Sotiranity

Sotiranity is a branch of Aurelianity, worshipping the god Sol Invictus. Sotiranity spread from Archadia in the 8th and 9th centuries AIC following the writings and life of Iosephos Sotiras which questioned the Omnican Church and established the Tor Ardwen regime.

Beliefs

Sotiranity differs from the beliefs of Aurelianity in a few key ways.

Relationship between the sun, moon, and Sol Invictus

Sotiranity rejects the dualist notions of Omnicanism. Instead of seeing the sun and moon as two different aspects of Sol Invictus, Sotiranity sees them as both being Sol Invictus himself, equal in proportion and representation. Sotiras claimed that since Sol Invictus is everything, it is wrong to assume that there are aspects of Sol Invictus, since these aspects are not everything. Thus, Sol Invictus is always both the supreme justice, represented by the sun, and the supreme mercy, represented by the moon, always perfect. Because of this, Sotiranity does not see importance in the timing of rituals to coincide with sunrise, sunset, or the solistices, as is common in Omicanism.

Imperial cult

Sotiranity firmly rejects the divinity of the Garantius line.

Decentralisation

Sotiranity rejects the centralised and organised religious structure of Omicanism. There is no Sotiran Heliarch. Believers are encouraged to have a personal relationship with Sol Invictus, to study the scriptures themselves, and to discuss theology amongst themselves. Sotirans have supported the translation and spread of the Certitudicon into as many languages as possible.

Generally, Sotirans reject canonization of Saints and the creation of holy orders, though this is not universal.

History

In 782 AIC, the Omnican priest Iosephos Sotiras issued a declaration that accused the Omnican Church of corruption and tyranny. Sotiras stated that the Church is to be disbanded, just as the Empire was disintegrated, and that people should only follow their local bishops. In 2 years, Sotiras is elected the bishop of Archadia. His first step was expelling the Heliarch from the city and declaring it a free religious state, known as Tor Ardwen. Sotiras accused the last heirs of the Garantius line of heresy, as he saw claiming divinity through Garantius Rex to be heretical and polytheistic, even though this claim has mostly been forgotten for over 2 centuries. The emperor and his family were burned at the stake. Sotiras died in 801 AIC. Missionary work continued to spread his message well into the 9th century, and Sotiranity was established throughout Hasperia.

Sotiranity in Archadia managed to be dominant until the conquest of István Nagy in 840 AIC. Even though the religion was then made illegal until 882 AIC, many Sotirans still lived in Archadia.

Today, Sotiranity has presence across Hasperia, notably in Leopoli and Nicoloviana.