ENCHIRIDION VIRTUTIS - The Handbook of Virtue

[Sander 3156]

ENCHIRIDION VIRTUTIS
Handbook of Virtue

"Temperance"

This book or thesis serves as a mirror to the book, written much earlier by Fr. Clemens of Karosgrad, called ENCHIRIDION PECCATI; the Handbook of Sin. As one might suspect, this writ shall instead detail those deeds and behaviors which are deemed virtuous within the Canonist Faith as to encourage this behavior among the faithful flock. The virtues described here will mostly be from the source central to this side of our faith; the Scroll of Virtue. However in addition to the virtues described in the Scroll, I shall also include those deeds and behaviors which over time have come to be deemed virtuous by the Church and Canonism as a whole, usually being derived from or related to the Scroll of Virtue.

Laudetur Dominus,
Acolyte Arnaud de Novellen

 

 

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Virtutes Libri - Virtues of the Scroll

The category Virtutes Libri lists the seven capital or cardinal virtues of the Canonist Faith as described in the primary moral law; the Scroll of Gospel, where each of these is described in a Canticle. For exact wording, refer to the Scroll, here follows a contemporary explanation.
 

Faith 

The virtue of confidence or trust in others, specifically in God and the doctrines of the Church. The virtue of faith is the virtue of true belief in Holiness and morality and trusting that God exists and God is right.
 

Charity
The virtue of wealth of spirit, of caring not just for the Lord but your neighbor too, be they brothers of the faith or not. The virtue of charity is sharing that which God has provided for us and providing for those who do not have enough, for when wealth is shared, it is multiplied.

Temperance
The virtue of self-restraint, of knowing your limits and setting limits to enjoying worldly pleasures such as food, drink and love. The virtue of temperance is enjoying the good things God has provided for us, but restraining ourselves from enjoying too much of a good thing as to keep in sight that which really matters.

Diligence
The virtue of work and effort, of spending ourselves fruitfully for a worthwhile cause, for the betterment of ourselves, others, and the world we share. The virtue of diligence is spending the time God has granted us in a manner where we may look down at our works from the Seven Skies, and rejoice in our accomplishment.

Patience
The virtue of endurance of the soul, of lasting through the trials and tribulations God set on our path, knowing that with time, the right way to react to them and overcome them shall be presented, or else we shall be lauded post mortem for our fortitude through our suffering. The virtue of patience is perseverance and tolerance.

Fidelity
The virtue of loyalty and staying true, to God but also to one’s worldly duties. Your station, the path set out for you, your role in life, was appointed to you by divine providence, and it is a virtue to stay true to the course that has been set out. The virtue of fidelity is loyalty to duties, your brethren and your spouse.

Humility
The virtue of being humble, of knowing one’s place and of being modest. We cannot and thus should not judge ourselves on our deeds and morals, for in the end it will be God who will be the judge. The virtue of humility is recognizing that we are but mortal vessels, not greater beings, and that in the grander scheme of things, both beggar and king are puny.

 

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Virtutes Ecclesiae - Virtues of the Church

 

The category Virtutes Ecclesiae lists those virtues that were not outlined or specifically mentioned by the Scroll of Virtue, but have instead been deemed virtuous over time by the Church and Canonist society as a whole. These tend to relate to or be derived from the Virtutes Libri.
 

Kindness
The virtue of showing compassion and consideration for others, treating them the way oneself would like to be treated.

Cleanliness
The virtue of purity and keeping yourself and your surroundings clean, filthiness is a form of corruption of the work of God and could thus be argued to be the work of Iblees, thus getting rid of this filth is virtuous.

Justice
The virtue of doing the right thing in matters of morality, with choices made based on the morality of virtue and sin or in more day-to-day terms, secular law.

Celibacy
The virtue of abstaining from extramarital intercourse, for as described in the Scrolls; ‘none shall lie together but in holy union’.

Forgiveness
The virtue of granting one forgiveness for sins and trespasses, or of being forgiven. For the Scrolls state ‘you shall not raise a hand in wrath, nor in envy, nor in any kind of sin.’ The virtue of forgiveness is central to our faith, often being exercised through confession and penance. All of us mortals are prone to sin, thus we must be able to forgive one another.

Hope
The virtue of believing and thus expecting that God will deliver that which is good and righteous in the future. Everything is set out by God’s divine providence, thus in the end justice will be served and hope is the strength of the soul to hold out and wait for His holy justice.
 

Gratitude
The virtue of expressing thanks and appreciation for that which you receive. Not only does this virtue encourage charity, but it enables it, as without gratitude, there is no true charity, only meaningless giving.

Honesty
The virtue of speaking the truth and being trustworthy, many other virtues rely on honesty; without honesty there is no humility or faith for instance. Without honesty there can be no true morality, and he who is dishonest deceives not only his fellow man, but so too himself, though never the Lord.

Tolerance
The virtue of respecting the choices, states of being and beliefs of others, linked to kindness, humility and patience. While it is our duty as Canonists to try to guide the misguided, we must be tolerant with them for it is not up to us to judge them, that duty remains with the Lord God. Thus the best we can do with regards to upholding these virtues is to be tolerant with others, and strict with ourselves.
 

 

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Spoiler

The previously written Handbook of Sin: