canonism THRONE AND ALTAR: Church and State in the True Faith

[rep2k 3192]

 

ℭ𝔥𝔲𝔯𝔠𝔥 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔖𝔱𝔞𝔱𝔢 𝔦𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔗𝔯𝔲𝔢 𝔉𝔞𝔦𝔱𝔥

 

[☩]

Penned and Published in the Year of 2019

by Father Witmar,

Vicar of Lemon Hill

 

☩

 

Chapters and Treatises

 

Foreword - An Introduction to the Matter

Chapter I - The Divine Mandate of Rule

Chapter II - The Bond Between Church and State

Chapter III - On the Just Ruler: Piety, Virtue, and Governance

Chapter IV - Canon Law and the Secular Realm

Chapter V - Saints, Kings, and the Legacy of Canonist Rule

Final Admonition - An Exhortation to the Faithful

 

☩

 

FOREWORD:

An Introduction to the Matter

 

The interplay between Church and State has long been a matter of contemplation and debate within the realm of Canonist governance. It is an issue that has stirred the minds of theologians, rulers, and the faithful alike, for upon it rests the very foundation of order and virtue in our society. Must the Crown bow before the Crozier, or is the Crozier but an ornament in the halls of kings? Does the priest serve merely as a spiritual shepherd, or does he wield the authority to shape the law of men? These are no idle questions, for in their answering, the path of Canonist civilization is determined.

 

This work follows two souls through scenes, and it does not seek to provide simple answers but rather to guide the reader through a discourse on the proper place of faith within governance. Through dialogue, we shall explore the moral duties of rulers, the rights of the Church, and the responsibilities of the faithful. We shall consider the wisdom of the Saints, the decrees of the High Pontiffs, and the teachings of the Scrolls themselves.

 

It is not the purpose of this writing to serve as a decree, nor to command assent by sheer authority, but rather to lead the reader to reflection, that he may, with the grace of God, discern the true harmony between the Throne and Altar.

 

Let us proceed then, in the spirit of inquiry and devotion, to examine this most weighty matter.

 

☩

 

CHAPTER I:

The Divine Mandate of Rule

 

 

[!] The conversation takes place in the courtyard of a northern monastery, where two men - Father Alfred and a young nobleman, Herr Johann - walk under the evening sky. The nobleman, troubled by the burdens of governance, has sought out Alfred for wisdom. They pass under terracotta archways, the flickering torchlight casting long shadows as they begin their discourse.

 

Herr Johann: Father Alfred, my heart is troubled. My father speaks often of the weight of the crown and the burdens of rule, yet I can't stop wondering... by what right do men, or well lords like my father claim dominion over others? Are rulers truly chosen by God, or is power simply taken by the strong?

Father Alfred: Ah, a question as old as kingship itself. You ask whether rule is but the work of steel and ambition, or if there is a divine mandate in governance. Tell me, Herr Johann, do you believe God is absent in the ordering of this world?

Herr Johann: No, certainly not! The Lord is sovereign over all.

Father Alfred: Then surely He is sovereign over rulers as well. From the days of yore, when Horen was crowned by the Lord's own hand, to this very moment, authority has been ordained from above. The Scroll of Virtue teaches: "And I am the Lord God without peer, and My Word is holy." If His Word is holy, then the order He establishes must be holy as well.

Herr Johann: But men are fallible, and many rulers are cruel. Does this not prove that some kings seize their thrones unjustly? I've personally read about many such cases.

Father Alfred: Indeed, men are fallible, but their fallibility does not undo God's will. Even among the worst kings, there is a purpose beyond our mortal sight. Consider Saint Joren, who suffered under tyranny yet upheld his faith. Or consider our Holy Fathers who have rebuked wayward emperors while anointing the righteous. It is not the sword that makes a king, but the anointing of wisdom, justice, and duty under God.

Herr Johann: Then what of rebellion? If a ruler strays from virtue, may he be overthrown?

Father Alfred: Hm, certainly an interesting question! If every man took up arms at the first sign of tyranny, the world would be nothing but chaos. Yet the Church teaches that unjust rulers are to be corrected, not mindlessly deposed. The Scroll of Spirit tells us: "The righteous shall govern with wisdom, and the faithful shall follow with trust." A ruler who betrays his sacred charge is to be called to repentance, but the sword is ever a last resort, for the spilling of blood stains both the rebel and the king alike.

Herr Johann: Then a ruler serves not for his own glory, but as a steward of God's will?

Father Alfred: Precisely. He is not master, but servant. The truly righteous sovereign of the guidance from the True Faith does not ask, ‘How may I rule?’ but rather, ‘How may I serve?’

-

The concept of divine rule is rooted in the Exalted Horen, who was crowned by the Lord Himself. His lineage carries the weight of divine authority, a tradition upheld by kings and emperors throughout history. The High Pontiffs, as stewards of faith, have both anointed and chastised rulers, affirming that authority is not an absolute claim of kings, but a sacred duty under God’s watchful eye.

 

The Church’s role in governance is not to wield the sword but to guide the hand that holds it. The balance of Throne and Altar ensures that a ruler does not stray from virtue, for a king who rules without faith is no king at all - he is but a man in golden robes, playing at power.

-

[!] As their walk nears its end, Herr Johann stops, gazing upon the monastery’s doors. He bows his head in thought before looking back at Alfred.

Herr Johann: Then, Father, I must govern with humility, not pride. A crown is not a trophy, but a burden of service.

Father Alfred: You begin to understand. Let this knowledge guide you, for your duty is not to yourself, but to your people, your Church, and God.

[!] With that, they step inside the monastery, their discussion leading them toward the next great question - the bond between the Church and the State.

☩

 

CHAPTER II:

The Bond Between Church and State

 

 

Herr Johann: Father, I know that I have yet to prove my faith and loyalty, but I must say that I have seen rulers who honor the Church only in words, while in deeds they care little for virtue. Is it truly necessary for the state to heed the Church?

Father Alfred: A king’s faith is not proven by mere words but by his deeds. The state wields the sword, yet without the Church, it may strike blindly. Is it not the priest who teaches the virtues of justice and mercy? A ruler untethered from faith rules only for himself, not for the people or God.

Brother Otto: But does this not risk the Church becoming too entangled in earthly power? What if priests seek to rule rather than guide?

Father Alfred: Oh, Otto- where did you come from? Anyways... Indeed, the Church does not seek to wear the crown, but to anoint it. The sacred and the temporal are like two pillars - each upholds the realm, yet neither should stand alone. When the Crown strays from virtue, who shall rebuke it? And when the Church forgets the plight of the people, who shall remind it? Throughout the history of Man, we had unexpected and horrific cases, such as one of our own High Pontiff Daniel the Third. God, was it a truly chaotical era...

Herr Johann: Then is it the duty of men like myself, knights and soldiers, to uphold this bond? We defend the realm, but do we not also serve the will of God?

Father Alfred: Precisely. The sword serves not only the king but the just order that God has willed. A righteous knight does not fight for a ruler’s ambition alone but for the peace and virtue of the realm. Just as the Church sanctifies kingship, so too does it bless those who take up arms in its defense.

-

The relationship between Church and State is one of harmony, and never of competition. Just as a body needs both head and heart, a nation needs both governance and spiritual guidance. History shows that when rulers disregard the Church, tyranny often follows, and when priests overreach into governance, corruption festers.

The Church does not claim the right to govern, but it holds the moral duty to counsel those who do. High Pontiffs have crowned emperors, but they have also excommunicated the wicked. This balance ensures that rulers remain just and that the faithful are not abandoned. The state defends the Church, and the Church sanctifies the state - a divine partnership ordained by God.

-

[!] The trio conversed for hours before emerging to pray in the sacred monastery, just before bedtime. Little did they know, it was written for them not to rest in their beds, but to continue their conversation after the prayer, in the stillness of the clear night.

☩

 

CHAPTER III:

On the Just Ruler: Piety, Virtue, and Governance

 

 

[!] The monastery yard lay still in the soft darkness of night. The distant rustle of leaves was the only sound, as the world held its breath in quiet reverence. Father Alfred and the young Johann sat on a weathered stone bench, their words now softer, tempered by the stillness of the evening. Their conversation had shifted from the solemn prayers of the day to the burdens of leadership, the night air cool and peaceful around them. As Alfred's eyes wandered, he noticed a small mound of earth near their feet - an ant house, teeming with life. He smiled, stroking his beard, before gesturing toward it.

Father Alfred: Look there, my son, do you see the ants?

Herr Johann: Aye, Father. They work tirelessly, each knowing their place. But why do you draw my gaze to them?

Father Alfred: Because within their tiny kingdom lies a truth greater than many a throne has known. They labor not for their own gain but for the good of the whole. The soldier ant does not feast while the worker toils. The queen does not command in tyranny but ensures the hive thrives. Such is the way of just governance.

Herr Johann: But men are not as simple as ants. Rulers have power, and with it comes temptation. What stops a king from ruling for himself rather than his people?

Father Alfred: Piety, virtue, and wisdom. A ruler who serves only himself is no better than a thief who steals from his own house. The just ruler, however, governs as a shepherd tends his flock - guiding, protecting, and ensuring none are left astray.

-

Throughout history, the greatest kings have been those who ruled not for their own pleasure but for the good of their subjects. The Scroll of Virtue speaks of Horen, chosen by the Lord, not because he was the strongest of men but because he was just.

The divine mandate of a ruler is not a license for tyranny, but a sacred burden. A king is but a steward of God’s will, entrusted with the souls of his people. The High Pontiffs of old have blessed and guided rulers, ensuring that their crowns are more than mere ornaments of power, but symbols of service and duty.

A ruler who forsakes virtue, who seeks only his own gain, invites ruin upon himself and his realm. The annals of history tell of emperors who ignored the guidance of the Church, who sought their own glory above all else—and whose empires crumbled into dust.

-

Herr Johann: And what of strength? Many say a weak ruler is worse than an unjust one.

Father Alfred: A ruler must be strong, but strength alone does not make one just. Even the mightiest lion is nothing if he devours his own pride. Strength must be tempered by virtue - justice, humility, and above all, the fear of God. Without these, strength becomes nothing but tyranny cloaked in majesty.

Herr Johann: But if a ruler must be just and strong, is it not a difficult road to walk? How does one know they are fit to rule?

Father Alfred: No man is born righteous. The Exalted Horen was crowned by God, yet even he sought wisdom in his days. The great kings of old knelt before priests and sought their counsel. A just ruler surrounds himself with men of virtue, takes heed of the Holy Scrolls, and governs not for his own glory but for the good of his realm and the salvation of his soul.

[!] Alfred stood up after a few moments of pondering, his hands behind his back while looking at Johann.

Father Alfred: You are surely aware of the long-gone Kingdom of Aaun, my boy. That poor realm had a sovereign for whom I hold great regret that he is no longer among us. The virtue I speak of was embodied by King John of Aaun. Beyond fulfilling his duty to his people, he remained ever loyal in service and counsel to the Mother Church. And, as so often happens, it was after his demise that his kingdom began to crumble - crumbling further and further until it drew its final breath.

Herr Johann: I am aware of John of Aaun, Father. During my studies, I read about both rulers and vicars of God. Saint High Pontiff Caius the First, High Pontiff Daniel the First, and so on.

Father Alfred: Then you are aware of their sacrifice for us. Yes, for us, for we are the ones who continue their work, diligently and bravely. Yet, it is imperative to speak of the harmony between Throne and Altar, a bond woven together since time immemorial.

-

A ruler's strength is not in his armies, nor in his wealth, but in his piety and virtue. The just ruler is like the shepherd tending his flock, the father guiding his children, the judge dispensing fairness. His duty is not to himself but to those he governs, and he is held accountable not only by his subjects but by God Himself.

The Scrolls remind us that power without restraint leads only to downfall. Just as the High Pontiffs of old have crowned the virtuous, so too have they deposed the wicked, ensuring that the throne remains a seat of justice, not tyranny.

One must not forget that a ruler is mortal. His reign, no matter how glorious, is temporary. But his deeds, whether good or wicked, are weighed in eternity. For the greatest judgment does not come from the people but from God.

-

Herr Johann: It is a fearful thing, then, to wear a crown.

Father Alfred: It is, my son. Many chase the throne, but few consider the burden it carries. Yet the righteous ruler does not fear the complexities of mortal duty - rather, he fears failing in the duties owed to God.

Herr Johann: Then I pray that should my time come, I will remember these words.

Father Alfred: May God guide you, should it be His will.

 

[!] After uttering a short prayer, both Alfred and Johann went on their way to their homes.

☩

 

CHAPTER IV:

Canon Law and the Secular Realm

 

 

[!] At the first ray of sunlight piercing through his window, Father Alfred rose from his bed and began his usual morning routine, prayer, and breakfast. Just as he went to tidy his table, a knock echoed at the door. Alfred seldom had visitors, especially in the morning, but this day was different. It was Herr Johann, seeking another conversation.

Father Alfred: Oh, Herr Johann. I'm quite surprised to see you, especially this early.

Herr Johann: Morning, Father. Do not be surprised, because this is when I usually wake up and seek any work. But today, I wanted to continue our conversation from before, as I woke up with a few questions.

Father Alfred: Hm, I see. Your father surely raised you well, seeing that you woke up before me! Alright... go sit behind the house and I will come in a second.

[!] After a brief few moments, Alfred came behind his house with two cups and a bowl of almonds for the two to have during their conversation.

Father Alfred: Now then, what weighs upon your mind so early in the morning?

Herr Johann: Father, you spoke before of rulers being bound to God’s will, but how does the law of the Church influence the law of the land? I hear many say that rulers must listen to the clergy, yet others claim that kings and dukes answer only to themselves.

Father Alfred: Ah, an age-old question, my son. The law of the Church is not merely a collection of decrees, but a moral foundation that guides rulers in their governance. Secular laws may be crafted by kings and councils, but they must be rooted in divine truth, lest they lead their people astray.

-

Canon Law is not merely a matter of religious obligation but of order and justice. From the time of Exalted Horen, whose laws mirrored divine wisdom, the faithful have understood that moral law must precede civic law. The Church, as the custodian of divine will, ensures that the rulers of men do not act in ways contrary to virtue. Many great kingdoms have fallen because their rulers abandoned this truth, placing worldly ambition above sacred duty. Even emperors and kings are but men before God, and the High Pontiff’s authority serves as a reminder that no mortal is above divine judgment.

-

Herr Johann: So a king or duke cannot make whatever laws they wish? Even if it benefits their people?

Father Alfred: A ruler must always consider the benefit of his people, but not all that benefits the people is righteous before God. If a law enriches a kingdom but leads its people to sin, is it truly just? This is why Canon Law stands as a guiding light - to remind rulers that their duty is not only to their subjects but to their Creator.

-

Throughout history, righteous rulers have sought the counsel of the Church in matters of law, recognizing that temporal power is fleeting, while divine truth is eternal. Saint Daniel the First, the Lawgiver for some, was praised not for his wealth or might, but for his dedication to justice rooted in faith. Likewise, High Pontiffs such as Saint Everard and Saint High Pontiff Everard the Second ensured that rulers remained steadfast in virtue. Those who listened to their guidance prospered, while those who defied them saw their thrones crumble.

-

Herr Johann: Then what happens if a ruler rejects Canon Law? Can the Church force them to obey?

Father Alfred: The Church does not rule by the sword but by the spirit. When rulers stray, the Church calls them back - not with violence, but with counsel and correction. Yet history shows that those who refuse to listen may face graver consequences, for a kingdom built in defiance of God will not stand forever.

Herr Johann: Then the balance must be maintained - rulers must respect the Church, and the Church must guide rulers in righteousness.

Father Alfred: Exactly, my son. The Throne and the Altar must remain in harmony, lest chaos and tyranny take hold. For just as a shepherd must care for his flock, a ruler must care for his people, and he cannot do so without the wisdom of faith.

[!] The two continued their discussion over almonds and warm drinks, the morning sun rising higher as their words wove the everlasting bond between Church and state.

☩

 

CHAPTER V:

Saints, Kings, and the Legacy of Canonist Rule

 

[!] As the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the monastery’s courtyard, Father Alfred and Herr Johann decided to relocate from Alfred's backyard, their conversation continuing as the young noble eagerly sought more wisdom.

Herr Johann: Father, you have spoken much of rulers alongside their duty, their piety, and their judgment. But what of those rulers who are more than just kings? What of those who have become Saints?

Father Alfred: Ah, my son, now you touch upon the loftiest of examples. The annals of our faith hold the names of kings and emperors who ruled not only with the sword and scepter but with the grace of the Lord. Their legacy is not in crowns of gold but in halos of light.

Herr Johann: Then tell me, who among them should a young noble such as myself look to for guidance?

Father Alfred: Many, my son, but let me tell you of a few.

-

Among the greatest rulers to be canonized, Exalted Horen stands foremost, the first anointed sovereign of man, crowned by God Himself. His reign was not merely one of earthly rule but of divine guidance, for he led his people not by might, but by the very words of the Lord.

Yet, there were others - kings who bore their crowns not only with authority but with righteousness. Saint Henry of Alban, was not exactly a ruler, but whose unwavering piety saw him wield his scepter as a shepherd's staff, guiding his people through faith. Saint King Caius of the Westerlands, a ruler who understood that his throne was not his to own, but to steward in the name of God. And Saint Joren of Paradisus, who aided and united his people under the banner of virtue and justice.

These men ruled not for their own glory, but for the glory of the Lord. Their deeds are recorded not in mere chronicles, but in the sacred halls of the Church, their names whispered in prayers, their examples enduring far beyond their mortal lives.

-

Herr Johann: It seems, then, that the greatest kings are those who seek not their own triumphs, but the triumph of virtue. Yet, tell me, Father—why do some kings fail? Why do some kingdoms fall while others endure?

Father Alfred: Because, my son, a kingdom that strays from God will find itself lost in darkness. The annals of history are filled with the ruins of empires that abandoned the faith, that turned from the Church, and sought only their own gain.

Herr Johann: But surely, Father, there have been great kingdoms - mighty and vast - that did not hold to the faith, and yet they flourished for many years. What of them? How did they stand?

Father Alfred: Ah, but tell me, Johann, where are those kingdoms now? Where is the strength and pride of decadent Orenia, or the terror of the old pagans? Their banners have fallen, their walls have crumbled, and their names are spoken only as lessons in folly. They stood, for a time, by the will of men, but nothing built by human hands alone may stand forever.

Herr Johann: And yet, there are those who would say that power is its own justification, that kingdoms rise and fall as they always have, regardless of faith. Are not the fortunes of men decided by the sword as much as by the altar?

Father Alfred: That is the thinking of those who do not understand the nature of power, my son. The sword may build an empire, but it cannot give it a soul. Look upon the kings of old who sought only conquest... Many achieved greatness in their time, but their legacies were swallowed by the ages. Their names inspire fear, perhaps, but not devotion. Their empires passed like shadows at dusk.

Herr Johann: Then what must a ruler do to ensure his kingdom does not suffer such a fate? If armies and gold cannot preserve a realm, what can?

Father Alfred: A ruler must root his kingdom not in steel or coin, but in righteousness. A people bound by faith and virtue will endure hardships, will stand firm in trials, will weather the storms of time. The greatest kingdoms are not those that build the highest walls, but those that instill the highest virtues in their people.

Herr Johann: And yet, Father, even righteous kingdoms have fallen. Even pious kings have seen their realms brought to ruin. If virtue alone were enough, would not the greatest of kingdoms stand forever?

Father Alfred: Indeed, my son, even the just may suffer. But consider this - when the wicked perish, they are forgotten, and their works are turned to dust. When the righteous fall, their deeds live on, and their people rise anew. A kingdom may be torn down, but if it was founded in faith, it shall be rebuilt. No righteous man’s labor is ever truly lost.

Herr Johann: So then, a kingdom’s true strength is not in its stone or its soldiers, but in the hearts of its people?

Father Alfred: Just so. A ruler may command thousands of swords, yet if he does not command righteousness, his kingdom is doomed. A kingdom without virtue is a castle built on sand - when the storms of time come, it shall not stand.

☩

 

FINAL ADMONITION: 

An Exhortation to the Faithful

 

-

"So I am the Most High, and in pursuit of My Virtue, I bid my faithful this: You shall not be idle, nor forget your duties in favor of sloth." (Virtue, 4:8)

-

[!] Father Alfred’s words grew solemn as he turned his gaze to Herr Johann, the weight of decades of wisdom resting upon his shoulders. The young noble sat in silent anticipation, knowing that this final lesson was one of great importance.

Father Alfred: My son, we have spoken of kings and saints, of their triumphs and their failings, of the rise and fall of kingdoms. But now I speak to you not as a scholar to a pupil, nor even as a priest to a noble, but as a father to his son in faith. What I tell you now is not merely history nor mere counsel - it is a charge, a solemn admonition to all who would walk the path of righteousness.

A time will come when you shall be tested. Perhaps not by the sword, nor by the weight of a crown, but by the trials that befall every man of virtue. You will be called to choose between ease and duty, between comfort and sacrifice. You will stand at the crossroads where many have faltered, where some have bartered away their souls for fleeting gain. In that moment, remember this: a man is not judged by the glory he attains in life, but by the faith he holds steadfast unto death.

The world shall tempt you with gold and power, whispering that righteousness is for the meek and that only the strong shall inherit the earth. But I tell you, my son, it is not the strong in flesh who shall endure, but the strong in spirit. For what does it profit a man to gain the world and yet lose his soul? Many have ruled over vast dominions, yet now lie forgotten beneath the dust, while the saints who lived in humility now reign forever in the presence of the Lord.

Do not look to the faithless for guidance, nor seek wisdom in the words of those who scoff at holiness. The wisdom of the world is folly before God, and the mighty of this age shall be brought low when the days of reckoning come. Stand firm in the truth, though the winds of heresy blow strong. Hold fast to virtue, though the path of sin seems broad and easy.

You have asked me, my son, what makes a kingdom endure. You have asked what sets a righteous ruler apart from those who crumble into ruin. And now I say to you: it is not wealth, nor strength, nor the cunning of men that sustains a kingdom, but the grace of God and the faith of His people. If a kingdom forgets this, if a people abandon the covenant that binds them to their Creator, then their fall is certain. But if they remember, if they remain steadfast, then no storm shall shake their foundation, and their legacy shall be one of eternal light.

Go forth, then, and live not as those who wander without purpose, but as one who carries the banner of truth. Be a light in the darkness, a voice against the tide, a servant of the Lord in all that you do. For in the end, no man shall be judged by the throne he sat upon nor the wealth he amassed, but by the faith he bore and the deeds he rendered in the name of the Almighty.

Stand firm, walk righteously, and never let your heart be turned from the path of the just. For the trials of this world are fleeting, but the rewards of the faithful endure forever.

 

☩

[Nooblius 7965]

Anorhil Carandir attentively studies the writing of Father Witmar. Content with it, he calls for some scribes to make copies for the Scholarium and the household library. "A fine work!- reminds me of former days when I would ask similar questions to Callahan. I ought have a word about it with the good Vicar of Mont Lemon, and see if I can hear his remarks for my own examinations..."

[Ramon 5186]

"A truly blessed work,"

Cardinal Godfrey commented from his hospital bed within Vallagne's hospital. Still recovering from that terrible, terrible fishing accident (who knew Godfrey wasn't exactly a fisherman?) that had happened just a month prior. He was glad his former acolyte Witmar kept writing dissertations and theses as reading them helped keep him at least somewhat busy. 

"The library at Reinmar will be completely full of Witmar's work should he keep this up."