The Blessing of the Barrier

[Lortime 1153]

 

 

 

Seal of Imprintaur Granted by:

      Patriarch Alaric Cardinal Jorenus 

 

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“..The Lord saw Godfrey’s good work, and the forces of evil divided themselves. Plague swept the lands of iniquity, and walls crumbled before Godfrey’s armies. And he was joyful to be King of Men, and lo, the sons of Horen prospered under one kingly banner..”

 - Gospel, 6.38-40

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Often, we faithful of Jorenus, turn to the great Bastions and towering citadels and claim ourselves defended against evil. Our trust and our safety, lying solely within those tall walls, deep moats, and iron portcullises. Such is folly; the truest dangers, the deepest evils of sin, penetrate even the most impregnable fortresses with utter and absolute ease. 

 

We are reminded of the paganistic tendencies of the Edelites, whilst they were separated from their King, Joren. Even in this most sacred, most ancient place, sin penetrated the great defenses of the city, plunging itself into the children of man, and perverting their sensibilities, twisting their minds and corrupting their very soul. Though, the excising of sin is the most sacred and venerable work, to prevent sin from occurring through proactive blessings and measures, is the essential work of the laymen and the holy duty of the Cleric. 
 

 

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“…But the kingdom of Joren, his Edel, remained the domain of pagans and corrupters who practiced such immoralities upon each other that they grew more numerous each day…”

 - Gospel, 5.7

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Slothful, are we, who rely solely upon these physical manifestations of protection, become lax in our supplications to the Light Everlasting, who alone can grant us true reprieve from the encompassing darkness that seeks relentlessly to swallow our homes, our hearts, and our minds. 

 

Sin is immaterial, thus the means by which sin must be warded off too, must be beyond the physical realm. Thus, it is that we, the children of joren, do engage in a ritual known as the Blessing of the Barriers. Though typically meant to be performed upon the finished construction of a town’s new walls, it may be performed at any point. Walls serve as a Physical barrier against entropy and vile behaviours, yet crimes of the spirit know no boundaries. For this purpose, we consecrate the walls of a city that they may act as a spiritual barrier warding against the shackles of sin.

 

We too, must remind ourselves of the Foretellings of Auspice, how pernicious sin, that foul interloper, will one day become ubiquitous throughout the great realms of the land, deep within the plagued hearts of man. Though we cannot stave off the Prophecies of the Lord, we must always endeavour to ward ourselves and court brethren against the sin baying at our walls. 

 

 

The Ceremony 

 

The ceremony begins with the celebrant invoking the Light, and reminded those in attendance that no city is truly defensible without the grace of GODAN. It is an ideal that the City’s leadership be present, to dedicate themselves in equal parts to the Physical and Spiritual defense of the town or city in question. 

 

Light Everlasting, attend here the sanctification of these fortifications.

For even the people of Edel themselves, fell victim to the deceitful trickery

Of sin, of paganism and corruption.

We humbly invoke your name, that we may erect in your presence,

A ward against sin, enduring and as perpetual as your grace. 

 

It is at this point, the celebrant then asks those present, to carve, write, or otherwise etch the names of loved ones into the wall, whom they personally wish to see protected from sin, and who reside within the walls of the city. After everyone has had a chance to do so, the celebrant continues with the following.

 

Light Everlasting, witness here your children, 

Who have enumerated before your gaze, their dear and beloved.

As your blessed tabernacle once proved an absolute barrier against sin 

For the children and wife of Horen, 

Make these humble barriers a protection against iniquity.

 

It is at this point the local official, preferably the leader of the town or city, is invited to join the celebrant in prayer, and solemnly swears to be a defender of the people against not only physical harm, but spiritual iniquity.

 

Since the times of Horen, ev’ry Keep and Citadel bore a 

Castellan who swore upon his life to defend within, the children of god from the 

Exterior brigands, and foreign foes. 

Still greater is the duty of the Castellan, to enact the dual-duties of the faithful.

To preserve virtue; to expel sin. 

 

The Castellan is then asked if they will swear to the defense of his subjects, spiritually, and physically. Multiple officials may swear this simple oath, if the city is large enough that it bears a larger council and government.

 

Do you, [Name], swear to be a Castellan of these, thy subjects?

Do you swear, to offer even so much as your life in the pursuit and preservation

Of virtue in the face of eternal, ever-lurking sin? 

 

After the titular Castellan has sworn to protect the virtuousness of the local inhabitants, the zenith of the ceremony is finally reached, and the celebrant must then take holy water, and pour it over the walls of the settlement, to finalize the consecration of the barrier. 

 

Light Everlasting, witness here our cleansing this barrier,

With the sacred waters of gamesh. Sanctify these walls,

Make holy this city and fill her residents with virtue,

And protect them ere’more from the temptations of sin.

In Nomine Lucis et Nomine Exaltus,

Amen.