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Homily: On Vices and Virtues
Posted by: Weylin vi Cron, The Zhellic Ecclesiarchy
Date: Year 18 Day 138 From the Temple Fane of the Lower Pantheon in Agia Apófasi on Tion (360, 280).

 

Office of the Grand Vicar

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From the Office of Grand Vicar Cronus IX

His Holiness, Cronus the Ninth of His Name, Vicarius Maximus of the High Synod of the Ecclesiarchy, wishes all devotees of Lor well wishes during His blessed month.  May the Lord of Shadow keep your secrets and protect what you cherish most.

As per the decree of His Holiness, his homily has been transcribed and is being broadcast to reach both Faithful and unfaithful alike.  

Thirteen blessings.


Today I speak on the Five Divine Virtues and the Five Cursed Vices, comparing and explaining them and their importance in our Faith.  This homily is longer than most I have and will issue, but it is a cornerstone of our doctrine.   
 
To live a life of virtues confesses one's commitment to the Gods for all to see.  On the death of the truly virtuous, we honor them for such devotion.  In the realm of we mere mortals, the righteous are forever remembered in song and story while those whose hearts have given into the dark vices are soon forgotten by the next generation.
 
I will first discuss Honor and Treachery, two of the ten that are observed by all walks of life.  The former should be well known to all who follow the Thirteen, no matter their origins.  Protect the weak and innocent, adhere to your oaths, remain loyal.  Even ordinary things that we take for granted such as fidelity in a relationship, loyalty between soldiers and their commander, and every oath we take.  Our word is all that we truly have as ours.  
 
Treachery is to violate your loyalties, betraying kin and family.  It consists of the worst betrayals one can imagine.  Theft is not treachery, provided you do not steal from kin or comrade.  Espionage and corporate looting are also not within this vice, provided your intent was always is in your heart and mind.  If not, every intelligence agent would be forever damned.  To commit treachery is to betray the Gods, yourself, and all you hold dear.  This is not an endorsement of any crimes, but neither is it ecclesiastic condemnation.  Motive and honesty of the heart are what matters.  When in doubt, confess to a priest of the Thirteen.
 
Next is the Virtue of Humility and the Vice of Vainglory.  Humility is a virtue that many Faithful aspire towards, for even the earliest saints were known to take the oath, "I shall be humble and courteous wherever I go, boasting not nor talking overmuch, neither be mute altogether."  That portion of the ancient oath summarizes the core of both humility and vainglory.
 
Vainglory is not pride.  You may be humble and still proud of your personal achievements, your faith, your family, and your nation.  Humility doesn't mean you never may speak of what you are proud.  If a person must always talk about how honorable he or she is, then that person is only trying to convince them self.    If you have to boast of your achievements, they are not as glorious as you imagine.  If these events are worthy of memory, others will speak of them.  The Gods know of your deeds, trust in Them.
 
Following Humility and Vainglory are Generosity and Avariciousness.  Generosity, in its form of charity, is a major component of the teachings of the Faith.  Give with largess, the Faith states.  Some of you do give generously to the Ecclesiarchy, for that we thank you for your piety.  Through that simple act, we can spread the Faith across the Galaxy and help the neediest of peoples where we can.  
 
Avariciousness isn't just seeking to gain a ship or amass wealth.  There is nothing wrong with a desire for 'things.'  That is a primal desire for most, a drive that encourages us to better ourselves and our associates.  No, it's unregulated, unmitigated greed.  There is no good behind this dark hunger that burns within you.  This can be avariciousness for wealth, food, lust.  As Ziysan commands, all things in moderation.
 
Piety and Heresy follow.  The Virtue of Piety can manifest in many ways, all of which intertwine.  Honoring the Gods in prayer is the most obvious option.  Keeping the Virtues is another.  Just being there to listen and offer your counsel to a friend in need is one most often overlooked.  It is your devotion to the Gods and your fellow Believers.  That is what it takes to be pious.
 
Heresy, however, is insidious.  It can begin as simply as devoting yourself more and more to a single God, descending into the sickening arrogance that is monotheism.  It can be falling to the Vices, turning your back on the Divine Virtues.  The more overt heretical act is accepting false or disproven doctrine.  One must always be on guard.  If you question something as heretical, approach a priest of the Ecclesiarchy.  We shall serve as agents of an inquest and seek to lead you or those you care about back on their proper course.
 
We finally reach the last of the Virtues and Vices:  Kindness and Cruelty.  The first should be obvious.  Donate your time, teach the youth, mentor them.  When mercy is due, grant it.  When someone is injured, give them aid.  If someone is starving, give them enough to get by.  If rendering judgment, make it swift.
 
Cruelty is ignoring the young, taking them for granted and refusing to pass on your experience.  It denies mercy to the repentant.  It is torture for the sake of torture; it is prolonged judgment just to make yourself feel better.
 
You may notice that some Vices overlap with others, the same being true with the Virtues.  Virtue begets  Virtue; Vice begets Vice.  To be kind and pious is to be honorable and generous.  To be cruel is to be avaricious and treacherous, leading to heresy.  
 
I will issue more homilies on individual Vices and Virtues later on, but for now, I want you to reflect on the Five Cursed Vices and the Five Divine Virtues.  How do they influence your life?  How can you be more virtuous and pleasing to the Gods?
 
Blessings be.

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