierarchical structure. The lowest level of organization, which is the head of an individual Lunarist church, the priest (священник, ''svyashchennik''), and its attendees constitute a parish (приход, ''prihod''). The parishes of a geographical region then make up an {{Wp|eparchy}} who are led by a bishop (епископ, ''yepiskop''). Bishops and priests are assisted by deacons (Диаконы, ''Diakony'') in a variety of ministerial and administrative roles. There are 572 Lunarist eparchies worldwide (December 2019). Smaller eparchies may be ruled by only one bishop, while larger eparchies may be ruled by an archbishop (архиепископ, ''arkhiyepiskop'') or have several bishops assigned to it.


The highest level of local authority within Lunarism are the Lunar Councils (Лунный совет, ''Lunnyy sovet''), which comprise of the bishop(s) of an eparchy as well as representatives from the local clergy and laypersons. The Council of Bishops (Собор епископов, ''Sobor yepiskopov'') comprise of the bishops of the eparchies who meet in [[Volkgoroda]] and act as the highest authority in the hierarchical control of the Lunarist Church. The Council of Bishops in turn elect the Elder Council (Совет старейшин, ''Sovet stareyshin''), who serves as the supreme administrative governing body of the Lunarist Church in between meetings of the Council of Bishops. Members of the Elder Council also have permanent seats on the Council of Bishops, but are not allowed to vote in Elder Council elections. The Elder Council serves for life and is chaired by the [[High Elder of the Lunarist Church|High Elder]], who is also elected by the Council of Bishops.
The highest level of local authority within Lunarism are the Lunar Councils (Лунный совет, ''Lunnyy sovet''), which comprise of the bishop(s) of an eparchy as well as representatives from the local clergy and laypersons. The Council of Bishops (Собор епископов, ''Sobor yepiskopov'') comprise of the bishops of the eparchies who meet in [[Volkgoroda]] and act as the highest authority in the hierarchical control of the Lunarist Church. The Council of Bishops in turn elect the Elder Council (Совет старейшин, ''Sovet stareyshin''), who serves as the supreme administrative governing body of the Lunarist Church in between meetings of the Council of Bishops. Members of the Elder Council also have permanent seats on the Council of Bishops, but are not allowed to vote in Elder Council elections. The Elder Council serves for life and is chaired by the [[High Elder of the Lunarist Church|High Elder]], who is also elected by the Council of Bishops.
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=== Parishes and eparchies ===
=== 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 563 Lunarist eparchies worldwide; with about half lying within Volkia. The bishops of a particular country are members of a national or regional episcopal conference.
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 about half lying within Volkia. The bishops of a particular country are members of a national or regional episcopal conference.


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 216,539 parishes worldwide.
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 2136,539 parishes worldwide.


=== Lunar Councils ===
=== Lunar Councils ===
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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."
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."


Aleksandr VI was elected High Elder by the Council of Bishops on July 9, 1999 with 458 votes of 563 and was enthroned July 12, 1999.
Aleksandr VI was elected High Elder by the Council of Bishops on July 9, 1999 with 468 votes of 572 and was enthroned July 12, 1999.


=== Membership ===
=== Membership ===
Lunarism is the largest of the lupine religions with a membership totaling approximately 142 million followers worldwide. Volkia has the highest number of followers with approximately 70 million in 2020.
Lunarism is the largest of the lupine religions with a membership totaling approximately 142 million followers worldwide. Volkia has the highest number of followers with approximately 70 million in 2020.


Lunarist ministers include ordained clergy, lay ministers, and missionaries. At the end of 2018, there were 186,599 ordained clergy including 612 bishops, 224,641 priests, and 185,586 deacons. Non-ordained ministers include 95,715 lay missionaries and 69,026 lay ministers.
Lunarist ministers include ordained clergy, lay ministers, and missionaries. At the end of 2018, there were 410,839 ordained clergy including 612 bishops, 224,641 priests, and 185,586 deacons. Non-ordained ministers include 95,715 lay missionaries and 69,026 lay ministers.


Men and women are viewed equally under Lunarism canonical law and are allowed to hold any position within the Church, regardless of gender.
Men and women are viewed equally under Lunarism canonical law and are allowed to hold any position within the Church, regardless of gender.