Fr. Goren's Aemish Report

[Lojo613 1882]

 

The Aemish Report

compiled by Fr. Goren  in 1776

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Context

The Aemish are an emergent religious group which has come to the attention of the Church of Canon recently. In the interest of recording and classifying this group, Fr. Goren arranged to meet with local leaders to discuss beliefs and open a dialogue for peaceful future inquest into the nature of the religious group. While open to the public for posterity reasons, the opinions expressed within this text are those of Fr. Goren as a result of his initial encounter with the Aemish, and are in no way representative of a final judgement as ruled by the Church. This document is a record of the first ever known encounter between Church of Canon clergy and the Aemish.

 

On the character and hospitality of the Aemish

Upon learning of this fledgling group, I, Goren, curious regarding the nature of these presumed Canonists and eager to see more of Arcas than the Church archives, journeyed from the city of Helena to the city of Johnstown in the Kingdom of Haense. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by a woman, who took me to meet two other individuals, a man of advanced age and a younger individual both clad in simple brown monastic robes. Around their necks both men wore wooden Lorraine crosses, and greeted me warmly despite the Northern chill in the air. We entered into a tavern, which both men assured me was NOT the normal meeting place of the faithful Aemish, and was merely a place where we may sit and speak, as the implied Aemish holy site contained no chairs or pews. There we reposed in peaceful conversation, mainly between myself and the elderly man. The Aemish were extremely open, and did not appear to conceal any aspects of the faith inquired about. After compiling a satisfactory amount of notes, I indicated that it was time I leave. The Aemish were extremely hospitable, providing me with bread and jam as provisions for my journey home, and indicated that if they had known I intended on making the journey on foot, they would have sent a steed to meet me. After the hospitality I received, I am hopeful that our next meeting, pending Church approval, may occur within the walls of Helena, that we might return the favor.

 

On the practices of the Aemish

The Aemish appear to practice an ascetic lifestyle. The men I met with both wore robes befitting a monk, composed of brown sackcloth and rope, and carried a simple wooden Lorraine cross. Despite the elder of these men claiming status and among the two, both wore the exact same garb, implying a level of humilty and equality demanded among leadership and ministry. The Aemish do not use pews, and instead pray on their knees at all times. The Aemish also practice a strict fasting diet, going days without consuming food leading to emaciation among the leadership. The Aemish have their own religious hierarchy, with multiple “Vicars” holding a joint leadership position as elected by the “Ministry”. This Ministry appears to consist of all those ordained members within the Aemish group, while the Vicarship is reserved for those who are of blood relation to the homeland of the Aemish. Vicars rule equally, much like a Patriarchate.

 

On the beliefs of the Aemish

According to the Aemish, they believe in all currently revealed Holy Scrolls, including the Scroll of Auspice. The Aemish do not claim to follow any edited, doctored, or revised versions of the Scrolls, unlike the followers of Rashidun, although further inquiry into accuracy of Holy Scrolls used in Aemish worship would require a physical copy of said Scrolls. The Aemish believe that at some point after the revelation of the Scroll of Auspice the community was isolated on an island from the remainder of humanity. At one point, an individual of profound piety and faith provided leadership for this community and became known as “The Living Martyr.” The Living Martyr according to the Vicar I spoke with was “most likely a pious man” sent by GOD to lead the wayward flock. Although some among the Aemish regard the Living Martyr as a possible incarnation of an Aengul, this is not dogma and a matter of debate among the Aemish. This Living Martyr is venerated in a manner similar to a Saint, and was assured to me by the Aemish Vicar to NOT be a prophet. The Living Martyr did establish duties and guidelines which the Aemish community is bound to follow, very notably a focus on seeking “truth.” The Aemish place particular care into discerning the accuracy and veracity of religious texts, institutions, and practices. The Aemish believe that conversion of pagans must occur through the presentation of facts and evidence which may be gathered from the world around us. 

 

Impressions and Opinions of Fr. Goren

The Aemish seem to be a kindly and pious people. They have given no reason as of yet to suspect that their teachings or beliefs, particularly those of the Living Martyr, are heretical. Although, I believe it is far too early to come to a conclusive ruling regarding these individuals, I would not lump or compare them with the followers of Rashidun based on what I have been told. This Living Martyr individual that the Church was interested in does not seem to be a false prophet, and instead a religious figure or leader with significantly less power. The Aemish also seem to put a large emphasis on the truth and discerning fact from fiction which they claim to be a commandment of the Living Martyr, and I believe a large focus of their faith is dedicated to proving the existence of GOD and truth of the Canon. The logic the Aemish used being that the World holds testament to the Lord’s creation of it. I believe that far more study needs to be conducted regarding the nature of the rites and philosophy of the Aemish, and am eager to examine a physical copy of the Scrolls from the Aemish and watch an Aemish prayer ritual. 

 

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Praise be to Him, Master of Man, Bringer of Paradise, Font of Wisdom, Well of Mercy, the Lord GOD!

[Callistus 988]

Vicar Viedrick, with whom the faithful brother had met in noble pursuit, signs in peace the mark of Lorraine and awaits with conviction the discourse to come.

“Bless thee, in whom GOD had accorded knowledge and righteous seeking, and in whose audience we found heed and reason.”