Piotr Lodonov votes for John of Thessalonika on behalf of the Bishop of Pskov and the Bishop of Novgorod.
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As the Pskovians vote, Exarch Ivan rises.
"God has spoken. Long live the true, Orthodox faith. Let John, Archbishop of Thessalonika come forth."
John steps forward, a serene expression on his face. Two men come forward as well, bearing the crown and scepter of the Patriarch. Kneeling before John and Ivan, they proffer the items, which Ivan takes.
"Chosen by God, confirmed by his church, you are John XV, Bishop of Constantinople and the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Holy Great Church of Christ, the Mother Church." As Ivan leans forward to place the crown on his head, he whispers in John's ear "We have not done you a favor this day. The work ahead is hard. May God be with you, Holy Father." With that, he hands John the scepter and turns around.
"Long live the Holy Father! Long live the Holy Father!"
"God has spoken. Long live the true, Orthodox faith. Let John, Archbishop of Thessalonika come forth."
John steps forward, a serene expression on his face. Two men come forward as well, bearing the crown and scepter of the Patriarch. Kneeling before John and Ivan, they proffer the items, which Ivan takes.
"Chosen by God, confirmed by his church, you are John XV, Bishop of Constantinople and the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Holy Great Church of Christ, the Mother Church." As Ivan leans forward to place the crown on his head, he whispers in John's ear "We have not done you a favor this day. The work ahead is hard. May God be with you, Holy Father." With that, he hands John the scepter and turns around.
"Long live the Holy Father! Long live the Holy Father!"
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Patriarch Nikolas of Bulgaria beams as John accepts the symbols of his office. He has watched John mature as a priest and as a man for many years, and now views him with the pride of a father.
John XV, Ecumenical Patriarch of the Holy Orthodox Catholic Church, considers the Exarchs words for a moment. Then he turns to the synod.
"My brothers, as the Exarch said, you have not given me a boon or a gift this day, for it is the duty of the Patriarch to bear the heavy burden of the Church and man's troubles. I will try to take as much of that duty upon my shoulders as I can, so that you may be free to devote all your energies to tending your flocks.
"But before we look to the future, we must look to the present: the Basileos has died, the Church is riven in two, and Constantinople is in ruins. Of the first, I pray that a son of Ioannes is speedily crowned. Of the last, the secular rulers of the city, whomever they may be, will surely try and right the situation. However, let us now consider the sad state of our Church.
"The Patriarch of Constantinople is the direct heir of the Apostles, who rest here, and of the saintly emperors whom God directed to bring the Good Word to humanity. By their authority, and thus on the authority of God itself, is this Orthodox Church founded. Through the centuries, Ecumenical Councils such as this one have met at Nicaea, at Chalcedon, and at many other sites to make this as explicitly clear as possible. Yet the perfidious princess of Muscovy, come to power through murder, thought she knew better than the agents of God. God has smote her for her hubris, yet we are left to pick up the pieces. What say you, my brothers?"
John XV, Ecumenical Patriarch of the Holy Orthodox Catholic Church, considers the Exarchs words for a moment. Then he turns to the synod.
"My brothers, as the Exarch said, you have not given me a boon or a gift this day, for it is the duty of the Patriarch to bear the heavy burden of the Church and man's troubles. I will try to take as much of that duty upon my shoulders as I can, so that you may be free to devote all your energies to tending your flocks.
"But before we look to the future, we must look to the present: the Basileos has died, the Church is riven in two, and Constantinople is in ruins. Of the first, I pray that a son of Ioannes is speedily crowned. Of the last, the secular rulers of the city, whomever they may be, will surely try and right the situation. However, let us now consider the sad state of our Church.
"The Patriarch of Constantinople is the direct heir of the Apostles, who rest here, and of the saintly emperors whom God directed to bring the Good Word to humanity. By their authority, and thus on the authority of God itself, is this Orthodox Church founded. Through the centuries, Ecumenical Councils such as this one have met at Nicaea, at Chalcedon, and at many other sites to make this as explicitly clear as possible. Yet the perfidious princess of Muscovy, come to power through murder, thought she knew better than the agents of God. God has smote her for her hubris, yet we are left to pick up the pieces. What say you, my brothers?"
Piotr Lodonov, Bishop of Pskov, approaches the new Patriarch after grovelling fitfully at his feet.
Holy Father, know that we of Pskov as well as the noble faithful of Tver and Suzdal have these last two years fought a terrible conflict against Muscowy and Karelia, seeking to destroy them first in Rus' name, and then in God's.
It is clear to me now that the Prince of Karelia, though his wife has been struck down by God, will stop at nothing to gain power for himself, including, as we have seen, his betrayal of the True Faith. There may be no salvation for him or his realm unless he comes before us here, bends knee, and begs the forgiveness of Your Holiness. Thus, we cannot not lift the crusade that your divine predecessor has called, o Holy Father. There can be no mercy for apostates such as he, who would flaunt the laws of this Church if it ever would displease him.
Holy Father, know that we of Pskov as well as the noble faithful of Tver and Suzdal have these last two years fought a terrible conflict against Muscowy and Karelia, seeking to destroy them first in Rus' name, and then in God's.
It is clear to me now that the Prince of Karelia, though his wife has been struck down by God, will stop at nothing to gain power for himself, including, as we have seen, his betrayal of the True Faith. There may be no salvation for him or his realm unless he comes before us here, bends knee, and begs the forgiveness of Your Holiness. Thus, we cannot not lift the crusade that your divine predecessor has called, o Holy Father. There can be no mercy for apostates such as he, who would flaunt the laws of this Church if it ever would displease him.
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John nods slightly at Piotr's words, but restrains himself from speaking. "Is this entire synod in agreement?"
Ivan Dmitri bows before the new Patriarch.
"Holy Father, your wisdom indeed brings me much faith that God has made the right choice. All of the bishops of the lands of the Hordes stand behind you. The Karelians must be made to see the true light of God. It would pain me greatly if any more sould must join the Princess of Moscow in hell because of this heresy."
"Holy Father, your wisdom indeed brings me much faith that God has made the right choice. All of the bishops of the lands of the Hordes stand behind you. The Karelians must be made to see the true light of God. It would pain me greatly if any more sould must join the Princess of Moscow in hell because of this heresy."
Hieromonk Polycarp bows before the Patriarch, and begins to speak:
"My heart cries out for the poor people of Moskva and Karelia, who are being driven from the true church by the mad actions of their untimely deceased Kniagina Alexandra and her Germanic husband. Let the crusade remain in place, but let no anathema come upon them; they have suffered enough."
"My heart cries out for the poor people of Moskva and Karelia, who are being driven from the true church by the mad actions of their untimely deceased Kniagina Alexandra and her Germanic husband. Let the crusade remain in place, but let no anathema come upon them; they have suffered enough."
EVENT
With word reaching deep into the realms of the St. Marks alliance and the Islamic church of the unholy alliance with the Infidel there is a reaction
The Populous are shocked. "An alliance with the infidel?! Our god will strike our leaders dead! Heresy!" Open demonstrations are held and religious meetings abound.
(Straight roll for Venice and Mamalukes)(+1 modifier for other alliance members)
1. Rebelion. provinces revolt at home. No armies are built but provincial capital gaurds refuse to follow orders and City officials hold no sway over merchant, Nobles and churchmen alike. (% rounded up and - 2 Tech, -2 to morale for the duration of the Alliance )
2. City officials hold little sway and *Shite /Catholic Militants agitatate because of this unholy alliance. (- 2 Tech, -2 to morale for the duration of the Alliance )
3. *Shite/Catholic Militants agitatate because of this unholy alliance. merchant, Nobles and churchmen alike express displeasure
(- 2 Tech, -1 to morale for the duration of the Alliance )
4. *Shite /Catholic Militants agitatate because of this unholy alliance. (-1Tech, -1 to morale. for the duration of the Alliance )
5. *Shite /Catholic Militants agitatate because of this unholy alliance. (-1 morale for the duration of the Alliance )
6. No effect
(* as applicable)
Venice rolled a 4 . Catholic Militants agitatate because of this unholy alliance. (-1Tech, -1 to morale. for the duration of the Alliance )
Mamalukes rolled a 6 No effect
Genoa rolled a 4 (+1 Modifier) = 5 Catholic Militants agitatate because of this unholy alliance. (-1 morale for the duration of the Alliance )
Byzantine rolled a 2(+1 Modifier) =3Orthadox Militants agitatate because of this unholy alliance. merchant, Nobles and churchmen alike express displeasure
(- 2 Tech, -1 to morale for the duration of the Alliance )
Modena rolled a 1 (+1 Modifier) = 2 City officials hold little sway and Catholic Militants agitatate because of this unholy alliance. (- 2 Tech, -2 to morale for the duration of the Alliance )
With word reaching deep into the realms of the St. Marks alliance and the Islamic church of the unholy alliance with the Infidel there is a reaction
The Populous are shocked. "An alliance with the infidel?! Our god will strike our leaders dead! Heresy!" Open demonstrations are held and religious meetings abound.
(Straight roll for Venice and Mamalukes)(+1 modifier for other alliance members)
1. Rebelion. provinces revolt at home. No armies are built but provincial capital gaurds refuse to follow orders and City officials hold no sway over merchant, Nobles and churchmen alike. (% rounded up and - 2 Tech, -2 to morale for the duration of the Alliance )
2. City officials hold little sway and *Shite /Catholic Militants agitatate because of this unholy alliance. (- 2 Tech, -2 to morale for the duration of the Alliance )
3. *Shite/Catholic Militants agitatate because of this unholy alliance. merchant, Nobles and churchmen alike express displeasure
(- 2 Tech, -1 to morale for the duration of the Alliance )
4. *Shite /Catholic Militants agitatate because of this unholy alliance. (-1Tech, -1 to morale. for the duration of the Alliance )
5. *Shite /Catholic Militants agitatate because of this unholy alliance. (-1 morale for the duration of the Alliance )
6. No effect
(* as applicable)
Venice rolled a 4 . Catholic Militants agitatate because of this unholy alliance. (-1Tech, -1 to morale. for the duration of the Alliance )
Mamalukes rolled a 6 No effect
Genoa rolled a 4 (+1 Modifier) = 5 Catholic Militants agitatate because of this unholy alliance. (-1 morale for the duration of the Alliance )
Byzantine rolled a 2(+1 Modifier) =3Orthadox Militants agitatate because of this unholy alliance. merchant, Nobles and churchmen alike express displeasure
(- 2 Tech, -1 to morale for the duration of the Alliance )
Modena rolled a 1 (+1 Modifier) = 2 City officials hold little sway and Catholic Militants agitatate because of this unholy alliance. (- 2 Tech, -2 to morale for the duration of the Alliance )
John frowns. "As goes the monarch, so go the people. If the Prince of Muscovy warrants anathema, would you really have me withhold it for the sake of peasantry who has acquiesced in this heresy?!"
Exarch Ivan rumbles in his deep baritone.
"The Holy Father is correct! If keeping their souls at the gates of heaven is the only way to force the apostates to see the light, then we must employ such a method. To actually declare that one no longer follows the Church of Christ, and that one worships their Princess as divine is the worst kind of heresy. It harkens back to the antediluvian nonsense of the Pharoah, to say nothing of the men of Babylon the fallen. God will judge them, and if it is our place to hasten them to his side, then so be it!"
"The Holy Father is correct! If keeping their souls at the gates of heaven is the only way to force the apostates to see the light, then we must employ such a method. To actually declare that one no longer follows the Church of Christ, and that one worships their Princess as divine is the worst kind of heresy. It harkens back to the antediluvian nonsense of the Pharoah, to say nothing of the men of Babylon the fallen. God will judge them, and if it is our place to hasten them to his side, then so be it!"
Bishop Lodonov nods at the Exarch's words and speaks up for himself.
Indeed. This union of Muscowy and Karelia is damned to feel the raging hellfires of Satan's realm, this is not in dispute. However, with their leaders stricken with sickness by the Hand of God, they are as of yet harmless. However, the Suzdal Pact of Russian states is ever vigilant and prepared to crush this mongrel realm at the first sign of aggression.
I propose Your Holiness considers updating and revamping the position of exarch within this Church. You, O Father, must appoint your agents to see that this sort of schism is never allowed to happen again. I propose that Your Holiness appoints an Exarch of Rus, an Exarch of the Balkans, and an Exarch of Anatolia to carry out your will in your name. The lesson of our Holy Father Joseph's reign cannot be ignored.
Indeed. This union of Muscowy and Karelia is damned to feel the raging hellfires of Satan's realm, this is not in dispute. However, with their leaders stricken with sickness by the Hand of God, they are as of yet harmless. However, the Suzdal Pact of Russian states is ever vigilant and prepared to crush this mongrel realm at the first sign of aggression.
I propose Your Holiness considers updating and revamping the position of exarch within this Church. You, O Father, must appoint your agents to see that this sort of schism is never allowed to happen again. I propose that Your Holiness appoints an Exarch of Rus, an Exarch of the Balkans, and an Exarch of Anatolia to carry out your will in your name. The lesson of our Holy Father Joseph's reign cannot be ignored.
An envoy made it through the fighting and to the fortress of Corinth and bowed to the Despot "I have brought a gift from King Gjon as we are fighting a common enemy in the Duchy of Athens our victory should be mutual so I have brought several flags my personal favorite being this one
it will be flung on the highest tower on our day of victory my lord"
it will be flung on the highest tower on our day of victory my lord"
Boris, Metropolitan of Tirnovo in Bulgaria, arrives at Piraeus, having taken the long route around the Aegean. Even after the long land journey to Corinth, he still looks a bit shaken by the journey.
"Chains across the Hellespont ... seaborne Mongols everywhere ... " he tells every priest who comes to welcome him. "I was almost killed during a naval battle between Savoy and Athens, and then a Turkish galleon had to escort me to port, in case the Albanian navy attacked! Oh, Lord in heaven, what times, what times!!!"
"Welcome to Cor---" one of the welcoming delegation tries to say.
"Of course, my own humble hamlet of Tirnovo suffered greatly during the war of 1421, but the mountains are so beautiful there, the trees, the lakes, one can overlook it. Not," he sniffs, looking around at the deserted countryside, the people having fled the approaching Athenian army, "like this. Well, I'm sure young Constantine does his best."
"Welcome to Cor---" the bishop tries again.
"And isn't that all we can do, really?" He looks at the bishop, who nods tentative agreement.
"Welcome to Cor---"
"Truly, the Heavenly Father must have sent these trials for a reason, after all. Sometimes I wonder if ..."
And so it went, as he was led up towards the Akropolis, for the burial of two emperors and the crowning of a third.
"Chains across the Hellespont ... seaborne Mongols everywhere ... " he tells every priest who comes to welcome him. "I was almost killed during a naval battle between Savoy and Athens, and then a Turkish galleon had to escort me to port, in case the Albanian navy attacked! Oh, Lord in heaven, what times, what times!!!"
"Welcome to Cor---" one of the welcoming delegation tries to say.
"Of course, my own humble hamlet of Tirnovo suffered greatly during the war of 1421, but the mountains are so beautiful there, the trees, the lakes, one can overlook it. Not," he sniffs, looking around at the deserted countryside, the people having fled the approaching Athenian army, "like this. Well, I'm sure young Constantine does his best."
"Welcome to Cor---" the bishop tries again.
"And isn't that all we can do, really?" He looks at the bishop, who nods tentative agreement.
"Welcome to Cor---"
"Truly, the Heavenly Father must have sent these trials for a reason, after all. Sometimes I wonder if ..."
And so it went, as he was led up towards the Akropolis, for the burial of two emperors and the crowning of a third.
A letter arrives from Athens
You ask for a white peace, though I don't think that will be beneficial for my nation. I suggest peace on the terms of annexation of Byzantium by Athens, else we shall lay waste to Morea and claim your nation in battle.
Duke Alexios Constantinidis the Recovered
You ask for a white peace, though I don't think that will be beneficial for my nation. I suggest peace on the terms of annexation of Byzantium by Athens, else we shall lay waste to Morea and claim your nation in battle.
Duke Alexios Constantinidis the Recovered
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