Kireseria

  A kireseria (plural: kireseriati), or kiretia sister, is a dignified member of the Aprēan clergy responsible for the administration of their local kiretia, and all the property and people that fall under its control, which is some cases can equate to a vast amount of wealth and power. These leaders of the faith are almost always women, as most denominations view religious matters as things that fall under the domain of women. Out of the three primary branches of the religion, only Baglāmēq Hūril allows for the appointment of male leaders, who they call the kireserieiati, meaning “kiretia brothers” in Aiterean.   For most of the Aprēan faiths—with the notable exception of Hillenēq Hūril—the kireseriati are at the top of the religious hierarchy and they are meant to answer to no one other than Aprēa herself.  

Appointment

Various denominations have different methods for choosing a new kireseria when either the previous one has died or when a new temple has been established. While the elections are usually left to the whims of religious customs and theological authorities, secular rulers can have an impact on them as well, whether by directly forcing a kireseria out of power and imposing their own candidate instead or by interfering with their elections in more subtle ways.  

Hillenēq Hūril

For the clergy of Hillenēq Hūril, leaders are often chosen by the Alstiseria of Athe, the supreme authority of the faith. Congregations in need of a new kireseria are expected to send a list of candidates along with lengthy descriptions of their personal characteristics, their background and achievements, and various testimonials so that a wise and informed decision can be made on the matter. Sending the hopeful candidates straight to Athe is another option, but as the journey there can be long an egregious most prefer to let the couriers handle the hazards of travel.   Should more than a year pass without a word from the alstiseria, the congregation may elect their own leader, although their decision will be overruled should a message arrive from Athe declaring the appointment of someone else.  

Baglāmēq Hūril

Followers of Tīr Baglām‘s creed are a lot more decentralised in regards to how they handle their election with various congregations determining their own rules for electing or appointing their leaders. The fundamental aspect of their faith that sets the Baglāmists apart from regular Aprēans is their acceptance of men in positions of theocratic authority, defying the old order that asserts that woman are meant to rule the spiritual world while men reign over secular lands.   One vital qualification that a Baglāmist kireseria or kireseriei needs is to prove that they’ve been on a secluded journey in isolation as a hermit for an extended period of time. Adhering to their particular creed’s firm stance on clerical celibacy is another important factor, and those found breaking their oaths at some point in the past are illegible for the position.