A Thesis On: Ecclesiastical Decoration And Structure of the Sacred Architecture

[GMRO 6186]

 

Preface: It is my great hope to join the church to do something of worth with my life. I must admit that I have little training as an acolyte, if any, currently. I believe in scholarship and debate, and it is my sincere hope to cause change in the manner of my writings and, hopefully, one day, preaching. I write this thesis as I notice the lack of Imperial Cathedral days ahead of the coronation of Marcus I. I humbly hope that during his reign, we may debate the manner of church building before constructing a church that brings glory to GOD through our creation that which he gave to us.

- Ailred Ruthern

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A Thesis On: Ecclesiastical Decoration And Structure of the Sacred Architecture 

 

 

 

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“There he Horen drove the stakes of his tabernacle into four corners, and they became the boundaries of the holiest city.”

Scroll of Gospel, 3:8

 

“Finally, Horen and his tribe built homes of wood and cloth in the plains, and they built temples of stone, and had many children.”

Scroll of Gospel, 2:13

 

As devout faithful, it is our most holy purpose to keep to the will of GOD. Within the scrolls, there is no single explicit command regarding the decoration of sacred space; instead, there is a tension between the command for ordered holy architecture and the dangers of material excess. With the creation of the holy space of Horen’s holiest city, of which temples aim to recreate with their consecration today, and the command to build temples in strong material such as stone, the canon reveals that the creation of divine architecture is not merely functional, but an extension of divine command in the material world.

 

This thesis shall argue that ecclesiastical architecture should reflect the glory of GOD with great splendour and ornament, as extensions of virtuous labour and divine hierarchy. This thesis shall also examine the counter; however, through simplicity and humility, we may steer ourselves away from excess that would give way to idolatry and worship of the material over the spiritual. 
 

“For I have blessed you with My miracle of creation, and you shall draw nearer to My throne by your labours.“

Scroll of Virtue 4:6

 

It is through the command of GOD that, through our labours, we would draw nearer to his throne. To further that, we should not be idle, the chief construct of worship in the creation of works in honour of GOD, namely, temples, we may grow closer to GOD. These temples are not merely places of worship, nor should they be ultimately any place of random before their consecration, such as a tavern or castle storeroom, but places built with holy purpose and set aside for such. Whilst Horen did set his four corners where he would similarly reside, one might argue that this came out of necessity over explicit need, and so we should avoid chapels within castles and the like unless this space has been specifically designed for such. No more should architects cram or find use of a small space in their castles and fill them with a temple or chapel, nor should the clergy consecrate them. A temple of any sort should be designed in mind to give GLORY to GOD. 

 

We must further stress that, by our works growing closer to the throne of GOD, these works are made of stone. When Horen and his tribe had their first materials, they built homes of material with no importance as wood and cloth. Temples were built of stone, with finality and greater cost than to them. By this same standard, we must ensure that the temple is the rock of all towns, villages and settlements in its finality. A temple may not be made of materials that can denigrate, and by the cost of the time, should be made to honour GOD through the cost of its materials. It is of import therefore, we lavish our temples with the strongest materials and the most costly, for to do so is to honour God's will and his design.

 

“And by His Word the planes were rendered, and His Throne was in the Seventh Sky.”

Scroll of Gospel 1:3

 

Through GOD'S divine creation, his design is ordered and created with a specific purpose. As the faithful seek to replicate and extend GOD’s holy works, we must build similarly with intent as GOD had done so. His throne, or altar, should be placed in the high point of the temple as the symbol of the highest prestige. None may be above the throne in their pews or seats as some have come to build in their temples. Through the use of the throne, it extends the symbolic idea of a great king that is similarly continued throughout the scrolls. This further argues in favour of the use of wealth to be imbued within the temple with items of worth, such as gold and other precious materials. It must be further stated that, from a perspective of conversion, precious metals helps the point of conversion for the poor and uneducated, with high symbolism, statues and and points of education through paintings, the masses may be better educated than the simple which, whilst may be better for those seeking deeper contemplation, hampers the ability to allow a temple welcoming of all rather than the select few. 

 

Those who believe in the more austere temple will argue that whilst sacred structure is permitted, they should be careful to avoid too much luxury or pride within their building. To restrain in ecclesiastical decoration avoids the faithful from seeing the visible with the divine. Rather than adding to their faith, items of great splendour may be objects of corruption. 

 

“They did not wish to reject the soft beds and good wines… Nor the finely worked jewelry.” 

Scroll of Gospel 2:26 

 

Indeed, oftentimes sin is often cloaked in the disguise of the divine, such as Saul disguised as Horen. The faithful must therefore be wary that these great religious works are done in service to GOD, rather than done in pride. We must aim to replicate GOD’s holy works, but within creating holy architecture, it must reflect the glory of GOD and those who bring glory to him rather than that of ourselves. Whilst these buildings may be points of pride in the towns and where they are built, they must be done so with the mind to not lead us to corruption or the worship of false idols or ourselves. The Scrolls recognise such an issue, stating: 

 

“You have been proud and called my work your own.”

Scroll of Gospel 7:21

 

The faith is one of built-in hierarchy, and sacred architecture must reflect this. We must ensure to bring glory to GOD through our ability to create, and there is no greater holy mission than to build temples within GOD’s sacred order, as well as to decorate them with works that further show GOD’s mystical awe to inspire the faithful, convert the wicked and replicate in what mediums we can of GOD’s holy grace. Yet, these must be done with the right purpose. Within, we must not stray into corruption, nor let these decorations sway others into Iblees’ corruption. We must be wary of those who build great designs, not for GOD’s grace, but rather for their own selfish means. 

 

In practicality, therefore, when building our temples, we must follow the instructions of the scrolls. Our temples should be built with strong materials, for they are the pillars of our communities and our faith. As when houses were built of cloth and wood, our temples will be built of stone. These buildings should bring honour and glory to GOD’s holy works, and so should our temples be ugly; they should be torn down as against GOD’s divine order. I believe there is still room for debate on the decorations between temples and monasteries, the house of GOD must reflect his glory, but man’s vanity. A monastery for those who have already learned and seek further contemplation shall be different to one of the unread or uneducated masses. It is the belief of this thesis, however, that they should be decorated to show awe and bring God's splendour to the world to honour him. However, it is of great importance that we address the issue of the corruption of faith within some ecclesiastical architecture. Temples built by families, named in honour of their ancestors, and the worship of their families within the centre, is certainly a corruption of faith. For whilst an ancestor may be blessed or a saint, to centre those temples around one’s ancestors is certainly more honouring oneself than GOD.

 

Thus, while there does exist a level of danger that excess can lead to corruption for the faithful as they may be lost to the great splendours of wealth wherein they choose to worship the false, or the material over GOD, there is of greater import to GOD’s work. Our temples should reflect the highest glory of GOD, not our palaces or those places of hero worship wherein we worship our ancestors, whether pious or not. Our churches must be built as our pillars, our great bastions, for in a world where the Emperor’s peace has permeated, it is not the castle that stands assaulted, but rather our minds. Our churches must be adorned with the purpose to convert those wayward in faith, those lost, or those who seek malignant powers, such as those we fight in a crusade. The church, with its adornment, will stand as the chief power in our great realm. Meanwhile, those smaller places of faith, such as monasteries for quiet contemplation, shall be less adorned, where one can truly find God's holiness. To state simply, where God's beauty is found within his great works, this thesis argues that it shall not corrupt, but rather inspire and reveal the truth of GOD’s glory.

 

 

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Spoiler

Hi! This is my first time properly delving into church RP. It's been a ride! Hopefully reads okay.

 

[Ramon 5186]

"It is quite good for a first thesis. And certainly offers much food for thought,"

Mused one Cardinal Godfrey, who, in his old age (being about ninety-eight or so), with an ever worsening constitution, barely held onto his earthly life at all- though took the time to read theses all the same. Making sure to send a copy of the written thesis to the Prelate of the Priesthood that he might perhaps address the young man's desire to join the Church ((for lack of being able to go about it himself)) after he had finished with as much. 

 'You should invite him over, perhaps, to at least ensure he has everything he needs for his studies, if he already has a priest to study under..'

Were among the words the elderly Canonist clergyman jotted down on paper in the letter he sent alongside such.

@TheOnlyTub
 

[TheOnlyTub 550]

"Age has not dulled your taste Brother."

Iudas murmured after receiving one of his and Godfrey's many bird-brought correspondences. Thereafter laying his quill upon a subsequent letter of his own, this one to the hopeful acolyte.

 

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Acolyte,

This thesis has many merits, and serves as a guide to remind the Shepherds of the Faith their purpose in both teaching the virtues and living by them. It reminds us as well the original intention of the priesthood, that of humble shepherds, and the weight of Horen's covenant with GOD. I am pleased to accept your thesis and invite you into the priesthood.

IN NOMINE DEUS,
Iudas Cardinal Numenost

Prefect of the Priesthood

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