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{{EcclesiarchyPortal}}
==Organisation==
[[Image:The Ecclesiarchy.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Agents of the Ecclesiarchy.]]
The Ecclesiarchy is not part of the [[Adeptus Terra]], but a wholly separate organisation. At its head is the [[Ecclesiarch]], who, by tradition, is always one of the [[High Lords of Terra]]. Below him are the [[Cardinal]]s, of whom there are several thousand. Below the Cardinals are the [[Ministorum Priest]]s: [[Deacon]]s, [[Preacher|Pontifices]], [[Confessor]]s, [[Missionary|Missionaries]] and [[Preacher]]s. Other specialist ranks and duties include [[Cenobite]]s, [[Relic-Keeper]]s, [[Drill Abbot]], [[Banisher]], and [[Chapel-Master]]s. A new senior rank, the [[Militant-Apostolic]], was recently created by [[Roboute Guilliman]].
The Ministorum's ruling body is the [[Holy Synod]], comprised of the organisation's Cardinals. The Ministorum in turn divides the Imperium into thousands of [[diocese]]s, each generally encompassing an entire Imperial world - an exception being Terra, which has several dioceses. A diocese is further divided into '''parishes''' centered around a '''shrine'''. Each diocese is headed by a Cardinal, while each parish is headed by a Preacher. Ranking between these individuals are Pontifices whose authority extends over several parishes and preachers within a single diocese.
The Ministorum also includes an administrative bureaucracy, the [[Creed Temporal]], headed by [[Deacon|Arch-Deacons]], who controls control all secular business. Arch-Deacons are the administrative counterparts to Cardinals, responsible for the temporal affairs of an entire diocese. Their servants deal with the money entering and leaving a specific diocese or parish, regulate the construction of new shrines and temples and deal with the other physical requirements of the organisation. The Ecclesiarchy directly rules several types of worlds of the [[Imperium]], most notably [[Shrine World]]s and [[Cardinal World]]s.{{Fn|}}
===Other Bodies===
[[Image:Adeptus Ministorum organization chart.jpeg|300px|thumb|right|Adeptus Ministorum Organization]]
====Adepta Sororitas====
{{Main|Adepta Sororitas}}
As the Ministorum's power has grown, a number of sub-organisations have developed within its compass. An interesting example of this is the Adepta Sororitas, a penitent order of women. The Sisterhood, as it is generally known, is expected to maintain a close watch on all servants and departments of the Imperium.{{Fn|2}} Its Militant Orders, the [[Sisters of Battle]], act as the military arm of the Ecclesiarchy.
====Missions====
*{{Main|Missionarius Galaxia}}
Missionary work is an important institution of the Ecclesiarchy; its purpose is to bring rediscovered [[human]] worlds into the fold of the Imperial cult. For this purpose, Missionaries always accompany Imperial exploratory vessels in case human worlds are rediscovered.{{Fn|1}}
Missionaries also run charitable Missions, which are schools or hospitals on newly discovered or primitive worlds. When human worlds are rediscovered Missions are usually immediately established. Part of the purpose of these Missions is to further the worship of the [[Emperor]] and Imperial ideals. They are also vital in evaluating populations for signs of [[psychic]] and genetic [[mutation]].{{Fn|3}}
====Schola Progenium====
{{main|Schola Progenium}}
'''Schola Progenia''' are the orphanages run by the Ministorum specifically to raise and train the sons and daughters of Imperial servants who have given their lives in service. The orphans receive a strict orthodox Imperial cult education, and soon come to regard the Emperor as their spiritual father. Their upbringings will have made them loyal and devoted adherents to the Imperial cause and instilled in them a selfless ambition to serve the Imperium and humanity. These qualities make them well suited to service in many of the organisations of the Imperium - the schools of the Schola Progenium providing a good portion of [[Imperial Guard]] and [[Imperial Navy|Navy]] officers, [[Commissar]]s, [[Assassin]]s, [[Adeptus Arbites|Arbitrator]]s and [[Inquisitor]]s. Female progena often enter the Adepta Sororitas. Other progena become members of the Ministorum clergy.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|3}}
===Armed Forces===
====Sisters of Battle====
{{Main|Orders Militant}}
The '''Sisters of Battle''' act as armed wing of the [[Adepta Sororitas]] and the current standing army of the Ecclesiarchy.
====Frateris Templar====
The unofficial armies of the Ministorum, the religiously-motivated '''Frateris''' fight wars of faith against the enemies of the Imperium.
====MissionsFleet====*The Adeptus Ministorum is known to operate its own naval vessels. These include [[Missionary Ship]]s.{{MainFn|Missionarius Galaxia7}}Missionary work is an important institution of the Ecclesiarchy; its purpose is Individual [[Cardinal]]s are also known to bring rediscovered operate [[humanCruiser]] worlds into the fold of the Imperial cult. For this purpose, Missionaries always accompany Imperial exploratory -class vessels in case human worlds are rediscovered.{{Fn|19}}
==History==
===The BeginningOrigins===During the [[Great Crusade]], many different cults appeared throughout the Imperium worshiping the Emperor as a god, each with their own subtle variations and differences. These forms of worship appeared first in those primitive planets that had strongly regressed during the [[Age of Strife]]. This culminated in the worship of the Emperor as a god by the [[Word Bearers]], resulting in the authoring of the [[Lectitio Divinitatus]] by [[Lorgar]]. Despite the Emperor's ban on worship, the cults continued on in secret by such figures as [[Euphrati Keeler]], [[Kyril Sindermann]], and the [[Lightbearers]]{{Fn|8}}. The numbers of these cults multiplied immensely with the Emperor's ultimate sacrifice to mankind and subsequent incarceration upon the [[Golden Throne]]. Most of these cults would gradually fade away, while others prospered, eventually absorbing the weaker ones. The more successful ones spread their forms of worship to other planets.
The strongest of all of them was the [[Temple of the Saviour Emperor]]. This cult had the advantages that it was based on Terra, and that its leader had been a successful and respected officer of the [[Imperial GuardArmy]] who had fought at the [[Battle of Terra]], defending the [[Imperial Palace]]. This leader had re-named himself as [[Fatidicus]] and had begun to preach his teachings to anyone who would listen. This faith spread among the members of the [[Imperial Guard]] and [[Imperial Navy|Navy]], but also to lowly scribes and minor adepts of the [[Adeptus Terra]]. The faith was spread by these individuals to other planets. When Fatidicus died at the age of 120, the Temple had more than a billion followers on Terra and untold numbers of the faithful throughout the [[Segmentum Solar]].
In the wake of the chaos and anarchy of the [[Horus Heresy]], the Temple of the Saviour Emperor provided a message of reunification through a common faith. Cults who rejected being absorbed, or who couldn't be absorbed, saw themselves being persecuted by fanatical mobs. Officially, the Temple rejected this violence performed in its name. This development culminated in [[M32]] as almost two-thirds of the Imperium followed the teachings of the Temple, the exceptions being the [[Space Marines]] and the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]], who had their own form of worship. The Temple's importance, influence, and power rapidly outmatched any other Imperial cult.
===The Confederation of Light===
The only threat to the Ecclesiarchy was the [[Confederation of Light]]. Based upon the planet [[Dimmamar]], this penitent faith's ideals of poverty and humble living clearly contradicted the teachings of the Ecclesiarchy, whose view was that sacrifices of wealth and money were for the citizens. The Confederation was too difficult to infiltrate, and the Ecclesiarchy turned to violence, supported with the unanimous vote of the Senate of the High Lords of Terra, declaring the first [[War of Faith]]. The entire Confederation was declared heretical and the forces of the Imperial Guard, the Imperial Navy, and thousands of fanatical zealots were unleashed upon it, bent on its destruction. Only a few cells and hidden shrines of the Confederation managed to survive and the power of the Ecclesiarchy was made complete.
===The War of the Beast===
During the [[War of the Beast]] in mid-[[M32]], the Ecclesiarchy was overseen by Ecclesiarch [[Mesring]], who went mad as the conflict ground on. After he pledged allegiance to [[The Beast]], the Ecclesiarch was executed by [[Lord Commander of the Imperium]] [[Koorland]]. Koorland went on to strip the Ecclesiarchy of its seat on the [[Senatorum Imperialis]] and revoked their [[Tithe]] privileges.{{Fn|5}} However Koorland ultimately met his end on [[Ullanor]], and following [[The Beheading]] his reforms were undone. The Ecclesiarchy regained its seat on the Senatorum Imperialis during the reign of [[Drakan Vangorich]].
At the end of the [[M33|33rd millennium]] every Imperial world was furnished with its own cathedral and the coffers of the Ecclesiarchy were filled with the offerings and tithes of billions of faithful. This wealth was squandered in building more and more larger and lavish temples and to fund more Wars of Faith to secure the Ecclesiarchy's power.
===Age of Apostasy===
{{main|Age of Apostasy}}
The '''Apostasy''' was one of the most destabilising events in Imperial history after the Heresy, beginning during the long struggle between the Ecclesiarchy and the Administratum for power over the Imperium. [[Goge Vandire]], the 361st [[Master of the Administratum]], was a power-hungry tyrant, eventually gaining direct control over the Ecclesiarchy by usurping the position of the Ecclesiarch. This made him the most powerful individual in the Imperium. His rule became known as '''The Reign of Blood''', consisting of massive purges of the Ecclesiarchy, and the killings and assassinations of countless perceived traitors and conspirators. This period was eventually ended by [[Sebastian Thor]]'s [[Confederation of Light]]. The Apostasy resulted in a reformation of the Ecclesiarchy, including the [[Decree Passive]] which banned the Ministorum from maintaining men under arms.Eventually, the Ecclesiarchy circumvented this by raising the [[Sisters of Battle]].{{Fn|10}}
===The Plague of Unbelief===
The '''Plague of Unbelief''' is considered part of the Age of Apostasy, although occurring several decades after Sebastian Thor's ascension to the position of Ecclesiarch. The main perpetrator of the Plague of Unbelief was [[Cardinal Bucharis]].
==Related articles=Dark Imperium===*{{Main|Age of the Dark Imperium}}The return of the [[Primarch]] [[Roboute Guilliman]] and his subsequent seizure of power in the Imperium proved a difficult issue for the Ecclesiarchy. The Ministorum frequently venerated [[Imperial Regent|Regent]] Guilliman as a god, a role he spurned. At the same time, Guilliman often displayed the belief that the Emperor was not divine, seemingly contradicting the entire Imperial Cult. However Guilliman recognized the need of the Ecclesiarchy to maintain the Imperium's authority and unity on its million worlds, and as a result created the rank of [[Militant-Apostolic]] to both better coordinate with the church and allay their fears that Guilliman may attempt to undermine their power.{{Fn|6}} However Guilliman is still cautious of the Ministorum's agenda, and carefully monitors their activities and plans.{{Fn|6a}} ==Notable Members of the Ecclesiarchy==*[[Fatidicus]] - Founder of the [[Temple of the Saviour Emperor]]*[[Sebastian Thor]] - [[Preacher]] who became one of the most influential [[Ecclesiarch]]s*[[Goge Vandire]] - The mad [[Ecclesiarch]] who oversaw the [[Age of Apostasy]]*[[Cardinal]] [[Bucharis]] - Instigator of the [[Plague of Unbelief]]*[[Confessor|Arch-Confessor]] [[Kyrinov]]*[[Confessor]] [[Dolan Chirosius]]*[[Cardinal]] [[Armandus Helfire]]*[[Missionary]] [[Uriah Jacobus]] ==See also==
*[[Imperial Cult]]
*[[Ecclesiarchy Quotes]], a list of quotes by various members of the Ecclesiarchy.
{{cite}}
==Sources==
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]], {{Cite This}}
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Codex Imperialis]], {{Cite This}}
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Dark Heresy Rulebook]], pg. 247
*{{Endn|5}}: [[The Last Son of Dorn (Novel)]] Chapters 2-3
*{{Endn|6}}: [[Dark Imperium: Plague War (Novel)]] - Chapters 1-3
**{{Endn|6a}}: Chapter 28
*{{Endn|7}}: [[Warhammer Quest: Blackstone Fortress]] pg.18
*{{Endn|8}}: [[The First Wall (Novel)]] Chapter 18
*{{Endn|9}}: [[Dark Heresy: Blood of Martyrs]] pg.32
*{{Endn|10}}: [[Codex: Adepta Sororitas (8th Edition)]] - Wars of Faith
{{ImperiumOrg}}
[[Category:Ecclesiarchy| ]]
