Diocese of the East
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Diocese of the East
Dioecesis Orientis | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Country |  Latium |
| Prefecture | Perateia |
| Government seat | Leonopolis |
| Government | |
| • Body | Executive Council |
| • Prefect | Jacob Aurelius |
| • Count | Andreas Pinarius |
| • Legislature | Assembly of the East |
| Population (2019-6-31) | |
| • Total | number |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+4 (CEST) |
| ISO 3166 code | LA-DO |
| Official languages | Latin, Mysian, Vardanan |
The Diocese of the East (Latin: Dioecesis Orientis; Vardanan: Արևելքի թեմ; Mysian: Διοίκηση Ανατολής), colloquially referred to as Perateia (Vardanan Պերատեիա; Mysian: Περάτεια) or less frequently as Transmaria, is a diocese of Latium. It is the only territory of Latium to span multiple continents, occupying a strategic location spanning the Alcaean Straits, linking the Periclean and Ozeros Seas.
The diocese consists of 5 provinces, including Leonopolis which is coterminous with the city of the same name. It was created a diocese in 1955, previous to that holding the status of a Caesarian province. It is the second iteration of the Diocese of the East, the first being created in the Xth century AD. Its administrative headquarters is located in Leonopolis. Perateia enjoys a degree of autonomy. While Latin is the official language of government in Perateia, Mysian and Vardanan are recognized languages and enjoy equal dignity with Latin.
Perateia, and its surrounding area, have been inhabited by diverse civilizations including the X, Mysians, Vardanans, and successive empires including the ancient Teispids, Latins, Bayarids, and the Mesfid and Almurid Caliphates, and X. From 1444 to 1851 the area served as the capital region of the Kingdom of Vardana, though at times was a tributary of larger neighboring states. Today it is one of the most diverse areas in Latium.
Etymology
The official name of the diocese is the Diocese of the East, named for the ancient Latin territory of the same due to its status as the easternmost province. It is colloquially referred to as Perateia, which comes from Hellenic "ἡ περαία", which translates to "place beyond [the sea]". This name was used in reference to the area around the Alcaean Straits as early as the 3rd century BCE by early Hellenic and Aradian explorers.
History
Geography
The Diocese of the East is located in the eastern Periclean-region, split between northeastern Scipia and southwestern portions of the Chersonian peninsula. The Alcaean Straits, which connects the Periclean Sea and the Ozeros Sea, divides the territory between the Scipian side and the Chersonian side. The Scipian portion of the Diocese consists of rolling plateaus, while the Chersonian side is hilly in general. The area around Leonopolis is the most densely populated.
The Diocese's land area is approximately 179,104 square kilometers including lakes. Roughly 16% of its territory is located on the Chersonian side of the Alcaean Straits.
Climate
The Diocese of the East climate varies from a Periclean climate, humid subtropical climate and oceanic climate. Its coastal, and borderline coastal regions have a Periclean climate that are highlighted by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The Scipian side of the Diocese , while the western borderlands are some of the most commonly dry regions of the territory. Conversely, the Chersonian side has a primarily oceanic climate characterized by moderate temperatures year round, and the absence of a typical dry season.
Government and politics
The Diocese of the East is the largest Latin territory outside of Belisaria proper by area and population. It holds dual status as a diocese and augustal province, which sometimes creates overlap between local governments. The central Latin government and its agencies handle many issues in the Diocese of the East that are considered Imperial competencies, such as foreign affairs, defense, trade, etc.
The Emperor appoints the Count, who is governor of the territory and holds the special title of "Count of the East" (comes Orientis). The Count serves as the monarch's representative in the diocese and plays a key role in local government as head of the Executive Council. He or she resides at Lauseion, in Leonopolis. The Assembly of the East serves as the main deliberative body in the diocese, in which all citizen residents are able to stand for election or vote. Residents are eligible to serve in the Senate, so long as they hold Latin citizenship and meet other requirements to stand for the Senate. Traditionally, a Senator that primarily resides in the Diocese is appointed the Praetorial Magistrate for Perateian Affairs.
The Executive Council determines policy changes and considers legislation before presenting it to the Assembly for voting. The Emperor, through the Sacred Assembly, may also review legislation pending before the Assembly. Until 1997, members of the Eastern Assembly were appointed by the Count of the East. Since then, individuals have been elected to the assembly through semi-proportional party-list; however, the Count may still appoint individuals to the Assembly.
The Diocese of the East maintains its own judiciary, which is subordinate to the Imperial courts. It does not have its own legal code, and instead utilizes Latin law, Latin legal codes, and, in rare instances, Vardanan customary law. There is no court of last resort and any appeals beyond the first level of appellate courts are sent to the Trigintiviral Court for review.
Local governments
The diocese is divided into 10 provinces, which are in turn subdivided into 34 provinces. Prior to 1956, provinces were utilized solely for military and statistical purposes. Following a series of reforms, provinces have the ability to distribute funds to municipalities within their boundaries. Provinces are governed by a viscount (vicecomes). The viscount is appointed by the Emperor and oversees the day to day governance of their respective province. The sole exception is the Viscount of Leonopolis, whose powers are largely oversight to the elected government of the city of Leonopolis, as the province of Leonopolis is coterminous with the city of Leonopolis. Provinces are typically governed similarly to their counterparts in mainland Latium, and are led by an elected or appointed council, alongside an appointed executive officer.
Economy
Demographics
The Diocese of the East is the largest overseas territory of Latium, and one of the most diverse in the country. According to the most recent Imperial census, in 2017, the population of the Diocese of the East is # million people. The largest ethnic group in the territory consists of ethnic Vardanans, who make up nearly 60% of the population. Nearly 11% of all residents are of Hellenic origin, either ethnic Lihnidosi or ethnic Mysian. Latins are among one of the quickest growing groups in the territory, currently consisting of 10% of permanent residents of the area. Other groups present are Ayrumi, Gheiravin, Tashelhitans, and Tigrayitans.
Language
There are three official languages in the territory: Latin, Mysian, Vardanan. All three languages enjoy equal status; however, official government documents are only issued in Latin. The most widely spoken language is Vardanan, while Mysian is the next most widely spoken first-language of residents. Most residents are multi-lingual and have a basic understanding of Latin.
Other minority languages spoke are Ayrumi, Gheiravin, Tashelhit, and Tigrayit.
Religion
As in Latium, the official religion of the Diocese of the East is Fabrian Catholicism, adhered to by nearly 11% of people. However, the overall majority religion is Vardanan Apostolic, adhered to by 57% of the population. Nearly 15% follow the Eastern Orthodoxy. Another 10% identify as irreligious or atheist. Azdarin is the largest non-christian faith in the Diocese, at 5%, while Judaism is followed by almost 2% of the population.
The Apostolic Patriarch of Leonopolis is the historical chief religious authority in the Vardanan Apostolic Church. Since the creation of the Diocese of the East, the Apostolic Patriarch remains the chief authority of the Vardanan church within the Diocese, while the Patriarch of all Vardana is the autocephalous primate in neighboring Vardana.