Council in Jerusalem (AMW)

[Nova Gaul]

Jerusalem, Kingdom of Jerusalem

Word was sent by the Vatican throughout the world, by personal couriers, of a Great Council of Christendom which was convened in the holiest of cities—the Second Council Jerusalem. The purpose of this council was the reunification of Christianity’s two Orthodox Churches, that of Rome founded by St. Peter Prince of the Apostles and that of Constantinople founded by St. Andrew. Such a reunification would reforge the original Church of God as it had stood during the age of Our Savior’s Sacrifice and the time of the Church Fathers. Such a reunification would be the single greatest event in Christendom since the Council of Nicaea many hundreds of years before. And maybe, by the Grace of God, as important a convocation as the first Council of Jerusalem…which was convened by the Holy Apostles themselves about fifteen years after the Resurrection of Christ.

Therefore such a council deserved a proper setting, and it would receive one: the Council of Jerusalem would be conducted in a tabernacle of cedar wood, supported by Roman and Greek marble and the holy city’s native stone. This tabernacle to host the Reunion was even now being constructed on the Temple Mount* aside the Temple where the Knight’s Templar headquarter. There with offerings of frankincense and amidst the fragrance of myrrh the Roman Catholic Church and the Byzantine Orthodox Church would send God’s clergy to reconstitute the original and irrefutable Church of God which would be known once more by its simple and primary title: the Catholic Church.

But Pope Leo XIV decided that such a conclave deserved the ultimate grace of holiness…by order of the Sovereign Bishop of Rome the Lord Christ’s One True Cross was being taken from maximum security in the monastery of the Watchful Brothers of the Seraphim and lodged in the tabernacle for the duration of the Council of Jerusalem. The One True Cross until now had only been whispered about, the Holy Mother Church having refused to acknowledge or reject its existence. But in fact the True Cross did exist, although being wood it had not survived in tact, but rather now existed as a completed ensemble of individual pieces overlaid dazzlingly with silver, gold, platinum, bronze and copper according to the wealth of that section’s finder. Here and there was an empty space, in which another holy relic from this blessed land was placed. Since the days of Our Lord’s Sacrifice church authorities had endeavor to collect the shards and pieces of this divine masterpiece, and now in anno domini two-thousand and ten it would be brought into the presence of those reuniting the Catholic Church, reuniting the communion of saints.

And to Jerusalem the communion of saints would come.

From the Roman Catholic Church all bishops, cardinals, and major monastic officials—such as abbots, abbesses, and grand masters—were summoned to attend by the Holy Father. Summoned from every corner of the earth, church hierarchs were to make their way to Jerusalem at once, as the papal couriers informed them. From the Byzantine Orthodox Church the emperor would summon all patriarchs and bishops of the east. Needless to say the Council would be chaired jointly by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and His Imperial Majesty Tiberius Caesar.

Several important political figures within the Roman Catholic Church were invited also, no doubt Emperor Tiberius would summon political officials from the east from leaders in spiritual union with Constantinople. The chosen grandees were so informed by the arrival of a papal courier directly. Their Catholic Majesties King Jordanus—Defender of the Faith—and Queen Bridget of Acadzia were asked to come to this holy conclave, as was President Darian Rhodes of Great Rhodesia, Eldest Son of the Church. The Vice President of Wesleyopia Timothy Fields, a devout Catholic, was also sent for, so too was the Catholic president of the Trade Federation. Andrea Thornton, the Queen Mother of the Empire of Chrinthanium was dispatched an invitation. And the newly heard voice of a most faithful state, Prime Minister Montesclaros of the Phillipines, would see the courier from Jerusalem walking through his doors presently. Last but certainly not least the President of Acadienne, heretofore heard from but little, was asked to attend the Council where the original and true Catholic Church was reforged by True Believers.

In such a way would His Holiness Pope Leo and Tiberius Caesar attempt to sew together once more the seamless Coat of Christ, and restore the Universal Church in the world.

While the hoteliers and innkeepers of Holy Jerusalem prepared for maximum occupancy and beyond and merchants from the countryside flooded into the sacred precinct to supply what the Kingdom expected to be near-record pilgrimages the Holy See was clear reminding all of the possible attendees about the prerequisites. Any Christian sect currently in non-communion with Rome or Constantinople would have to swear to accept the Council’s premise—that the Sovereign Bishop of Rome, the pope, was the supreme religious authority in God’s Church by means of St. Peter and that the soon to be Holy Roman Emperor, the Byzantine Emperor, was the supreme political authority in God’s Church by means of Constantine the Great and that each possessed the minor aspects of the other—as well as accepting the validity and soul-saving potential of the Nicene Creed, the Catholic Magisterium, and the teachings of the Church Fathers…yes, they would have to agree to all these things before being seated in the Tabernacle of the Lord.

((*I ought mention that due to the Holy Land…Kingdom of Jerusalem…being overwhelmingly Christian vis-à-vis successful crusades the Dome of the Rock was never built in Jerusalem. Or, if the Muslims had built it, was destroyed during the process of the Crusades. Therefore the tabernacle would be raised where the Dome of the Rock stands now, for your reference.))

[Tsalland]

The Patriarch Roman stepped off of a plane which had flew directly to Jerusalem from Lapolis.

He would most likely not attend the Council, as he viewed the religious leader of the church as Christ, not the Pope, but still figured it would be good to be in the holy city during the council. In the case that he would attend, he had brought holy relics from the Saints Methodius and Cyril Cathedral in Lapolis. He had also brought a Bible that was treasured in Tsalland, as it was purportedly used by Methodius and Cyril themselves in the conversion of the Slavs.

As he walked down the runway, he spoke to the Metropolitan Basil of Denrab in northern Tsalland.

"Perhaps I will attend this council. They may allow us to keep our beliefs while still inside of the church. I cry that these heresies are being accepted though. The Emperor Tiberius is a fool. He is young, and doesn't not know what decisions he is making. I pity the people who think themselves religious in Byzantium. Those who have dedicated their lives to church will become heretics."

"It is sad indeed, and I doubt they will listen to a Patriarch of a church that has twenty odd million in it. They look at population, and most likely will not view all of the Bishops and Patriarchs as equals. They do it out of politics, not faith, and it is a shame that they will face when presented to our Lord."

"I only hope we are the ones that are right, and that we will not have to face the Lord if we are heretics."

"Heretics?Heretics for following the Bible? For not creating laws aimed at politics alone? We are not heretics your Eminence."

"You are too wise Basil, you may become Patriarch yourself someday."

[Jatriqya and Hoya]

Emperor Tiberius stepped off the Il-96 at Jerusalem's Airport. He had heard that the Tsagians were in the Holy City even though they had not been invited to the Council of Jerusalem.

Emperor Tiberius had invited any Bishop that agreed with the terms from Tsalland, which clearly did not include the Patriarch. He had also invited the Patriarchs from Kremistan and Zygarin, and in addition Patriarchs from all Orthodox Churches throughout the world that accepted the terms completely or nearly completely.

Emperor Tiberius arrived with about ten other Bishops and Patriarchs from the Byzantine Orthodox Church, each of which had brought various relics from the Bishoprics or Patriarchates. They were dressed in full Orthodox garb.

They had planned to arrive early at Temple Mount in order to be the first to meet Pope Leo.

OOC: Sorry for short post, gotta go out to dinner

[Nova Gaul]

((Heya Tsalland. I want to chime in OOCly before I direct anymore comments over to the offsite forums. I can appreciate the Tsagian Archbishop might want to be in Jerusalem for the Council, but I wanted to make this point absolutely clear:

Any Christian sect currently in non-communion with Rome or Constantinople would have to swear to accept the Council’s premise—that the Sovereign Bishop of Rome, the pope, was the supreme religious authority in God’s Church by means of St. Peter and that the soon to be Holy Roman Emperor, the Byzantine Emperor, was the supreme political authority in God’s Church by means of Constantine the Great and that each possessed the minor aspects of the other—as well as accepting the validity and soul-saving potential of the Nicene Creed, the Catholic Magisterium, and the teachings of the Church Fathers…yes, they would have to agree to all these things before being seated in the Tabernacle of the Lord.

Therefore there is no way Archbishop Roman, or anyone else who had not so swore, would be allowed to attend the Council itself, whether he wished to go or not. And just because the Roman Catholics and Byzantine Orthodox are reuniting the original Catholic Church does not mean they are going to declare other sects outside the universality heretical. Thanks, and I’ll keep it IC here for now.))

[Tsalland]

This is the only ooc I will post. I am in communion with Byzantium. I am autocephalous within the Orthodox church, and recognize Tiberius as "First among equals."

[Marimaia]

(OOC: Although Darian is meeting with the British in "All Rhodes", we live in fluid time RP, so this either happens before or after that.)

Darian Rhodes proudly set foot upon the tarmac of Jerusalem's airport, knowing that the next few days were vitally important. The Eldest Son of the Church had arrived with the intention of supporting Pope Leo XIV and the intended reunification of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox faiths; his uncle's talk about Darian's destiny seemed to be validated on a daily basis. If successful, this council and its participants would go down in history. It could also potentially lead to closer ties between Great Rhodesia and the other nations represented at the council, which would be a welcome outcome.

Darian was, as always, accompanied by Brother Simeon, who seemed to be controlling his emotions as he also stepped onto Jerusalem's soil. With them was the Archbishop of Salisbury, Philip Makoni; Darian hoped that Leo XIV might elevate Makoni to Cardinal as part of the new organisation proposed for the Church. Makoni breathed a sigh of relief as his feet touched the ground, and Darian gently took the Archbishop's arm; Makoni had vowed to make the trip despite his air sickness, and thankfully there hadn't been too much turbulence during the flight.

"Bless you, Darian, this old priest is grateful."

Darian smiled as Makoni straightened up. "Nonsense, Your Excellency. There is no need for your gratitude, I am simply happy to have you here with us. This is a momentous time, and although I am here by the Holy Father's invitation, I still feel slightly out-of-place at such a gathering."

[Kyr Shorn]

OOC: This is post is for the offical line of the Majapahit Eastern Orthodox Church to be made public. With over a million followers the MEOC represents over half of the Commonwealth's Christians.

IC:

St. Neeraj's Basilica, Yogyakarta, the Commonwealth

Now that the Council had been called, the current Patriarch of the largest Christian Church in the Commonwealth had some things to consider before issuing an official response for the faithful of the One True Church to follow. The first Patriarch of the Church, Neeraj I had restored God's true word by purifying the rites and the Bible of their western taint and deftly guided the Church through the complex politics of the Majapahit Empire and secured Imperial protection.

Of all the Christian Churches in the current incarnation of Majapahit, the Commonwealth, the MEOC was the most tolerated, the most accepted.

Which didn't amount for very much since most other Christians sects viewed them as heretical and half-Hindu for their beliefs in reincarnation, the eternal cycle of time, the divinity of the Virgin Mary, reverence for the ancestors (accusers felt it was no different from Javanese Hindu ancestor worship), and a multitude of things that simply reflected the fact that the Majapahit Church was clearly the One True Church.

For did it not say in the Purified Bible that the faithful would suffer persecution for all peoples and most of all those who were Christian in name but not in truth?

The current Patriarch, Neeraj XIII looked at the message from the Vatican representative, no doubt that the Protestants and the Catholic Archbishop of Jakarta had gotten one as well.

The Patriarch had spent the last three hours in deep meditation and prayer to the One Who Is Three and the Divine Mary and had now come to a decision.

Neeraj XIII picked up a pen and began to write a response in Indonesian, the message was sent to both Constantinople and Rome in elaborate ivory scroll cases, each scroll came with beautiful golden seals that contained the unoffical symbol of the church, the Divine Mary emerging from a lotus flower holding the Son. Critics claimed that the image was a Christian version of the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi but the Church sneered at this.

To the Bishop of Rome and the Patriarch of Constantinople,

The Majapahit Eastern Orthodox Church will not participate in any Council with neither the Roman Church nor the Church of the Byzantines until you abandon your countless heresies and accept true teachings as made manifest in the Majapahit Eastern Orthodox Church. As taught by the first Patriarch Neeraj I, our faith represents the One True Church as created by the One Who Is Three and the Divine Mary, the Mother of the Son.

If you do come to repent of your heresy and accept the True Church it will be my pleasure to admit all among the Catholic and Eastern Church congregations into the Majapahit Eastern Orthodox Church and purify you of your previous sins.

It is our most sincere prayer that the One Who Is Three and the Divine Mary shall open your eyes to reason and show you the glory of the Son who was created to Purify the World of Sin.

Neeraj XIII
Patriarch of Yogyakarta and First Among Equals of the Majapahit Eastern Orthodox Church

[The RSU]

JOESEN SHOGUNATE
OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUÉ
FOREIGN OFFICE

The Shogunate of Joesen continues to be dissapointed by the actions of Leo XIV, head of the Roman Catholic Church.

When we discovered a Council of Jerusalem was being convened, we momentarily believed that Leo XIV was ready to dissolve the divides between the various sects of Our Lord Jesus and put an end to centuries of in-fighting and bickering. But alas, we have now learned that the price of admission is to renounce your own faith and submit to the view of this Vatican Pauper.

Once again, Leo XIV has found another opportunity for self-aggrandisement and ego bolstering. Even the alleged 'true' cross of Our Lord Jesus has been whored out to draw attention to this summit. This is not a council; this is a diktat.

When Leo XIV is ready to discard his self-importance and invite others to the table as equals - not servants - we shall be ready to accept. The path to God is irrelevant; the destination is all that matters.

Signed,

GENERAL HIROSHI AKUTAGAWA
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
JOESEN EXECUTIVE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
SHOGUNATE OF JOESEN

[Notangians]

LETTER OF PATRIARCH OF OLD ORTHODOXY CHURCH IN TOLTEKANA
AVVAKUM V TO THE POPE OF ROME LEO IV
(official translation from Church Slavonic)

His Holiness
Avvakum V
Patriarch of Old Orthodoxy Church in Toltekana
Tollan, Toltekana

Your Beatitude and Holiness, Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the State of Vatican City, Servant of the Servants of God, Leo IV


Embracing You with the Sacred Kiss, gladly We address You.

We have earnestly tried in fasting and prayer to purify Our Souls in order to welcome the Divine Passion of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who willingly ascended the Cross to reconcile the Creature with the Creator, and through this Unity to accomplish Salvation for the whole of Mankind. We have also been worthy to celebrate His Glorious and Light-Giving Resurrection and live once more with the Joy of Forgiveness which sprung up from the Tomb, and upon which is founded the Communion of the Saints of Christ's Church. While We have, during these days, undergone such spiritual exercise and facing the well-known antagonism from other denominations here in the Toltecs Land, as well as in other Christians countries, We were surprised to read the copy of the letter which Your Beatitude addressed, to His All Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and Our Brother in Christ, , in which are exposed, according to Your opinion, serious matters which preoccupy Our Churches.

So, in the Session of the Holy and Sacred Synod of Our Holy Church of Toltecana, We have considered, lengthily and thoroughly, the issues contained in that letter. We found them to be very serious, controversial, and in many parts alien to the Tradition that We have always held and We unanimously resolved to address to Your Beatitude the following:

I. The History of Our Holly Church

As Our Holly Church is not in Communion of the Eastern Orthodox One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church headed by Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Tiberius IV and thus not invited in to Council of Jerusalem, We find need to address to Your Holiness with this section.

The roots of Our Holly Church lies in tragedy known to Our Church as Raskol. Russian Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and his unholy Patriarch Nikon declared way of Faith, practiced by generations of Rus, a heresy and after anathemization, faithful ones was putted under bloody tyranny of Antichrist.

We run from this tyranny to lands were we could live by Faith of ours ancestors. In Kingdom of Toltecana we find tolerance and began our new live. Our Holly Patriarchate established in 1899 to continue tradition of Old Faith hierarchy, belongs to Eastern Orthodoxy, but not to Eastern Orthodox One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church who recognize unholy church and patriarch of Russia.

II. Old Orthodoxy Church in Toltekana and Ecumenism

Our Holly Church stand aside from movement of ecumenism with Faith in our way, our traditions and Our will to preserve them. But Son of God send Holly Apostles to create One Church to this World and He send Holly Spirit in first Pentecost to establish One church of Christ to all nations.

Therefore:

In Name of all Old Orthodoxy Church in Toltekana, I, Patriarch Avvakum V, ask Your Holiness Pope of Rome Leo IV to take Old Orthodoxy Church in Toltekana in to Holly Roman Catholic Church as Sui Iuris particular Churche.

Like other particulars Churches in Holly Roman Catholic Church such as Syriac Catholic Church, Chaldean Catholic Church and others We hope to keep our liturgy and rituals but also to fulfill Divine will of one Church of Christ.

In joining Holly Roman Catholic Church we ask allow to Ours Church:

*To keep Ours form of Holly Creed;
*To keep Ours way of making Sign of Cross;
*To keep Ours liturgical texts and rituals in Old Slavonic language;
*To keep number of Prosphora in the Liturgy and Artoclasia We use;
*To keep Ours way of praying Alleluia;
*To keep Ours form of baptism with three full immersions;
*To keep Ours way of praying with bows and prostrations instead of kneeling;

Also We ask:

*To leave hierarchy of Ours Church with Patriarch as head;
*To allow using this coat of arms to represent Patriarch of Ours Church;
*To allow Patriarch to come in to Second Council of Jerusalem to represent Our Church;

For all the above, with the hope of unity of all of us and compliance with the Sacred Tradition of Our Holy Orthodox Church, We beseech Our Risen and Redeeming Christ to bestow upon all of Us the Divine Illumination of the Holy Spirit in each further activity and resolution of Ours.

In Him, We embrace Your Beatitude and We remain, Your Venerable Beatitude’s beloved Brother in Christ.

[Signature]

Avvakum V

Patriarch of Toltekana

[Nova Gaul]

((No thing Mar—we work in fluid time indeed! I’ll get the pope here by the next time I post.))

Jerusalem

Cardinal-Governor Pier de Orsini, Regent of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, provides formal state welcomes for both Emperor Tiberius and President Darian Rhodes.

Emperor Tiberius is greeted at the airport by an honor guard of the Knights Templar, nearly the entire Order, resplendent in their white mantles, and given an eighty-gun cannonade to honor his exalted status as he reviews the monastic warriors. Children from Jerusalem and Jaffa rush forward to present the potentate from Constantinople with bouquets of flowers. Every welcome is extended on the Cardinal-Governor, who explains to the Byzantine Emperor—who if the Council succeeds will become the Holy Roman Emperor—that the Sovereign Bishop of Rome is on his way to Jerusalem and will arrive after his tour of Chrinthanium and visit to the United Kingdom of the Philippine Islands. Emperor Tiberius is informed that the Holy Father is most eager to meet with him, to embrace him as his brother, and that the first act of Pope Leo when he arrives in the Holy City will be to conference with the descendant of Constantine the Great straight away.

For the emperor’s comfort and for the comfort of his court the Cardinal-Governor is happy to present the Tower of Solomon, a palace formerly a medieval fortress, as a suitable site for the Byzantine delegation. From the Tower His Imperial Majesty would be able to see the nearly complete Tabernacle being raised on the Temple Mount. Soon clouds of incense would rise above this august creation holding within it the True Cross; soon the Council of Jerusalem would begin.

President Darian Rhodes, who arrived some hours after the emperor, is greeted at the airport too by the Cardinal-Governor. As Eldest Son of the Church Darian receives a splendid welcome, and his honor guard is of the Knights Hospitaler who he and de Orsini review together. The Cardinal-Governor assured President Rhodes, who he praised for his newfound devotion and immaculate personal behavior, that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV would without doubt elevate Philip Makoni to the new Sacred College when it was conglomerated in but a few days. Moreover de Orsini is not subtly in hinting to Mr. Rhodes that he himself will have a role to play in the reunified Catholic Church, alongside such bastions of faith as His Catholic Majesty King Jordanus and King Sebastian of the Philippine Islands. But more would be said of that in Council. In the mean time Mr. Rhodes and his escorts (including probably a Watchful Brother of the Seraphim and His Emenience Cardinal Rhodes) were presented with an entire wing of the King David Hotel for their habitation in Jerusalem.

To the Commonwealth of Indonesia the Holy See gives a sad response, saying it is indeed regrettable that they will not be able to attend the Council of Jerusalem. To Joesen the Holy See gives no response…their missive was worth less than the paper it was written upon. It was promptly shredded, recycled, and put to better use.

Regarding the interesting announcement from the Patriarch of Old Orthodoxy Church in Toltekana the Holy See replied at once. It seemed that the Old Orthodoxy Church in Toltekana had indeed not remained in communion with Constantinople and the See of St. Andrew, yet also that it had not engaged in the blasphemous heresies so popular in Asia outside the devout and righteous Philippines.

And so despite their distance and national evolution the Holy Father was of the mind to consider them eligible for attendance in the Council of Jerusalem Sui Iuris, literally ‘of one’s own laws.’ For as the Vicar of Christ’s predecessor John Paul II had stated: “The Eastern Catholic Churches are not 'experimental' or 'provisional' communities; these are sui iuris Churches; One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic, with the firm canonical base of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches promulgated by Pope Paul VI.” With such a legal disclaimer His Holiness the Pope would give formal invitation to the Toltekanan Patriarch…with several caveats offered beforehand.

Namely in order to attend the Council the Toltekanan Church would need to adopt the Nicene Creed without exception, the creed being the bedrock of the original Catholic Church and the one being reforged by Pope Leo and Emperor Tiberius. Otherwise the Toltekanan canon was found to be ‘in relative harmony’ with the Holy Church’s dogma. The Patriarch of Toltekana would be also elevated to the new Sacred College upon the Council of Jerusalem’s conclusion, thereby making him the chief prelate within his native land. However, and this was critical, the Holy See required that the Toltekanan Church recognize and swear loyalty to the Sovereign Bishop of Rome, the pope, who was the supreme religious authority in God’s Church by means of St. Peter and to the soon to be Holy Roman Emperor, the Byzantine Emperor, who was the supreme political authority in God’s Church by means of Constantine the Great, while recognizing that each possessed the minor aspects of the other.

If the Old Orthodoxy Church within Toltekana could accept these conditions the Patriarch would be welcomed into Jerusalem…and the faithful of Toltekana would be welcomed back into the loving embrace of God’s Holy Catholic Church, the Church of God.

[Acadzia]

The plane touched town in Jerusalem, following the flight across the Atlantic and Europe. Their Catholic Majesties King Jordanus VIII and his wife Queen Bridget were positively beaming for, essentially, the entire trip. Jordanus wished he could be a fly on the wall in London or Sithin or Leopoldville. How would these worldly governments handle something as monumental as this, the Orthodox and Catholic nations of the world, meeting in this Holiest city, striving for unity?

"This is going to be a victory for His Kingdom, isn't it?" asked Jordanus just before they had exited the plane. He pulled Bridget close to him and kissed her.

"Don't get too excited yet, my dear. The Council is just convening, after all. Besides, there is danger in this, too. I do not want to see doctrine diluted or distorted to please Byzantium or Tollan or something." She gingerly checked her face in the mirror. She wasn't vain, but perhaps just a bit self-conscious.

"You're lovely. As always." His darling wife smiled at him. He offered her his arm. She took it, and together the exited the plane, awaiting whatever fanfare the people of Jerusalem, and the good Cardinal-Governor, had in store for them.

[Nova Gaul]

Jerusalem

Needless to say Their Catholic Majesties King Jordanus VIII and Queen Bridget, beloved by God and the Holy See, were given a splendid welcome to the Holy City of Jerusalem. They too were met on the tarmac by His Eminence Cardinal-Governor de Orsini, and seven full companies of Regency Defense Force soldiers in dress uniform, assembled in parade ground formation, which the Cardinal-Governor reviewed with them. Pier de Orsini told them as they walked with honor along the lines of soldiers sworn to protect this sacred Kingdom that His Holiness Pope Leo was ‘consumed by elation’ when he learned Jordanus and Bridget had arrived for the Council. Orsini also told Their Catholic Majesties that the Holy Father was on his way to Jerusalem even now, though he took the roundabout path via Chrinthanium and the Philippine Islands.

This most hospitable Cardinal-Governor also assured King Jordanus, Defender of the Faith, that he had the pope’s sacred promise that absolutely not one Holy Atom of Catholic doctrine would be altered or diluted by Rome’s reunion with Constantinople. Orsini stated indubitably that the reuniting of Roman Catholicism and Byzantine Orthodoxy would rather complete the Catholic Church without reducing any one of its parts. Western rites would be preserved, Eastern rites would be preserved, and the East and West would reforge themselves into the Holy Catholic Church, the one and only Church of God, as it had existed in the time of the Church Fathers and in the epoch of Universal Christianity. Orsini also told their majesties that they would have an active part to play in this reunified church…but more would be said of that later.

Their Catholic Majesties need not worry, Orsini said: “Our Resurrected Lord and Savior, who you know well, has the situation well under control. And remember, dear children, that Our Savior’s high-priest is our Holy Father, you loves you much and understands the needs of the Faithful.”

The Kingdom of Acadzia’s court would be lodged, with His Majesty’s kind assent, in the world renowned King David Hotel. There the Rhodesians already occupied the east wing; the entire west wing had just been made ready for Their Catholic Majesties. The Cardinal-Governor informed them also, as they approached the waiting motorcade, that the Byzantine Emperor also had just arrived.

From their palatial suite in the King David Hotel Jordanus and Bridget would have an unobstructed view of the Holy Tabernacle nearly completed on the Temple Mount.

[Notangians]

Tollan, Toltecana. Residence of Avvakum V.

-Yours Holiness- Georgij, personal secretary of Patriarch approached to Avvakum V, who was speaking with few members of Sinod at the time.
Its looked as heavy discussion. Bishops Pavel and Yury was known as supporters Avvakum V and harsh advocators of ecumenism. While bishop Sergey was known as head of isolationists wing in church. Two other bishops- Alexei and Constantin agreed in general that Toltecana church must participate in process of reestablishment of one church, but they seen Rome and Constantinople as two forms of heresies.
-Your Holiness- Georgij repeated- Rome responded.
-Than speak, Georgij, speak- Avvakum voice become anxious.
-In general, Your Holiness, Rome accepted proposal, but there is few but.
-I can guess…-Sergey smiled, knowing that this “but” strengthening this positions.
-Well, there is phrase “The Patriarch of Toltekana would be also elevated to the new Sacred College upon the Council of Jerusalem’s conclusion, thereby making him the chief prelate within his native land.”
-That’s natural- joining the Catholic Church demands to introduce Patriarchate in to Catholic hierarchy. That something we could expect and except.
-Also there is “the Holy See required that the Toltekanan Church recognize and swear loyalty to the Sovereign Bishop of Rome, the pope, who was the supreme religious authority in God’s Church by means of St. Peter”.
-So in general, that is another words for “joining Catholic Church”- Avvacum tried to smile- the meaning of words was indeed that, but for God’s sake, can’t it be said in more delicate form? Now it sounds as ultimatum demanding for unconditional surrender. Isolationists will make a big thing from this.
-And for the last, it is…- Georgij take a moment- “Toltekanan Church need to adopt the Nicene Creed without exception”….
-But, ours Creed is Nicenian- shouted Pavel with surprise. While others looked astonished, Segey felt like ancient roman general, taking triumph.
-That’s nice. You really chosen a good way for Ours Church, Stepan. Now we adopt Catholic Creed as true Nicenian Creed, Tomorrow they will demand to accept Latin in to liturgy. And we will had to, because Pope is “supreme religious authority in God’s Church”. Why Antichrist of Rome is better than Antichrist of Moscow?- Sergey began attack, and his words was close to opinion of many faithfuls.
-First of all, not Stepan, but Your Holiness, to you. At list till you a member of this Church- Avvakum show no sign surrender or retreat- Second, we newer had any contacts with Rome. So its natural that if we mentioned “ours Creed”, they got impression, that is something different from Nicene Creed.
-Georgij, walk with me a bit- Avvakum walked few steps aside from bishops- send another letter to Rome. Explain them that ours Creed is same Nicene Creed, but were Nikon followers says
“Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made”, we say “Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, but not made, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made”, ad were nikonians says “And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father” we say “And in the Holy Spirit, the True Lord, the Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father”.
Also repeat that ours Church will join with all ours liturgy, traditions, rituals, form of Creed- with everything, in corpore, or we will not join at all. And this is not negotiations. Rome can take it or leave it.
-Your holiness, or we, well, or we in position to demand?- Georgij was quite surprise hearing Patriarch speaking in stile close to Sergey’s.
-Yes. After events in Europe, Papacy have to restore its authority and Leo needs to prove that he is capable to be leader of universal Church- ours proposal to him was like gift from Heavens. If ours Church will not join Catholic Church because of stubborn of Leo- together with crisis in Prussia, this will be a huge strike to authority of Leo and Papacy in general. Rome simply cannot allowed that. Go, Georgij, I’ll have speak with Sergey.

[Turanbirligi]

there is byzantium there is not holy roman empire. now there are turkey and israel understand this

[Saxemberg]

there is byzantium there is not holy roman empire. now there are turkey and israel understand this

In the real world, yes. But this is a fictional world we're playing in here, Turanbirligi.

[Jatriqya and Hoya]

The Emperor was impressed by the demonstrations, but it really was not the time. He was concerned that the Toltekans would continue their heresies. In order to combat the heresies that they were preaching, Tiberius prayed. He prayed that God would shed light on them, tell them to join the Universal Church.

It was all he could do while he waited for Bishops and Cardinals and Patriarchs to arrive from around the world.

[Tsalland]

Patriarch Roman took the time to write a note to the council.

A note to the council:
We of Tsalland are interested in joining the church. It is heresy for us to declare the supreme authority of the Archbishop of Rome, and we will not do so. If there is any other way for us to join the council without declaring this, please, let us know. This is also a warning to Tiberius. If you accept the heresies of the western church and join them, let it be known that Patriarch Roman will have to formally excommunicate you from the church for heresy. We hope that any actions taken will not affect diplomacy between our nations, as I, Roman, am the one taking these actions, and not the Grand Duke, the political leader of our country.

[Jatriqya and Hoya]

Patriarch Roman took the time to write a note to the council.

A note to the council:
We of Tsalland are interested in joining the church. It is heresy for us to declare the supreme authority of the Archbishop of Rome, and we will not do so. If there is any other way for us to join the council without declaring this, please, let us know. This is also a warning to Tiberius. If you accept the heresies of the western church and join them, let it be known that Patriarch Roman will have to formally excommunicate you from the church for heresy. We hope that any actions taken will not affect diplomacy between our nations, as I, Roman, am the one taking these actions, and not the Grand Duke, the political leader of our country.

The Emperor literally burst out laughing. Who was this Patriarch Roman who thought he could excommunicate him. And they thought he was childish? Does the Patriarch Roman even realize that the Emperor wouldn't give a crap if he excommunicated him because they wouldn't be part of the same church. It would be akin to the Pope excommunicating Nathaniel of Crinthanium, even though he is protestant.

A 'warning' to Tiberius. Clearly this 'Patriarch' didn't know what he was talking about. The churches are joining together, he is not joining the Catholics. The Pope recognized the Emperor to be the head of the Political Spectrum while the Emperor recognized the Pope as head of the Spiritual. Equals.

It was these kinds of childish Patriarchs that made the Emperor first want to create a universal church anyways.

Instead of responding to the Patriarch privately, the Emperor made a very public response to the Patriarchs threat of excommunicating him.

Clearly, he said, the Patriarch is completely out of his mind, because he does not have the authority to excommunicate me. The Emperor listed all of the reasons above, that the Patriarch was not above the Ecumenical Patriarch, that one can not excommunicate someone if they aren't part of the same church, and that he wouldn't have the authority to do so anyways. On top of all of this, this Patriarch was illegitimate because it was not confirmed by the Emperor nor the Bishops of Tsalland, simply given away by the Grand Duke,

The Emperor knew that he was reestablishing the first church with the Pope, and no doubt many of the Bishops in Tsalland also understood this.

In order to accommodate the Bishops that might be wiser than the Patriarch, the Emperor in the same letter invited those Bishops who accepted the terms to come to the Council and to join the new Church.

He thought that if enough of them came, then the illegitimate Patriarch of Tsalland might reconsider his stance.

[Nova Gaul]

((Sorry all typed out. I just wanted to get the pope to Jerusalem so we can get this underway. Sorry about the long wait in getting him here!))

Jerusalem

At last the Sovereign Bishop of Rome landed in the Holy City of Jerusalem. There was no ceremony to speak of as Shepherd touched down at shortly before 4 a.m. and Pope Leo went straightaway to rest after a whirlwind series of weeks. Though he was not an old man and yet strong of physique the Holy Father had undergone extreme trials these past few days, glorious though some had been, and worse yet the current Supreme Pontiff didn’t sleep well on airplanes. With the pope on the papal aircraft traveled several Filipino potentates: The King and Queen of the Philippine Islands (who would attend the Council as ‘visiting guests’) and the Right Honorable Prime Minister Filipino Prime Minster (who would attend the Council as a devout, and important, Catholic). The Filipinos went by motorcade to the Grand Levant Hotel, where they had been given an entire wing for their use while in Jerusalem. Pope Leo XIV went to the Apostolic Palace in the Old City, where his residence would be kept for the duration of the Council.

It might be mentioned that Leo XIV’s flight was not the only one to come in late. Airports around the Kingdom of Jerusalem where flooded with arrivals from all over the world, bearing Catholic Bishops and Cardinals, Byzantine Bishops and Patriarchs, and important political figures from within Christendom to the Holy Land where the prophets had spoken and Christ had walked.

While the Holy Father had many duties to attend to in this most holy city his first would be to speak to Emperor Tiberius. Therefore before noon Pope Leo called on the Byzantine Emperor where he was staying at the Tower of Solomon. His Holiness greeted the emperor warmly, calling the monarch from Constantinople ‘our brother in Christ.’

Pope Leo wasted no time in concurring with Tiberius Caesar: the ‘Archbishop’ of Tsalland was mad, a lunatic who himself was guilty of heresy for his comments against St Peter, Prince of the Apostles. Moreover Archbishop Roman was sliding dangerously close to openly blasphemy for his threatening the reunion of God’s Holy and Catholic Church. Making a quick theological point His Holiness stated that if Tsalland did in fact ‘invalidly agitate’ against the One and True Church then Roman would be guilty of blaspheming the Holy Spirit…a sin for which no forgiveness was possible. But enough of Tsalland, said Pope Leo, ‘let them worry about the Celts and their diplomatic blunders and leave the worship of the Most High God to us!’ At which time the Holy Father embraced the emperor as a brother, hugging him in the Greeting of Peace.

At precisely two o’clock that afternoon heralds in spotless white smocks went throughout Jerusalem ringing little silver bells—the Council of Jerusalem was convened in the Tabernacle upon the Mount. On the morrow, with the dawn, the Roman Catholic Church and Byzantine Orthodoxy would begin the process of reforging themselves into the original, flawless, and holy Catholic Church.

[Burol]

Grand Levant Hotel
Jerusalem

The Prime Minister of the Philippine Islands wandered in his room, searching for his mobile phone. The Pontiff was gracious enough to allow him and the King and Queen to board his plane, of course the basic Filipino customs of niceties wouldn't allow them to decline. They had a good conversation with His Holiness too.

The Presidential and Royal Planes also landed in Jerusalem, carrying the Crown Prince of the Philippines, the First Lady of the Philippines (Montesclaros' wife), and various church leaders. He invited Hartnett and Braithwaite but both declined, saying that he "needs more than others" and that "it's your political thing".

Finally he found his mobile in a side pocket of his bag. He was about to call his wife whether they had landed when he heard the sound of strollers and wheels outside. Perhaps they're here?

A text message from his wife arrived in his phone...

Code: Select all

Nandito na kami.

They're here! Montesclaros opened his door and saw the Crown Prince pass by with his bag. "Good day, Your Highness..."

Crown Prince Charles gave him a smile. "Good day to you too."

Behind him were Catholic church leaders, many of whom looked tired and weary from the long trip and the event back at Manila. Manila Archbishop Tim Portillo stopped by Montesclaros and shook his hand. "Thank you very much for your help," he said gratefully.
"Welcome. It's my duty as a leader and as a Catholic."

The four other Archbishops in the Philippines, Cebu Archbishop Deogracias Marañon, Davao Archbishop Salvador Tamondong, Sulu Archbishop Peter Chiongbian, and Cochin Archbishop Frederick O'Flaherty followed, bags in tow. The Chairman of the Philippine Catholic Episcopal Conference (PCEC), Bishop Pascual Alarcon of Tuguegarao, was also there, along with the Secretaries of the PCEC's Department of Doctrine and Religious Affairs, Bishop Ignacio Magsino of Nueva Segovia (Vigan), and the Department of External Affairs, Bishop Eric Monaghan of Novaliches.

After the Bishops came Montesclaros' wife Angelica. She looked happy and amazed to be in the Holy Land. "Finally we're here!" She said excitedly. Montesclaros smiled. The First Lady is someone you can't amaze too often. When he told her he was going to the Holy Land with the Pope, her first reaction was "Can I go with you?"

Of course his answer was yes. The Prime Minister helped his wife bring her stuff into their room. "I'll unpack these myself," she told him. "You need to rest."

[Nova Gaul]

Jerusalem

As final preparations for the Council of Jerusalem wrap-up the Holy See at last delivers its opinion to the Toltecanan Orthodox Church.

While the Orthodox Patriarchs of Toltecana have shown more wisdom that the barmy ‘Archbishop’ of Tsalland, Church authorities remind them nevertheless the Council ought not to be an occasion for subtlety: everything reconstituted there must be done with lucid, explicit, and sacred language. It was as clear as daylight that through the authority of St. Peter and the Church Fathers the Bishop of Rome had spiritual primacy, just as it was clear that His Imperial Majesty the Emperor through the righteous authority of Constantine the Great and his descent thereof had political primacy.

The Orthodox Toltecanans could suppose all they wanted, and even assume that because of a fetid heresy in Europe-Prussia God’s Holy Church would condescend to let them dilute the perfect reunion—but they were wrong.

And with that said, all the spiritual focus of true Christendom turned to the Council of Jerusalem.

In Tabernaculum…

As a winter sun rose over most holy Jerusalem lines of clergymen from east and west ascended the Temple Mount in ordered columns singing hymns, making for the great gilded tabernacle surmounting it. Each bishop, patriarch, cardinal or major churchman held in their hand a great lit candle. So in the weak light of dawn it appeared as is a river of light was flowing towards the Tabernacle of Almighty God. Thousands and thousands of Christendom’s spiritual hierarchs marched forward.

There is little need to discuss the intense security provided for the event: Knights Templar, Hospitaler, and of the Holy Sepulcher—many with their armored vehicles—provided an elite and tangible protective cordon surrounding the Temple Mount while the Metropolitan Police of Jerusalem had the Old City of virtual lockdown. Less obvious was the membership of the covert Watchful Brothers who had infiltrated the crowds to watch the sacred procession and tabernacle’s exterior. Numerous Regency Air Force flights overhead also made sure that Jerusalem’s air space, also on lockdown, was not violated.

When this veritable Army of God reached the Mount it flowed into two branches: the former clergy of the Byzantine Orthodox Church would enter the tabernacle on the eastern side and the former clergy of the Roman Catholic Church on the western. It was also at this point the media coverage of the event could cease—all proceedings from this point forward within the tabernacle were secret, and would be published only when the Council reached its decision.

Once inside the churchmen and important political figures of both faiths would be awestruck.

The inside of the tabernacle was draped with countless tapestries of valued antiquity depicting scenes from throughout the Holy Bible. Tall braziers burning frankincense placed at strategic intervals resembled something from the days of Sampson: in a theological way the entire tabernacle was an altar. Vast rows of benches, all cedar wood, were built up along all sides of the enclosure…all except the north side. For it was on the north side of the tabernacle, facing the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, dominating the entire scene, that the one True Cross had been raised. Its reassembled, metal coated lumber fit together sublimely—made of gold, silver, platinum, copper and bronze—and it radiated an aura of impossible sanctity, and sacrifice. In pairs the clergymen as they entered the tabernacle would bow low in unison to this, the holiest relic in Christendom. So too would the important political figures in attendance bow before the true symbol of their faith. Indeed one suspected that for such devout Catholics as President Rhodes, Their Catholic Majesties King Jordanus and Queen Bridget, and the Right Honorable Prime Minister of the Philippines Mr. Montesclaros being in the presence of the True Cross would be the most profound religious experience of their life.

At last His Holiness Pope Leo XIV entered the Lord’s Tabernacle, simultaneously at the east end His Imperial Majesty Tiberius Caesar entered. As one they would bow to the True Cross, before taking seats at the fore of their congregations. No thrones would be allowed into the tabernacle, which the True Cross of the Risen Christ deigned to occupy. Therefore the Sovereign Bishop of Rome would sit on a simple chair on the western side of the tabernacle and His Imperial Majesty on the east in his simple chair.

When all were seated the Council prayed for an hour in unison reciting the prayers of the Holy Apostles and singing Psalms, until the sun was fully visible in the sky. After the golden sun reached over holy Jerusalem canonical lawyers circulated amongst the assembly, passing out scrolls of vellum sealed with linen ribbons. They handed the venerable clerics also a small letter-knife with which to open them. As the last bishop received his copy a bell was rung.

The Council of Jerusalem was now able to open the first proposal of concordance.

Second Council of Jerusalem

General Declaration

The Byzantine Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, having no doctrinal disparity, with no differences except those to be defined and reconciled below, shall reunify its bipartite self equally into the original and universal Christian Church. Therefore in place of the Byzantine Orthodox faith and the Roman Catholic faith there shall only be the single, apostolic, holy Church of God, to be hereafter known as: The Catholic Church.

This original and reconstituted Catholic Church rests firmly on the bedrock of the Nicene Creed.

Furthermore in view of the fact of this reunion of the true Church as it was originally constituted—by Our Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Apostles—and husbanded by the Church Fathers, the perfected nature of the Church guarantees that the only assurance of immortal deliverance and communion with God is within the Church’s blessed scope; and that outside of the Holy Catholic Church there exists no surety of salvation.

Articles

I.

A. The Holy Father, Sovereign Bishop of Rome, Holiness, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the Papal States, Regent of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, Servant of the Servants of God, is henceforth known, honored, and recognized as the supreme religious authority in God’s Church by means of St. Peter’s Primacy and the divine origin of the Papacy.

B. The Emperor of Byzantium and Heir to Constantine the Great and Justinian the Wise, Patriarch of Constantinople, Protector of the Peloponnesus and Greek Isles, Victor of Mesopotamia and the Levantine is henceforth known, honored, and:

1) Recognized as the supreme political authority in God’s Church by means of Constantine the Great and the direct lineage of the Christian Caesars, and because the seat of imperial power is recognized to reside in Constantinople.

2) Recognized to be the legitimate Holy Roman Emperor. Holy, because his authority derives from the ultimate authority of the Holy Catholic Church, the Church of God; Roman, because he is catholic (as in universal) and a descendant of Constantine the Great; Emperor, because on the heir to Constantine lies to responsibility to protect and defend the Holy Catholic Church.

C. It is agreed that His Holiness the Pope Pontifex Maximus, supreme religious authority in and of the Church, and His Imperial Majesty Imperator Romanorum, supreme political authority in and of the Church, enjoy the lesser aspect of the position of the other. Therefore His Holiness the Pope has minor political powers by means of being the Sovereign of the Papal States just as His Imperial Majesty has minor spiritual powers by means of being the Patriarch of Constantinople, of the See of St. Andrew.

1) An exception to the rule of celibacy for the clergy is established so that His Imperial Majesty may simultaneously serve in a political capacity while maintaining a perfect ordination as Patriarch of Constantinople.

II.

A. The Sacred College of Cardinals shall be expanded to become the Sacred College. The Sacred College shall maintain its station and function while incorporating patriarchs from the former Orthodox Church into is ranks.

1) The number of former Orthodox Patriarchs elevated to the Sacred College shall be
no greater than 3/8 of the entire College.

2) The Sacred College shall convene formally twice each year, led by the Vicar of Christ, in Constantinople: on Good Friday and on the Feast of St. Andrew. In return the Byzantine Emperor shall be required to spend Easter in Rome, to celebrate that most holy day there with the Vicar of Christ, while he shall also come to the Eternal City to celebrate the Feast of St. Peter.

B. It is agreed that all bishops, cardinals, patriarchs and religious potentates each may keep their titles and vestments according to the tradition of their individual parish or diocese. By such means the many different garments pleasing to God shall entwine themselves together to reform the seamless Coat of Christ.

C. In the naming of all bishops, patriarchs, cardinals and religious potentates the Holy Father and Vicar of Christ, while keeping the responsibility to select all bishops, patriarchs, cardinals and religious potentates, must submit his candidate to the His Imperial Majesty the Holy Roman Emperor for confirmation. If the emperor should disagree with the choice of candidate, and the pope and emperor cannot come to a conclusion between themselves through dutiful prayer and studious meditation, then either the pope or emperor may convene the Sacred College, where the candidate shall have to be passed by a two-thirds majority vote

III.

A. The Holy Mass and Liturgy shall be renormalized in recognition of the united and perfected Catholic Church. Therefore Holy Mass henceforth shall be celebrated in a combination of Latin—for the consecration and Greek—for the adoration. All sacramental celebrations shall be undertaken by the above combination rule. The exceptions to the overarching rule are twofold: first on any High Holy Day of Obligation Mass may be said exclusively in Latin or Greek, depending on the circumstance, and second that the vulgar tongue native each land Mass is celebrated may be used for the two scriptural readings. However it is agreed to that with no exceptions the Gospel reading will be read in Latin while the Kyrie will be sung in Greek. The remaining liturgical celebrations may be given in either Latin, Greek, or the vulgar depending on the decision of the celebrant and his Bishop or Patriarch.

Addendum

I.

A. Although it is recognized that within the Holy Catholic Church the Holy Roman Emperor holds the position of political primacy nevertheless it also recognized that His Imperial Majesty’s capabilities are constrained by geography. Therefore it is proposed that a Secular College is created, mirroring the Sacred College but concerned strictly with temporal affairs, namely political and state-wide issues.

It is proposed that this Secular College be constituted by lay members of the Catholic Faith in high governmental office or of royal birth, as the case may depend, who in their individual national and secular arenas may assure the Holy Church’s well-being in the temporal world not under the direct aegis or indirect influence of the Holy Roman Emperor. In a word the Secular College shall become enforcers of the church political in their respective zones of influence. That they shall better execute the righteous will of the Church of God in an spiritually efficacious manner all candidates named as Legates to the Secular College shall receive regular but partial ordination into the Holy Priesthood to the extent of Deacons.

This is to say Deacons, like priests and bishops, who are ordinary ministers of the sacrament of Baptism and can serve as the Church’s witness at the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, may preside at funeral rites not involving a Mass, may assist the priest at the Requiem Mass, and can preside over various services such as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and give certain blessings; however they cannot hear confession and give absolution, anoint the sick, or celebrate Mass. Such an elevation will not affect the candidate’s personal/relationship status, as no celibacy vow is required for the Deaconate.

Members of the Secular College shall convene biannually in the Holy City of Jerusalem.

After the initial creation of the Legateship of the Secular College any future candidates shall be required to have both the approval of His Holiness and His Imperial Majesty.

The following nominations to the Secular College are proposed:

His Catholic Majesty King Jordanus VIII of Acadzia, Defender of the Faith

His Excellency President of Great Rhodesia Darian Rhodes, Eldest Son of the Church

The Right Honorable Prime Minister of the Philippines Alfredo Montesclaros

His Honor the Vice President of Wesleyopia Timothy Fields

[Wesleyopia]

Wesley, Federal District

"McDonald, I've got something to ask you." said Vice President Timothy Fields over the phone, his voice was obviously on edge. Something was troubling him.

"Yes? I'm busy right now, Tim. What do you want?" replied the President, he was obviously tired.

"Should I still go to Jerusalem? The blogs are already up and running with criticism. Everyone says it's an assault on the Constitution. What if the Libertarians do something, what if it explodes?"

"I've read 'em Tim, don't worry. This is monumental, maybe not to me or a lot of people, but it is monumental to the huge number of Catholics and the few members of the Orthodox church in this nation."

"But, still..."

"But what? You aren't making a state religion, you're doing your personal duty and protecting Catholic interests in Wesleyopia within the confines of the Constitution. I sat in the Assembly when it was framed, you did too. This is within the spirit of the document."

"Heheh."

"What is it, Tim?"

"I just never thought the guy who tried to blackmail me into going to his church two years ago would encourage me to stand up for a faith he doesn't believe in."

"A lot can change in two years, Tim."

***

Jerusalem

Timothy Fields, Vice President of Wesleyopia and devout Roman Catholic, was making a monumental and controversial step. A literal step too. Stepping out of the airplane, in Jerusalem, was the Vice President. Along with him was his wife Martha and a security detail. Vice President Fields was a taller man, dark haired, a composite politician if there ever was one. Of mixed Irish and English stock, one wouldn't know he had a hint of Irish in him if you looked at him. It was "bred out of him" as they say, but something about his dark brown eyes made your think twice about hypothesis that at times.

"Now, let's go to our places honey." said Martha, the Vice President's wife.

"First, let me take in the air." replied Timothy.

[Marimaia]

(OOC: We have started the Council, haven't we? Wesleyopia's post threw me a bit)

Temple Mount

Darian instantly rose to his feet upon reading the proposals, regardless of any protocol that may exist. Something had caught his eye and he was determined to obtain an immediate answer.

"Your Holiness, Imperial Majesty, fellow national representatives, esteemed spiritual representatives, I have a question regarding the specifics of certain articles. I have no issue with reunification of the Churches, in fact I welcome it. It makes no sense for us to concentrate on differences when there are so many similarities, reunification shows a great deal of progressive thinking and I would sincerely like to think that others might follow the example set by us today.

However, I require clarification on certain points. The Emperor is to become the 'supreme political authority within the Church'. What exactly does that mean? Combined with Addendum A regarding the 'Secular College', it gives the impression that, in the eyes of the Church, I am simply an enforcer of the Emperor's will who must report to my master every two years. Please correct me if I am mistaken, as I do not wish to think that this is your intention."

[Nova Gaul]

((Wesley, we can assume that Vice President Fields was simply taken into the conference.))

Quick to ease President Rhodes’s mind a state of clarification is issued immediately by the canonical lawyers. Indeed President Rhodes’s point allowed the lawyers to clear up a point which had been causing some confusion:

By ‘supreme political authority’ the emperor’s position is defined as the chief defender and protector of the church. Therefore to the best of his ability the Holy Roman Emperor, as he would be styled, was recognized to bear responsibility for politically ensuring the well being of the Church.

Because, however, the emperor’s reach is finite, unlike his predecessors Constantine and Justinian whose reach was infinite (by means of Roman geography), it is likewise recognized that other devout Catholics must be chosen to politically protect and defend the Church in their own lands. Implicit in the deaconate of the legateship of the Secular College is fellowship with the Holy Roman Emperor, not subservience. For although the Holy Roman Emperor was honorably the chief political figure of the Church, and the pope the chief spiritual figure, as it was defined the Secular College was its own body.

Hence its composition of politically influential Catholics who, by meeting and praying with one another, can ensure the Seamless Coat of Christ is draped equally over the world.

[Marimaia]

Darian visibly relaxed once the clarification was made, and thanked the canonical lawyers.

"I appreciate the clarification, and I feel it would be best if any other potential misunderstandings were raised now before we discuss anything further. It would be unfortunate if we agreed to something, then discovered loopholes or irregularities later on. Not so much for ourselves, but it would be more important to create a solid agreement which will stand up to outside criticism. If the end result of this council can be picked apart by those who stand against us, then it will damage our position in the world and possibly raise questions from our own populations.

If we produce a clear, transparent basis for the reunification, then our enemies will find it more difficult to use it as propaganda against us."