Ishgardian Orthodox Church

Following the death of King Thordan and his son Haldrath abandoning the throne to become the first Azure Dragoon, the people of Ishgard needed leadership. Thus did the surviving Knights Twelve come together to form the High Houses, which would later form the Ishgardian Orthodox Church. To suppress the knowledge of their part in the shattering of the peace between Dragons and Elezen, they came up with an "officially sanctioned" series of events that would paint the people of Ishgard as the victims who valiantly fought back against Nidhogg and his brood. To facilitate bringing this knowledge to the people, the story of King Thordan was woven into the teachings of the Church alongside their worship of Halone.

Following the revelations of the truth to the beginning of the Dragonsong War, the Church came under intense scrutiny, with many of the people feeling betrayed. While many maintain their devotion to Halone, it is up for debate what place the Church will have in Ishgardian Society.

Structure

The Archbishop

The Church is led by the Archbishop, who also serves as the Ishgardian head of state. When the archbishop passes away, the title is not handed down to his next of kin, but rather the high-ranking members of the clergy, as well as representatives of the four High Houses meet and select the successor. The archbishop presides in The Vault, where he determines major public policy, which is carried out by officials such as the Temple Knights. The archbishop is advised by the Synod, seven high-ranking bishops of Saint Reymanaud's Cathedral, and is guarded by The Heavens' Ward.

The Holy See

Directly below the archbishop is The Holy See, which views itself as a "maternal and paternal" figure to the people. In its maternal role, it guides the people by teaching the lessons of Halone through the church. In a paternal role, it dictates policy to the people in order to protect them from the Dragons and "preserves the state's sovereignty".
To help spread the teachings of the Church and enforce public policy, the Holy See commands several contingencies, such as the Congregation of Our Knights Most Heavenly, and various other dicasteries.

The Temple Knights

Main article: Temple Knights

The Knights Dragoon

The formal order from which the Dragoon class originates. It's leader is referred to as the Azure Dragoon.

The Tribunal

The judicial arm of the Holy See.

Main article: The Supreme Sacred Tribunal of Halonic Inquisitory Doctrine

History

Important Historical and Mythological Figures

Halone

Main article: Halone

Patron goddess of the religion, also known as The Fury. No Orthodox church is said to be complete without a towering statue of Halone, girt for battle.

King Thordan I (Saint Thordan)

The 'founding father' of the church, for whom Saint Thordan's Basilica is named.

Haldrath

Son of Thordan I, and the first Azure Dragoon. Camp Dragonhead is built atop a hillside called "Haldrath's March" in his honor. In Riversmeet, there is also a monumental stone sculpture carved in his likeness by the afamed stonemason Percelle.

Saint Reinette

A former Azure Dragoon said to have wielded the weapon Gae Bolg, striking down a dragon who slew her beloved. Upon exacting her revenge, it is said that she cast her weapon aside on the site the dragon was felled, taking up the cloth in its place and devoting the remainder of her years to uplifting the poor and downtrodden. She was made a Halonic saint in 1289 of the Sixth Astral Era, over a century after her death.