Apostolic Church of Themiclesia
| Church of Themiclesia | |
| Classification | Oriental Rite |
|---|---|
| Governance | Episcopal |
| Bishop Metropolitan | TBD |
| Language | Shinasthana |
| Liturgy | Oriental |
| Origin | 6th century |
| Separations | Reformed (1670) |
| Members | 192,400 (2019) |
| Church buildings | 584 |
| Hospitals | 40 |
| Secondary schools | 14 |
| Tax status | Taxable as non-profit |
| Tertiary institutions | 2 |
The Church of Themiclesia (震旦教廷, tjerh-tanh-krawh-lêng) is an autonomous Christian church founded by Maverican theologians who shipwrecked in Themiclesia in the 6th century. It follows the Oriental Rite that is most closely associated with Beniran but distant to Sylvan, Kyrian, and Letnian Orthodox Rites. The doctrine of the Church of Themiclesia is both non-trinitarian and non-Chalcadonian and shows considerable influence from ancient Benirani and Fyrish doctrines and syncretism with domestic beliefs.
The Church rapidly became popular amongst some parts of Themiclesia and achieved official recognition in the late Mrangh court by 701, but it did not displace Buddhism as the quasi-established state religion. In subsequent centuries, recognition was intermittent, and it faced stern competition from missionaries of the Sylvan Church starting in the 14th century and those of the Anglican Church in the 17th. However, it was recognized as the most senior Christian denomination in Themiclesia on account of antiquity in 1712 by Emperor Gwidh-mjen. Once with as many as a million followers, the Church has lost them to both other strands of Christianity and its internal schism in 1670 over the dispute of monotheism. In 2019, the Church has 192,400 registered members who make an annual donation, but regular churchgoers are thought to be fewer.
The Church is led by the Council of Bishops since 1501, which ordains its own members and decides both religious and secular questions. The Bishop of Kien-k'ang is the senior bishop of the Council, but his vote on the Council is equal to all other members.
Doctrine
The doctrine of the Church is set forth by first high priest that landed in Themiclesia as follows:
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Liturgy
In common with other primitive Christian traditions, the Themiclesian Rite divides the service into two parts, the preaching (宣, shor) and the sacrifice or offering (彝, ljir). The preaching, at which all are welcome, focuses on teaching religious doctrine. The offering, restricted to recognized members of the congregation, communicates the substantial parts of the religion through mystic, physical ceremonies. For this reason, Themiclesian commentators call the first part "the promise", and the second, "the delivery".
In modern practice, which has been somewhat influenced by other rites, the typical weekly service proceeds as follows.
- Introit—procession of priests
- Declaration of gratitude—"We are grateful for the Edict of Tolerance (534) and Edict of Restitution (782)."
- Litany—the names of the Saints of Themiclesia
- Hymns
- Prayer
- Torah reading (amen)
- Deuteronomy reading (amen)
- Psalms
- Epistle reading (amen)
- Gospel reading (amen)
- Sermon
- Prayer—"may the word of Christ propagate far from the holy land, farther than Themiclesia, into the four quarters of the earth."
- Clearing of the aisles
- Consecration of the church, hymn
- Confession—"We have not perfectly loved thee, and we have not perfectly loved each other."
- Absolution—"God forgive you."
- Consecration of the congregation, hymn
- Offerings, hymn
- Prayer—"may these worldly possessions and the hearts that give them be made holy in the eyes of God..."
- Consecration of the offerings, hymn
- Consecration of the altar and priest, hymn
- Preface—"God be with you."
- Holy, holy, holy
- Oblation
- Epiclesis—invocation of the deity to descend upon the church that is now ready to receive him
- Intercession I—prayer for the ill, dying, and dead, hymn
- Intercession II—prayer for poor and oppressed, hymn
- Intercession III—prayer for the sovereign, may he have longevity, health, joy, power, and righteousness in the eyes of God, hymn
- Pater noster
- Communion
- Prospect—"we celebrate the victory of God and of his Son, messiah Jesus Christ of the holy nation, we look to the day all nations shall be raised out of pain and suffering..."
- Hymns
- Dismissal
Customs
The standard position for the congregation during service is standing, but it is not considered an offence to sit down occasionally. Prayers are generally said while kneeling. The congregation, as a rule, kneels after Epiclesis occurs, whereby the deity is believed to be physically present in the house of worship; kneeling continues until communion, which is distributed by the priest to the congregation at their places, rather than at the altar.