Azophites
 Flag of the Azophites | |
_30.jpg) Azophite Elder in traditional clothing | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 2.2 Million | |
| Founder | |
| Abd al-Masih al-Sufi | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Zubaydah | 1.3 Million |
 Sarvatia | ~500,000 |
| Religions | |
| Azophitism | |
| Scriptures | |
| Epistles of the Revelation Holy Bible (74-Book Canon of Polycarp) | |
| Languages | |
| Khatti (Native) Valaranic Bijazi Sarvati | |
The Azophites are an Khatti, and Khatti speaking ethnoreligious group who are native to the eastern Anutistus Region of nothern Zubaydah and parts of southern Kerman. They adhear to a form of syncretic Sophisianity distinct from other branches and other forms of Oriental Sophisianity all Azophitism, classified as a Ethnic religion. Azophite political and religious life is directed by the Jumher, Collective bodies mad up of the elders of Azophite communities who meet and elect members to possitions of religious and civil importance within the community. Azophite religious doctrine is generally kept secrete, outsiders are allowed to Convert so long as they go through an extensive catachisis.
The Azophites established themselves in the mid 17th century. Archbishop of Margeasfaros Abd al-Masih al-Sufi (Latinised to Azophi would start to introduce diocesean reforms that reflected his intrest in pre-eccleastical Sophisianity. He introduced the old 74-book canon of Polycarp, an old pre-Pylan bible developed by Church Father Polycarp of Rhonerium, he also publically defied several key church doctrines in his speeches and writings. Affirming Zenobianism, Questioned the trinity, and rallied against the church leadership. He was formally excommunicated in 1632, However many of his parishoners followed him after his excommunication. Many priest and Bishops would follow Azophi as well establishing the first Azophist commity.
by the late 17th Century, Azophis teaching had spawned churches throughout much of the northern Agoanatolian Subcontinent, Head of the Faith, Primate Cyril II would in 1847 establish the docrinal law of endogamy which closed off the community from the outside world. This was done in response to efforts by local Sharrafi leaders to convert Azophites under their rule. The Azophites have thus been a closed community since, with the respriction on conversion only being lifted in 1987 to allow outsiders the opertunity to convert to the faith. Genetically, this means most Azophites share a common, ethnically mixed ancestory. Most Azophites before the imposition of enddogamy were Khatti, with a significant minority being Bijazi, and Sirluki who had converted in decades prior. Today most Azophites have a mixed ancestory. this has increased since to opening of the faith to converts in recent years.
The Azophite community makes up a small minority of the nations its indeginous too. and they have suffered presecution by both Sophisian and Talibani authorities for their secrative and heterodox beliefs. The Azohpites has played a significant role in shaping the region since their establishment, and have established powerful, and increasingly international communities.