Teduism

Teduism is a monotheistic religion founded on the teachings of Marco de Teduis, who is believed by Teduists to be the son of God sent to earth to defeat evil and save the world. The religion originated in the 1st century AD in the region of Arafors and was initially an Arfrey sect with Paxist influence. Marco de Teduis was betrayed by one of his followers, Pino, and was imprisoned and executed, but he returned to life three days later and founded the Most Holy Basilea of the Creator Lord and His Divine Son in Phoxia. Teduism was eventually made the official religion of the Optian empire in 321 CE, ending centuries of persecution.

Teduist beliefs include the creation of the universe by God, the existence of the Lord Kingdom ruled by God, the concept of the Trilogy (comprised of the Father, the Son, and the Primordial Spirit), the role of Marco de Teduis as the son of God and savior of humanity, and the importance of faith, hope, and love. Teduists also believe in the existence of evil in the form of Crono and the power of prayer to combat it. The Címeno, a sacred text considered to be divine revelation, is central to Teduist beliefs and practices. The Teduist church is led by the Basile, who is considered the successor of Marco de Teduis and the head of the global Teduist community.

The majority of Teduist believers are located in the Federal Republic of Phoenixia, a country located in the central-northern region of Arcturia. Phoenixia was also the birthplace of Teduism, and is home to the headquarters of the Basilea, the holy institution that guides and oversees the Teduist religion.

Etymology

According to the Third Act Verse 26, the term "Teduist" (Thedeós), meaning "followers of Teduis" in reference to Marco's disciples, was first used in the city of Tola by the pagan inhabitants there. The earliest recorded use of the term "Teduism" (Thedeóismós) was by Community Father Jake of Tola around 101 AD.

History

Teduism originated in the 1st century AD as a blend of Arfrey and Paxist influences. Marco de Teduis, the founder of Teduism, established an early Teduist community in Tola while in self-exile from his hometown to avoid persecution. He traveled throughout the central-southern coast of Arafors, preaching and spreading the teachings of Teduism.

However, Marco de Teduis was eventually betrayed by one of his closest followers, Pino the infamous, who accused him of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of the Cosmos and the final prophet of the universe, continuing the line of truth from the prophet Iasius. Marco de Teduis was subsequently captured and imprisoned with several of his faithful companions, including John, Julius, Robert, and Alexander.

At the age of 42, Marco de Teduis and his companions were publicly hanged in a summary execution orchestrated by officials of the Optian empire and suggested by the council of Arfrey priests. However, according to Teduist teachings, Marco de Teduis rose from the dead and began to haunt the souls of the priests and Emperor Valerian the Great. He then met with the remaining believers and founded the Most Holy Church of the Creator Lord and His Divine Son in Phoxia city, before ascending to heaven.

For many centuries, Teduists were persecuted and forced to seek refuge in underground tunnels and sewers. In 321 CE, Teduism was declared the official and only religion of the Optian empire by the will of Emperor Charles, marking the end of persecution and the beginning of a prosperous socio-cultural revival in the empire.

Beliefs

Creation Myth

The universe was created after the division of darkness and light, good and evil. According to the Teduists, Urth was formed 20,000 years ago, to be populated by the living, grouped into different ethnic groups, species and peoples.

The Cimeno does not provide precise information, to be able to identify a precise time but according to some scholars, the world is 10 to 20 thousand years old.

Spirit Duality

According to the supreme Teduist doctrine, the world is founded on a constant struggle between two spirits, called Rasei. The first called Koi, represents goodness and light, the one that inspires benevolent and respectful actions. While the second, called Chron, symbolizes darkness, ignorance and evil, which leads people astray and corrupts them from the right choices, leading to violence and abuse.

Herbert de Teduis

According to the Acts, Marco de Teduis was born in the city of Tola, in the region of Arafors, to a family of devout religious. He was raised in a religious household and is said to have exhibited exceptional spiritual gifts from a young age. As a young man, Marco de Teduis is said to have received divine revelation and began preaching the message of Teduism throughout Arfrey and the surrounding regions.

His teachings and miracles attracted a large following, and he is said to have performed many healings, exorcisms, and other miraculous acts. Despite facing persecution from the authorities and some members of the religious establishment, Marco de Teduis remained steadfast in his faith and continued to spread the message of Teduism.

Teduis Life

He was begotten by God the Father, through the miracle of conception from the Rock, a term used in ancient times to refer to a virgin.

According to a series of research and theological studies, the Most Holy Mother can be identified in the character of Amelia, which means harmony / love, a woman born around the first century before the common era, in an unnamed village located in the northern part of the ancient region of Arafors; she was engaged to a certain Guglielmo, descendant of the prophet Iasius, and who will be the semi-adoptive father and teacher of the Prophet and son of God, Marco de Teduis.

In the tenth step of Act Two, it is said that the virgin saw in a dream the Primordial Spirit informing her that she was pregnant and was to conceive the Son of God. She was told not to speak to anyone for the duration of the pregnancy except for William, John, prophet and father of William and Alice, wife of John, mother of William and Jimmy the Blessed.

The fourteenth step mentions that after giving birth Amelia, John and William moved towards the north-east, according to the orders of God the Father reported by the Primordial Spirit.

Little is said in the acts of Marco de Teduis' childhood, apart from his curious and attentive vocation for religion and strong relationship with his mother but nothing more.

Around the age of twenty, Marco manifests the will to discover the existential truth and begins to follow seminars, which will lead him to become a parish priest of his community.

However, his experience in the Church of Arfrey does not convince him, on the contrary, in the first steps of Cìmone it is stated that Marco was beginning to express doubts about the divine existence, and that in some moments he was close to becoming an atheist.

One day, returning from the temple in his hometown, he senses a strange presence which urges him to go to a nearby underground cave. There the Primordial Spirit appears to him in the form of an old army general, Marco experiences a mixture of anguish and surprise; incredulous of what he is observing, he asks the general who he is, the Primordial Spirit comforts him and tells him that he was sent by the solemn and most high God.

While Marco is contemplating what he has just heard, the Primordial Spirit transforms into a halo of light that illuminates the cave revealing some writings:

You are the favorite son of the Lord , on you God has placed the destinies of the living of the Cosmos, your duty to save the world from primordial evil, Cronus, spreading the ultimate truth and bringing creatures back to the Right Path.

After this life-changing revelation, Mark regained his trust in God and began his preaching work among the lowly classes and slaves. He performs miracles with divine grace; he heals the sick, resurrects the dead, and converts his opponents. These teachings, which in addition to the miracles include quotations, questions and affirmations, were collected after the death of Teduis in the first act, considered the first chapter of the Cìmone.

He begins to gather a discreet following among the members of his community, the ultimate truth of the cosmic master, the todicea, begins to generate concerns among the Arfrey priests and the pagans, who plot his death.

The Primordial Spirit appears to Marco and warns him to get away from the city so as not to be hanged by sinners. Teduis gathers his circle and sets off on a journey to the south-central coast of Arafors.

Scriptures

Cìmone

The Címeno is a sacred text central to Teduist beliefs and practices.The Címeno contains the history of the universe, as well as guidance for the faithful on how to live a righteous and spiritual life following the Koi Spirit. The Címeno is revered by Teduists as a holy and sacred text and is often used in Teduist religious ceremonies and rituals.

Interpretation of scriptures

Texts like the Acts have always required interpretation and that there are often multiple views and approaches to understanding them. This is particularly true when it comes to texts like the Acts, which have been studied and analyzed by different schools of thought over time.

When interpreting texts like the Acts, scholars often rely on two main approaches: literal interpretation and allusive interpretation. When interpreting a text literally, scholars take it at face value and try to understand its meaning based on the words and phrases used in the text. Allusive interpretation, on the other hand, involves looking for deeper meanings and symbols within the text, and trying to understand how it relates to broader themes and ideas.

Both literal and allusive interpretation can be useful for understanding texts like the Acts, and it is important for scholars to consider both approaches when trying to gain a complete understanding of the text. By considering multiple viewpoints and approaches to interpretation, scholars can gain a deeper understanding of texts like the Acts and the ideas they contain.

Practices

Tauroctony

Tauroctony is an essential part of the process of becoming a Theduist. The Tauroctony is often depicted in Teduist art and is considered a powerful symbol of faith, believed to represent the triumph of good over evil

During the initiation rite, candidates for Teduism are required to participate in a ceremony which involves the re-enactment of the Tauroctony. This may involve the use of symbolism, such as the depiction of the creator god and the bull, as well as other elements that are considered central to Teduist beliefs and practices.

The Tauroctony is considered a deeply meaningful and significant ritual within Teduism, and those who participate in it are expected to approach it with respect and reverence. By participating in the Tauroctony and embracing its symbolism, candidates for Theduism demonstrate their commitment to the faith and their desire to become part of the Theduist community. Sick people, travellers, pregnant women are exempt from Tauroctony.

Tauroctony is a fundamental process in the Teduistic religion but it must be carried out with the consent of the believer, if the practice is done under duress or pressure, it is considered void. Those who renounce the Tauroctony can still be part of the religion by following other rites.

Contemplation

Contemplation of the world involves observing and reflecting on the beauty and complexity of the natural world, and considering the role of the divine in creation. This may involve spending time in nature, observing the world around oneself, and considering the ways in which the divine is present in the world. It also involve considering the ways in which one can contribute to the well-being of others and to the greater good of society.

Interior meditation involves turning inward and focusing on one's own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This may involve practices such as mindfulness, self-reflection, and prayer.

Through the practices of contemplation of the world and interior meditation believers can connect with others and contribute to the greater good of society, helping to create a sense of community and purpose. In addition, these practices can promote personal growth and development, helping believers to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and to cultivate inner peace and contentment. In this way, contemplation of the world and interior meditation serve as valuable tools for Teduist believers seeking to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Organization

At the top of the Teduist hierarchy is the Basile, who serves as the spiritual leader of the community and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the faith. The Basile is assisted by a council of Klericas (Spiritual Directors), who are responsible for overseeing the spiritual needs of their respective regions and for providing guidance and direction to local Teduist communities.

Below the Klericas are the Urban Teachers, who are responsible for leading local Teduist communities and for ministering to the spiritual needs of individual believers. In addition to the Urban Teachers, there are also Counselors, who serve as assistants to the Teachers and are responsible for a variety of tasks such as helping to lead services, teaching religious education, and performing other duties as needed.

At the bottom of the Teduist hierarchy are the lay believers, who are responsible for living out the teachings of Teduism in their daily lives and for supporting the spiritual needs of the community.

This revised hierarchy places emphasis on the roles of the Klericas and Urban Teachers, who are responsible for providing spiritual guidance and direction to the community, as well as the Counselors, who serve as assistants to the Teachers and help to minister to the spiritual needs of believers. The lay believers also play an important role in supporting the spiritual needs of the community and living out the teachings of Teduism in their daily lives.

Basile

Basile elections

In the Teduist global community, the Klericas are responsible for electing the Basile, who serves as the supreme leader of the community. The process for electing the Basile is typically a formal and structured one, and involves a number of steps and requirements.

One of the key requirements for being eligible for the position of Basile is that the candidate must be a Klericas. This ensures that the person chosen to lead the community has a deep understanding of Teduist theology and practice, and is able to provide spiritual guidance and direction to the community.

In addition to being a Klericas, there are typically other requirements that must be met in order to be eligible for the position of Basile. For example, the candidate may be required to have a certain level of education, training, or experience in Teduist ministry. The candidate may also be required to demonstrate strong leadership skills and a commitment to the mission and values of the Teduist community.

Once the requirements for eligibility have been established, the process of electing the Basile typically involves the Klericas coming together to discuss and evaluate the various candidates. The Klericas may consider factors such as the candidate's personal and professional qualifications, their vision and goals for the community, and their ability to lead and serve the community effectively. After careful consideration, the Klericas will ultimately vote to determine the new Basile.

Overall, the process of electing the Basile in the Teduist global community is very important, designed to ensure that the person chosen to lead the community is well-equipped to serve the spiritual needs of the community and to provide guidance and direction for the future of the faith.

Basilea

The Basilea is the supreme institution that guides and oversees the Teduist religion. It was founded by Teduis himself, who established the Basilea as the supreme authority on matters of doctrine and practice within the faith.

The Basilea is responsible for preserving and promoting the teachings and traditions of Teduism, as well as for providing spiritual guidance and direction to believers around the world. To fulfill these responsibilities, the Basilea is organized into a hierarchical structure, with the Basile serving as the supreme leader of the community and a council of Klericas (Spiritual Directors) assisting in the oversight of the faith.

Overall, the Basilea is an important institution within the Teduist faith, and plays a vital role in preserving and promoting the teachings and traditions of the religion, as well as in providing spiritual guidance and direction to believers around the world.

Congresses

First Congress

At the first Teduist Congress, the holiness of Marco de Teduis and the significance of his resurrection were central topics of discussion. The Congress affirmed the belief that Teduis was a sinless and holy man who willingly suffered and died for the salvation of humanity, and that his resurrection was a victory over death and evil and a sign of God's love and grace.

The Congress also addressed the role of Teduis' resurrection in the forgiveness of sins, affirming that through faith in Teduis and his sacrifice, believers can receive forgiveness for their sins and be reconciled to God. However, this forgiveness is not automatic or unconditional, and requires the individual's repentance and willingness to follow the teachings of Teduism.

The first Teduist Congress ultimately reaffirmed the central importance of Teduis and his resurrection in Teduist theology, and emphasized the hope and inspiration that these beliefs offer to believers around the world.