- ARCHIVE - Imperial Court of Constantinople

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One lone bishop sat alone in a corner of the villa and listened to the so called 'Exarch''s words. Unable to hold himself any longer, he rose and spoke:

"Our faith is shattered and the dogs in this city kill our people and our holy father! Only one thing is for certain....

We need our faith to be led from Constantinople! This holy city is the only place where we may be led from. I put forward my candidate in the most Roman archbishop of Morea, Hellas, Naxos, Chios, Rhodes, Cyprus, Lesbos, and Crete the most holy Stephen Klotzastanopolos. He will lead our faith!

I give you a personal guarantee: he is sanctioned by the emperor himself as well...

Will you who proclaim to be of the orthodox christian faith stand against the wishes of the fallen patriarch and the emperor? If so then let you see this...."

The holyman lifts a letter over his head and shows it one by one to the attending members at the synod. It is signed and sealed by the mark of the patriarch Joseph II

"Allow me brothers to read this to you:"

"My dear Stephen,

The emperor has briefed me that some Genoaese men have said a large group of tartars is moving southeastward towards the city. He has asked me to flee to Morea, Athens or Italy where I should be safe..but I cannot leave my people here alone.

Should I die here serving god, I would have you take my place as the leader of our religion. I have instructed my bishops on my wishes and I know they shall vote their heart when the time comes. Only a believer in God such as yourself is worthy of such a position. God bless you and keep our religion safe.

Signed by his own hand,

Patriarch Joseph II"

The bishop continues:

"So you can see! Our beloved departed holy father wanted this man from Greece to be his successor! I know that the bishops of greece will vote their hearts and give this man their support. Who among you can claim to be of true orthodoxy and deny this matyr...this saint..he who fell in the holiest of places defending his religion...who will deny this man's dying wish!?"

The bishop scans the synod and nodding once to the 'Exarch', he takes his seat once more.

 

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One of the bishops of southern Russia stands up.

"However, that should be balanced by the fact that some of Joseph II's final decisions were... questionable. Truly, this is the first time that the broken church has met since it's sundering. But we must not forget that it was Joseph's playing at politics which caused the formation of a rival church in Moscow, as well as the majority of the church believing that he had lost God's favor and seeking his replacement. However, we should not hold this against our brother the Archbishop of Morea."

 

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The Bishop of Pskov shuffles forward. He still looks gaunt and somewhat pale despite medical treatment.

Esteemed delegates, I believe the Metropolitan of Novgorod, Aleksandr Luganov, would be a excellent choice for the position of our esteemed Father. Unlike the apostites of Muscowy and Karelia, he has never wavered from his faith, even as his city was occupied by the Karelian armies, their defenders slaughtered in a most un-Christian manner. The Archbishop of Morea is a pious man, no doubt, but his realm lies on the frontiers of the Muslims, who are poised to extinguish the independence of the Greek East for all time. In addition, I agree with the esteemed Bishop who has preceeded me in that we must take into account our last Holy Father's actions and their implications.

 

[driftwood]

Nikolos, Patriarch of Bulgaria, rises.

"As the only patriarch recognzied by the ecumenical community here, since my colleagues from Alexandria, Jerusalem, and Antioch are not present, I hope you will all grant me the privilege of speaking my peace."

He looks around the synod from beneath craggy eyebrows. As no appears ready to dispute his right to speak, he continues.

"In these iconoclastic times, when tradition is thrown away purely for the sake of spiteful rebellion, I would like to remind you all of a few facts from our divinely-ordained history. No patriarch has ever appointed his successor - that is a right reserved solely to the body of the Church, of whose will we are the physical manifestation. We would look to the Emperor, Co-equal to the Apostles and God's Viceregent on Earth, for a nomination, but he is sadly not present. Therefore we must trust in God to guide our hands and our voices."

He stops to clear his throat. "But of course whomever we choose will assume Constantinople as his see; it is inconceivable to imagine someone fulfilling that duty from Novgorod or Mistra. So the location of a candidate is irrelevant - all that matters is his fidelity to God, His Church on Earth, and the decisions of that Church."

He pulls a scroll from his vestment and slowly unfurls it with quivering hands. "Finally, I have received word that the Ottoman Sultan has suggested we hold our proceedings in the Church of the Apostles, built by Constantine the Great to hold the bodies of the original 12 and then himself, which is in relatively good condition."

He lets the scroll snap close. "That is, if we wish to hold these proceedings in a suitably spiritual milieu."

 

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The Old Bishop from Moskva makes his way threw the crowds of priests and audience. He is overweight and is aged in the old ways of the faith, being threw three Patriarchs all together.

Brothers, my name is Ivan Vinsoliv of the most holy city of the north, Moskva. Death...is never a good thing, however at times it is neccessary. The man was a fool! A jester for the Devil! Such a spineless being should be glad to rest. Constantinople has gotten what it has deserved. They city was burnt, for the Mongol's were sick of the cheek kissing. We in Moskva and Novgorod or at least the RIGHTFUL rulers of Novgorod, much unlike the pretenders now, have known of this, and have not supported such horrible behavior. It has come clear to us at the Church of St. Sergius, that new leadership is needed, but that new leadership is not to be found so far from the lands of Rurik ever again, with this utter disgrace of a "leader" and "city."My brothers, please, let me break this down for you all to better "understand."

The Patriarch, the Holy One before the existence of this so called "Holy One" seemed to have disappeared?Where has he gone?What has happened to him?I can tell you what, this Joseph that now rests in hell, has slain him and his close allies in the Holy Church here, for his own greed. After such, Joseph "assumed" the power of the Holy One, but without any consent from any of the Orthodox nations, and without any explanation as to what has happened to the previous Holy See. Well, unlike the blind fools of Pskov, Tver, Suzdal, and the Islamic states, we in Moskva and the RIGHTFUL rulers of Novgorod, have known of this. We have known of this conspiracy, and will not follow it, as it is the will of Satan. The others, simplied didn't question, and followed it out of obvious greed.

I do not condem leaders of the states, no, I do not condem the people that live there, no, I condem YOU my brothers! Yes you! You all who were fools to begin with! I cannot belive you have backed behind such a heathen! Well, as it seems Moskva and Novgorod are alone the only TRUE Orthodox states left in Europe and Euro-Asia, then it is clear we must lead the Church of Russia and Rurik. God has called it! It brings tears that greed rules the minds of my fellow brothers, and I shall pray for your souls...

Ivan pauses for a moment, to see the anger glarring at him, but the true faces finally. He closes his eyes in a wise fashion, and then opens them as he turns directly glarring at the delegates from Pskov and the Horde.

I have unlocked the truth, now come and confess. If you wish to kill me for it, then be my guest all of you. I have no fear, no Priest in the Holy Lands of Mucovy fears you, for we have the will and power of God and his Holy Judgement. I have spoken ill of you, however, it is to get my point across my brothers. Obviously, nothing else would...

Ivan pauses again...and closes his eyes again, as he hears the audieance and the Priest's responses to his holy truth.He opens them when he regains some more calm.

...My brothers...unless we agree on a "clean" and trully blessed one for leader of our faith, together, Moskva and Novgorod, shall never bow to the likes of Constantinople ever again after such humiliation, greed, and failure. Moskva is the largest and richest city of the North. Constantinople is no more. Moskva's divine leader, Alexandra...a woman, has led her armies to victory and at no armies of her own, by the will of a miracle! A God given miracle! He has punished the corruption and evil of the once sacred city of God...Constantinople, and to bring the pretender to his justice. He has brought a plague that stretches across the face of Europe as we speak, like the last "Black Death," to punish mankind, because of those gathered here today...

..It is so...the will of the most respected and holy Metropolitan of Moskva, the richest, most populated, most sacred, most unharmed, most divine, most grandest city of cities in the North and of all Russia...Moskva! Now the Holy Patriarch of the TRUE Orthodox faith and that of the leader of Russians, and their liberty from heretics! Moskva, the city of the divine Alexandra and her grand peoples! Moskva...the city of a great miracle that has happened, TWICE! Moska, the tear of humanity...as it now suffers because of what has happened here with you and your incompetence or greed!The lands, and peoples of Russia cry for the divinity of Moskva and St. Sergius, to lead the Russian Orthodox Church, away from the former Greek greed, and consipracy...I have spoken of what the words of the Church of St. Sergius, myself, God, Moskva, Alexandra, and of the Russians have been crying for since this supposed rise to malicious power of Joseph...now, if you would be so kind as to present your lies once more before the choosen Metropolitan of Moskva, now...you may.

As Ivan, this old man, that has survived through three Patriachs all of which were holy except for the last...has weilded his shepard's staff in emphasis, and sent by Sergius Rublev utters these words before all. Most have never heard such things before, as those of the innocent Albanians and Bulgarians. To those of the dishonerable Pskovites and Horde scum. He has spoken the truth of what has happened and it has exhausted his old self greatly...perhaps speaking so much for his last time...He has done, his job, now it is up to the response, which is mostly clear in the minds of the Muscovites as they have foreseen such.

Ivan...bows again, for whatever little or much respect he may have or have not weilded with his eyes shut. He picks up his shepard's staff and limps, hunched over, with the aid of a Moskva Priest whom cries at his strong words of wisdom and truth and helps him to his seat...Ivan then, ignoring the constent yells and sounds around him, kneels again...with the aid of the Priest, and together they pray upon the holy rosary...

 

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Piotr Lodonov, reclining in his seat, rolls his eyes.

These Muscovite apostites are fit only to be ignored. Soon enough the people of their realms will beg for the blessings of the Church.

Gentle delegates, as I'm sure we all have urgent business to attend to back in our respective realms, I would inquire as to whether there are any other candidates to present themselves, and if not, ask that we proceed to selecting our Father.

 

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Ivan Dmitri stands up, shaking his head.

"My good sir, if snivelling at the other kings of Europe for gold and soldiers is a divine blessing, then the Princess of Moscow is indeed truly blessed." Most of the delegates break into laughter at this.

"Remember, brother, you have been invited here as a courtesy, in hopes that you will return to the true faith. If you cannot hold these political rants within yourself, then I suggest you return to Moscow, where they no doubt will appreciate your divisive speeches. We are here to elect a new Patriarch, not to turn the church over to a cabal of traitors, whose only reason for leaving the church was to justify Alexandra's mad urges to conquer her neighbors." Throughout this speech, he glares disapprovingly at the Moscovite priest.

"Now let us return to our duty. The Archbishop of Morea has been brought forward as a candidate. Are there any others?"

 

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The Bishop of Pskov coughs politely and speaks once more.

Indeed there is another candidate. You must have missed my announcement on the subject, brother. I have presented the Metropolitan of Novgorod, Aleksandr Luganov, as a candidate for the position of Patriarch, and I sponsor him fully.

The Metropolitan has been restrained by matters of faith in Rus and will appear here shortly.

 

[driftwood]

Nikolos of Bulgaria rises.

"I wish to make two proposals: first, I nominate John of Thessalonica, Archbishop, who has tended his massive flock with great fortitude and compassion during the Emperor's ... fluctuations of fortune."

The Archbishop stands and bows his head to all the delegates, but does not speak.

"Second, after the election of a new patriarch, I move that this synod formally consider the matter of the Muscovite heresy, that it may be expatiated from the Body of the Church - voluntarily or otherwise."

 

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The aged Ivan rolls his aged eyes, and gets up after praying only to slam the written accusations of Heresey among the others written by the now Patriarch of Moskva on the ground. He winks, and with his only companion the moved Priest, he leaves, completely ignoring everything else that happens, as he leaves back to the Holy See in Moskva, as he has come to only present the case of Moskva without any invitation, as Moskva being holy does not need such mortal invites. He shakes his head as he leaves and disregards the others simply of being incompetent and not worthy of the lord.

 

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Ivan smiles.

"Now that the cancer has been exhumed from our midst, let us vote on the three candidates. Either Stephen Klotzastanopolos, Archbishop of Morea, Aleksandr Luganov, Metropolitan of Novgorod, or John, Archbishop of Thessalonika. I suggest that you all take a moment to pray for guidance from the lord about such matters."

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The voice of God speaks
(OOC: Voting, being done by bishoprics, will be handled like so:
Albania - 1 vote
Byzantium - 2 votes
Athens - 1 vote
Suzdal - 1 vote
Pskov - 2 votes
Tver - 1 vote
The Ottoman Empire - 3 votes
The Golden Horde - 2 votes.
These were worked up using approximate populations and the like. If anyone takes issue with them, let me know.)
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Piotr Lodonov, representing Pskov, casts it's two votes for Aleksandr Luganov, Metropolitan of Novgorod.

 

[driftwood]

The Archbishops of Nicaea, Sofia, and Thessalonica cast their votes for John of Thessalonica.

"How do you think the Lithuanian bishops will vote?" whispered one priest in attendance.

"Shhh," his friend replied. "I don't think they were granted voting rights!"

 

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Archbishops of Morea and Jaronople vote for Stephen of Morea.

 

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The bisop of Albainia casts a vote for Stephen of Morea.

 

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Ivan Dmitri rises.

"Despite the difficulties that have plagued the church as of late, I desire more than anything to see a return to the glory of old. Therefore, the bishops of the lands controlled by the Golden Horde vote for Stephen of Morea."

 

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The Accord of Constantinople

I. As of this day, April 29, 1426, a state of war no longer exists between the Roman Empire of the East and the Golden Ohrdu.

II. The province of Thrace, along with the city of Constantinople, is hearby ceded to the Golden Ohrdu.


X Bars Khan
X Emperor Demetrios I

 

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Hieromonk Polycarp, envoy of Vitali, Metropolitan of Suzdal, rises from his prayers to cast his vote.

"As the representative of Metropolitan Vitali, I, Polycarp, priest-monk, cast a vote for Archbishop John of Thessalonica."

 

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The Athenian Archbishop runs into the room were all the priests of the Orhtodox faith are meeting. He bows deeply and speaks.

"Greetings, I apologize for my tardyness, however the situation with the Duke required my full attention."

He moves to his seat.

"As the Athenian Archbishop, I vote for Archbishop John of Thessalonica"

 

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Ivan Dmitri suddenly recieves a message from a page.

"Brothers, the Metropolitan of Tver is unable to attend. He is held at Tver by the last remnants of the plague which affected all lands. Therefore, I declare that the Election has produced a tie between Stephen of Morea and John of Thessalonika. Therefore, a second round of voting will proceed, where those who voted for the Metropolitan of Novgorod may vote for either candidate. Vote wisely, my friends, for the fate of the Orthodox church lies in your hands."