Clergy
Clergy are the religious leaders in the faith of Cosmos. Their role is to teach the doctrine of Cosmos and to support the spiritual needs of their community. To be a member of the clergy, you must be male, and a Magi. For the more ambitious clergy members, there is an opportunity to move into politics and form part of the ecclesiastical chamber. The supreme leader of the clergy and the church of Cosmos is the Vochay, who's headquarters are based in the country of Malagal.
Career
Those who become clergy members usually show an interest to do so from a young age. As clergy members must be Magi, it was common that the younger son of a noble family would join the clergy, and his family would actively prepare them for this role from a very early age by appointing a mentor for the child from the clergy, or sending the child to be educated at a Clerical Institution.
Requirements
Male
Magi
Any
None
However, following The Age of Enlightenment, many Magi families began to have less children, and though it remains common for clergy members to show an interest at a young age, it is often less driven by family members. Most consider joining the clergy after completing a degree level qualification.
Acolyte
See further: Acolyte
Acolytes are clerics in training. Their length of training can last anywhere between three years and a lifetime. During their training they will travel across Magnus Prime studying at many temples and institutions. They will have to write at least two dissertaions, the first about Cosmos as a whole, and the second about the angel that they wish to work in the temple of. Acolytes rise to the position of Cleric after the Presido of their chosen temple approves them to do so.
Cleric
See further: Cleric
Clerics form the majority of the clergy. Every temple is manned by at least one cleric, while minsters, temples that represent all of the angels, instead of just one, have twelve or more. Very few clergy members progress from this rank. Only those who are particularly politically minded choose to progress. Only a Deacon can promote a cleric to the next rank of Presido.
The majority of clerics work in roles related to their temple, as opposed to performing services directly. For example, to be a lawyer, one must first be a cleric of the temple of Merinosis. Only after achieving that level can they progress to becoming a lawyer.
Presido
See further: Presido
Every duchy has twelve Presidos: one for each of the twelves angels and their respective sects of temples. The Presido governs their sect in the duchy, managing concerns from their temples as a whole, promoting acolytes, and improving the appeal of their temples over others. A good Presido, worthy of promotion to a Deacon, in proactive and engaged in the work of all his temples, regardless of size, and repeatedly proves their deduication to the order.
Deacon
See further: Deacon
Each duchy has a deacon that represents the religious needs of that duchy in the Ecclesiastical Chamber. Deacons manage their Presidos, and often have a great say in who should be their next Presido. They have great political influence and power as well within their country, and internationally. Every duchy across Magnus Prime has a Deacon's Palace, representing the power and wealth of each deacon and their forebears.
Arcic
See further: Arcic
An Arcic is the highest ruling member of the clergy per country. In some countries, such as Favont, the Arcic is the head of the church, while in most others, he is a direct representative of the Vochay. He has immense political power in his country, and can openly direct his deacons to vote in a way that suits him. Due to this level of power, a lot of rulers insist on selecting their own Arcic who will support their causes, with some rulers even famously dismissing, or even executing their arcics when they failed to meet their needs. It is a precarious role, but one that comes with great fortunes.
Vochay
See further: Vochay
There is only one Vochay, and he is the ultimate head of the Cosmos faith based at his palace in Moroe, the capital of Malagal. A Vochay is elected into his position by a meeting of Arcics who often choose either one amongst their ranks, or they promote a Deacon, but that has only occured in exceptional circumstances. Because of this, the Vochay is usually a very old and immensely wealthy and powerful man who can use his power to sway others into voting him in. It is a position that is held until death, and as the figurehead of the church, many look upon him as the voice of the angels. When he changes policies, it is considered to be on the instruction of the angels themselves, and so his word is revered.
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