Bazian Orthodoxy

Not to be confused with Bazians, a Deolater identity label used in contrast to counter‑Bazian communities.

Bazian Orthodoxy is a major extramuros religion historically tied to the state of the Bazian Empire. Sources say it survived the Fall of Baz and, in the succeeding age, established a mathic system parallel to and independent of the tradition attributed to Saunt Cartas. It remains one of Arbre’s largest faiths.

Purpose and Structure

• Institution and ranks: The faith is encountered through cathedrals and basilicas led by clergy that include prelates and arch‑prelates. Monastic houses are attested; one mountain monastery reports a community of forty‑three monks under a resident priest who also oversees a lay retreat center.
• Parallel “mathic” strain: Later summaries describe Bazian Orthodoxy as having erected a system parallel to Cartasian practice—distinct from, yet reminiscent of, mathic Discipline.
• Scope: The tradition is widespread in the Sæculum and long‑lived, enduring beyond the fall of its imperial patronage.

Practices

• Prayer and meals: At shared tables the host priest reenacts sacrifice in effigy, praises God, and offers petitions before the meal. Visitors note that the language of the rite is close to the maths’ Old Orth, making basic conversation possible across traditions.
• Language and comprehension: Bazian Orthodox clerical Orth is reported to be roughly seventy percent the same as the avout’s Orth, enabling ready conversation and comprehension of liturgical text.
• Bells and chant: Monasteries use bells to call to early observances. Ancient prayers are sung in Old Orth; a dawn service at a mountain house is described as austere and slow‑moving.
• Cloister and hospitality: Monks maintain a separate cloister while a retreat center welcomes guests. Staff include women, and girls are routinely hosted at the camp. Lay adherents attend retreats, and families sometimes send children to the summer camp.

Notable Features

• Buildings and sound: Outside observers associate the faith with prominent cathedrals and basilicas and with the sound of bells that carry through towns.
• Terminology: Speakers use both “Bazian Orthodoxy” and “Bazian Orthodox.” Phrases like “Bazian monks” refer to members of its monastic houses.

Relationships and Associations

• With the maths: Contact is typically indirect and regulated. Avout meet adherents during open periods such as Apert and—on rare journeys—through hospitality at monasteries and retreat centers.
• Related currents: Other arks sometimes define themselves in contrast to this tradition (e.g., Counter-Bazian), though specific doctrines of those groups are not detailed here.

Recent Activity

• Hospitality to travelers: A mountain retreat affiliated with Bazian Orthodoxy hosted a party of avout and companions en route across arid country, providing lodging, a simple supper and breakfast, and sending them on with a few books. Monks dined with the guests while keeping the monastic cloister separate.
• Representation at a cornerstone-laying: During the founding observances for a new establishment dedicated to Saunt Orolo, two monks were present as guests, arriving with Ferman Beller.

Status/Access

• Active and visible extramuros. The church’s urban presence includes cathedrals and clergy; its rural presence includes monasteries with retreat facilities. Contact with avout occurs at regulated openings and, by exception, through hospitality when avout are traveling.