Abaty'r Tri Hierarchaeth

[JoanOfArc 4586]

Abaty'r Tri Hierarchaeth

Written by Father Gawain Briarwood, FSSCT

 

"O Lord God, maker of all, have mercy on me, a sinner."

-St. Lucien Prayer

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Foreword:

Having come to the Holy Orenian Empire from the duchy of Gwynon located in the borders of the Aeldinic Empire, I have come to see many sights and beloved imagery crafted from the Western Emperor’s loyal subjects. With the great iconography and art on display within the Empire, it has since left me with a great melancholy however. The architecture, music and the arts within the Aeldinic Empire are solely unique to the land and only seem to inspire certain Kaedreni artisans within the West. So, upon the first request for me to dedicate a thesis to a topic of the Canonist Faith that interested me so, I knew with most certainly crafting a thesis on the beloved Abbey of the Three Hierarchs was wholeheartedly needed. May this thesis inform you, and may forever the Aeldinic Empire prosper and the Horosids be blessed. May God guide the Holy Mother Church forever and ever. Amen.

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Varedonzian artwork depicting the High Priest of the Varedonzian sun god, late Aeldinic Second Era.

 

Abaty'r Tri Hierarchaeth-- henceforth called by its name in common, the Abbey of the Three Hierarchs-- is located upon the outskirts of the city of Rhysten in the eastern portion of Gwynon. It rests in a dip between three hills and extends to those three said hills. The architecture is a blend of Varedonzian design meshed in with Kaedreni-Gwyonese reconstruction efforts in the outer portions of the Abbey. Leftover pagan representation is still found within its walls to this day, though with a True Faith and Ashford twist to each. The use of the Kaedreni Cross is paramount in this True Faith takeover and is added to carvings. For the mosaics depicting elven pagans and sun god were changed to saints of the True Faith and the sun was changed to the iconic Ashford sun in which we see today. And lastly, icons were established throughout the convent consisting of pre-Canonist saints.

 

The Abbey finds its origins within the precursor empire of Aeldin, the Varedonzian Empire. According to the testimony of few non-dispersed elfkin and written records from Rhysten proper, the Abbey was primarily founded on the worship of the Varedonzian sun god in the Second Era of Aeldin, but it fell into disarray towards the latter part of the Late Era. The purpose of the holy site works very similarly to how it does today with the main structure having monastic cells attached for monastics who practice quiet contemplation on spiritual matters, while the main structure focuses on performing rites and evangelization of the faith for laymen in the surrounding area. The site seemingly had much impact on the surrounding area as famous sites like the penal colony of Ulmsbottom north of it had adopted the worship of the Varezondian sun god by the time of St. Lucien of Ulmsbottom’s birth.

 

Kaedreni artwork of St. Lucien in Gwynon, 1421.

 

The reconstruction of the Abbey of the Three Hierarchs into a holy site for the True Faith came about during the Imperial Era. During the imperial conquest under Emperor Horen I, the weakened western kingdoms quickly fell under the banner of the newly formed Empire under him. Along with the conquest came evangelization of the True Faith to the populace of this foreign continent. The former High Pontiff St. Lucien I, wishing to return to his homeland and see Ulmsbottom turn away from their elven pagan roots, travelled with Chivay levies to Gwynon. The army marched through Gwynon and subjected it with not much resistance from the righteous army. St. Lucien spread the word of God as they went to-and-fro, quickly converting the prisoners residing in Ulmsbottom. After accomplishing final goal in life, he travelled south to visit the site of his old faith in an effort to demolish it.

 

Upon setting foot on the Abbey’s ground, the saint found it mostly ran down with even grass seeping onto the floor from outside. His mind instantly turned from demolishing the site to something more. The saint took a small fraction of the army and dedicated them to the reconstruction of the abbey to being a proper place of worship, determined that what the pagans made for blasphemy he would make anew. The army helped reconstruct the central building and array it with new mosaics and added icons in several locations. On top of that, upon the three hills that surrounded the main building, they added shrines dedicated to the three exalted that had revealed themselves at the time: Ex. Horen, Ex. Owyn, and Ex. Godfrey. After finishing the large project, the army followed suit and began peacekeeping operations within Gwynon, but not before the former High Pontiff blessed the land as a sacred place for God within his homeland.

 

Since the reconstruction of the abbey, the abbey has only undergone a few additions. Several shrines were placed at the bottom of each of the Prophets’ hills. A shrine dedicated to St. Peter of Gaekrin under under Ex. Horen’s hill, a shrine dedicated to St. Lucien of UImsbottom under Ex. Owyn’s hill, and a shrine dedicated to St. Thomas of Gaekrin under Ex. Godfrey’s hill. Each of these shrines have grown over time to accommodate more and more icons depicting the Prophets’ and Saints’ works within their lives, with white roses placed throughout the countryside to signify the appreciation of the saints’ famous order: the Order of the White Rose. Additionally, a shrine was placed for Ex. Sigismund in front of the Abbey’s doors with words carved under the wood underneath the icon of Ex. Sigismund, “THE LORD’S PROPHECY IS FULFILLED”. 
 

The Abbey of the Three Hierarchs has since become an enormous pilgrimage destination with pilgrims from all over the Aeldinic Empire travelling to visit the handiwork of the High Pontiff saint. The citizens of Rhysten travel each month at the very least to offer donations to the site with even the Duke of Gwynon personally expensing the abbey’s costs should the monastics run short. The beautiful area of Gwynon and the architecture is a truly gorgeous sight to behold and one that has praised God with its existence for almost four hundred years. 

 

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O Saint Lucien, pray for us.

O Saint Peter, pray for us.

O Saint Thomas, pray for us.

O Holy Prophets, pray for us.

O Mother of Peace, pray for us.

Help us and save us. 

For while we are weak,

You are holy and righteous.

Guide us unto the Lord.

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