Today's Date: 6th St. Jacoby, Year 3636
Calendars: 3635, 3636
The Church of Laa has been the predominant religion in the western half of the Old World for nearly 3000 years. Based upon the teachings of the great prophet St. Peregrinus, it is known for its emphasis on compassion and tradition. Its priests are renowned healers.
High Hierophant: Father Beneficent
Headquarters: Gaudium, Sanctonia
Alignment: Lawful Good
Patriarchs: Father Valiant (Shushan City), Father Provident (Ciudad Embrujada), Father Serene (Ciudad Bella), Father Pacific (Rio Extraño), Father Patient (Puerto Negro), Father Clement (Puerto Violeta), Father Salubrious (Puerto Azul), Father Diligent (Puerto Verde), Father Martial (Southport)
Commonly Referred to As: Hierophantism, the Hierophantist Church, Hierophantists
Hierarchy: The High Hierophant is the "keystone" of the church. Appointed for life by the Council of Patriarchs, he makes final pronouncements on dogma, and appoints all new patriarchs. The Council of Patriarchs oversees church administration. Each "Floreo," or church region, is administered by a patriarch, also appointed for life, who calls and ordains local priests.
Organization: There are nine Floreos in the New World, each presided over by its own Patriarch. The Patriarch of Shushan City is recognized as the First Among Equals of the New World Patriarchs. The Patriarch of Southport oversees all of the Hierophantist churches and missions of Haldeve, Nortonia, New Waltia and Eastonia.
Recognized Orders: Hierophants, Clerics, Adepts (and in Sanctonia, Paladins)
Gods and Goddesses: There is only one true God, Laa. (See the section on theology for more information about the One True God.)
Position on the cult of "Saints": Veneration of the saints is encouraged, for they are seen as a Pathway to Laa, the One True God.
Position on "Miracles": There is a split within the church on the issue of Miracles. The church's official position, enunciated by Father Beneficent and held to by the majority of Hierophantists living in Sanctonia, Caputonia and Diluvia, is that miracles are real and a sign of God's grace. In the "modern" nations of Masovia and Waltia, actual miracles have been documented only rarely in the last 300 years. The Patriarchs of Masovia encourage priests to study and scholars to teach the appropriate forms and prayers for them as laid out in the priestly manuals, but the Masovian church does not encourage believers to seek them out, for true faith does not require them.