2020.1.9
COLONY DD-8153, SYNDICATE
The third known branch of the Amarrian Orthodox Church, Sedevacantist opened today in the Syndicate colony of DD-8153, following a procession of an empty throne through the colony’s main street. The Sedevacantist Church, which believes the Amarr Throne to be vacant and Empress Catiz to be illegitimate, is not the first Amarrian church in the colony, as the Ishuk-Raata Enforcement Directive’s so-called “Project Dustbowl” successfully brought Amarr missionaries to the colony nine years ago, and Amarrian churches remain active there to this day. The Sedevacantist Church’s DD-8153 congregation was led by former street preacher Boran Khosrow, who like the church’s de facto leader Nauplius hails from the Khanid Kingdom world of Danera V.
Fr. Khosrow’s first sermon continued the Sedevacantist Church’s practice of adapting the church’s teaching to local conditions. While sermons at the sedevacantists’ Lamadent branch have fulminated against Minmatar immigrants, and those at their Venal branch emphasized the benefits of slavery to its working class audience, Fr. Khosrow had another message for his Intaki congregation: Turn or burn. Fr. Khosrow began calmly and quietly, describing the facts of Khanid Sa-Baron Atazil Kufail’s assassination by Intaki militants a year and a half ago. His voice rising, Fr. Khosrow then explained that God is angry with the Intaki who are collectively guilty of this murder, that he is angry with this very congregation, that he burns with hatred toward them, and that at that very moment only his mysterious will prevents them from sliding headlong into the Pit of Hell, whose fires lapped at their heels that very moment. His voice reaching a furious crescendo, the Reverend then described in exquisite detail the horrific, grusome punishments that his audience would suffer in Hell. Finally, Fr. Khosrow immediately shifted tone, his face and words becoming kindly and merciful, telling the congregation that soon, very soon, God will restore a valid Emperor to the throne, an Emperor who will open his arms to the Intaki and allow them to join the Reclaiming voluntarily, saving them from the wrath of an angry God.
While some of the congregation walked out in disgust during the sermon, others were visibly moved, swooning and crying out, “What must I do to be saved” as Fr. Khosrow detailed all the various ways they will be tortured in Hell. After the service, some of the congregation gathered around the empty throne in the center of the worship space, weeping and bowing down to it, praying that the valid Emperor would come soon and save them from Hell. While they prayed, Fr. Khosrow comforted them and sprinkled them with holy water.