Moroz Holy Tribunal
"Our gift is the divine, theirs the mundane"
A rapidly expanding religion that borrows from Abrahamic, Taoist, Buddhist and unathi Sk'ath religious teachings. Worship revolves around a supreme being known as "God" in all languages. The elites of the religion are made up of the Tribunal who commune directly with "God". From their communions, the Tribunal create edicts to be followed by the faithful. Disobeying an edict is met with the death penalty, typically by firing squad or ritual suicide. It is rumored by the faithful that the Tribunal possess psionic powers gifted to them by "God".
Followers of the Tribunal believe that upon death the faithful edict abiding followers are joined with God directly and become part of God. Faithless or "evil" people simply cease to exist upon death. They also believe that it is possible to communicate with the dead through prayer. The Tribunal also believes that malign spirits and demonic entities exist and that their priesthood is gifted with divine powers with which these entities can be fought and beaten.
Though not having a holy book per se the priesthood utilise the "Tribunal Codex" which contains the latest up-to-date edicts and litanies. Priests of the church are allowed to marry.
The Priesthood
Initiate
Initiates are those who have felt the calling of God through the Tribunal. After applying for entry at a temple Initiates undergo an interview which both clarifies if the applicant really wants to join the Tribunal as well as their knowledge regarding the faith and their qualifications. Finally the Initiate undergoes a series of exams. This process usually takes upwards of a month and if the applicant is successful, they are inducted into the Tribunal as an Initiate. And Initiate's life is that of study and general menial work - ranging from clerical office activities and public speaking to manual labour such as maintaining Tribunal facilities. Every year the Initiate is expected to complete a written exam alongside a thesis relating to the faith. This is marked by the Priests. After three years have passed and the Initiate has all three exams and defended their thesis's successfully, then they are inducted into the ranks of the Priests. Initiates are expected to wear white robes or any white clothing and apply red paint around their eyes and ears to represent "watching" and "listening" to lessons taught.
Priest/Priestess
Priests are expected to administer to the faithful and as such are assigned to a position somewhere within or without the Empire to perform religious rites and to watch over the faithful. This is especially important outside the Empire where Priests also act as watch dogs to ensure Dominia citizens are keeping faith. Many Priests choose to branch off into either scholarly or military pursuits. Many Priests believe it is their duty to remain combat effective in defence of the faith and assist military units to this end as Chaplains, where as others further refine the faith through academic study. If a Priest deems them self worthy they can petition the High Priests to enter their ranks. This prospective Priest should be able to demonstrate their advanced knowledge of the faith and their commitment to it through either their academic or militaristic contributions. Friends in high places don't hurt either. If a High Priest chooses to sponsor the applicant then their application will be presented at a yearly meeting of the High Priests and the Holy Tribunes. The High Priests will then vote on who they would like to enter their ranks with the Holy Tribunes holding veto powers over the affair. If the Priest is voted to be raised higher then they will be inducted into the ranks of the High Priests. They are expected to be clad in red and gold robes/clothing and always wear red paint around their eyes with a strip of red paint an inch wide running from their bottom lip to their chin. The red paint around the eyes representing the eyes of the Tribunal and the red paint on the chin the mouth or "words" of the Tribunal. The priests tend to carry staves made of steel clad in carved obsidian or in some cases steel anthames with obsidian blades. The obsidian, though difficult to shape due to its brittleness, is used due to its warding properties - the Tribunal believes it can protect against evil spirits and creatures. It's customary for the priests to powder or paint their faces white however most priests of the Primaries class tend to leave their tanned complexions on show to demonstrate their "superior genetics". Unathi priests also wear red paint around their eyes with the two vertical red lines - around an inch thick - begining on both sides of their muzzle, joining under their "chin". Priests can be of any gender. In recent times there has been a large number of priests heading outside of Dominia space to spread the faith, a large number of which have begun working as Chaplains amongst the Trans-stellar Corporations.
High Priest/Priestess
WIP
Holy Tribune
Numbering four all together, the Holy Tribunes commune directly with God and receive instructions directly from it. On the basis of instructions given they produce new Holy Edicts to be followed by the faithful. They are the supreme authority and wield immense power across the Empire and beyond. WIP
Key Edicts
It's important to note that edicts relate to religious law not state law. Stealing for example is covered by state law, not edicts. Below are some key edicts.
The First Edict: The Tribunals edicts are absolute. Breaking of an edict is punishable by death.
The Second Edict: Praise God in all that you do, and bless those who assist you in your workings.
The Twelfth Edict: All synthetic life forms within Dominia space shall be sought out and destroyed where found.
The Thirty Third Edict: Respect the laws of other Empires but worry not as they shall soon be brought into the Tribunals benevolent reach.
The Thirty Ninth Edict: Those who escape the divine courts judgment must be destroyed where found.
The One Hundredth Edict: Those who escape the divine courts judgment and flee outside Dominia space should be encouraged to return and confess so they might face divine judgment. In death they shall be absolved. It is the duty of all the holy to encourage those that flee to return to us, so that they might be forgiven."
Litanies
The holy litanies tend to be phrases spoken by the faithful of the Tribunal during there day to day lives or by Priests during sermons. They are usually repeated until whatever situation they were spoken for has passed. Key litanies are listed below.
The Litany of Protection
Used when in danger or when about to be put in danger.
God through the Tribunal,
The Tribunal through me,
God protects,
The Tribunal protects,
Thus I am immortal.
The Litany of Concentration
Used when there is a need to focus on a pressing task whilst ignoring distractions. It is to be repeated slowly.
My mind is water,
Guide my thoughts.
The litany is sometimes spoken once and the below then repeated.
Flowing.
Flowing.
The Litany of Combat
Used when in combat or prior to combat.
God gives,
The Tribunal sees,
Thus I keep faith,
Thus I have no fear,
Thus I have no mercy,
Thus I have no regrets.
The litany is sometimes shortened in combat for ease as below.
Only Faith,
No fear,
No mercy,
No regret.