An Ordained Hierarchy

It is known to you that an ordained hierarchy exists. As man is above beasts, so are the Damned above men. Our numbers are fewer so that our purpose is better effected. - Rule 4

The title of this week's homily comes from the opening line of The Rule of Golgotha 4. The Rule of Golgotha is the third book of the Testament of Longinus. It is here in the text that we transition from the story of the early life and requiem of Longinus to his teachings on how we ought to order our own requiem. Rule 4 concerns the ordering of all things in this world, from beast to man to kindred, as well as within kindred society, as well as the hierarchy of Sanctified.

We recognize also a hierarchy of the Damned. From the lowest of those who cannot see the truth of our Sanctification or the barest neonate, his sire's Vitae still fresh upon his lips, to the most perfect predator and the greatest student of the Dark Prophet, we too have a hierarchy that is part of God's plan. - Rule 4

Our nature, as predators, demands hierarchy. The beasts within us, while they must not rule us, may not be denied either. It is not without reason that when meeting another kindred for the first time, we sense their strength and must master our instinct to fight or flee. Kindred society is built upon an understanding of these facts of our nature, an attempt to impose reason, civilization upon that which would otherwise be simply instinct and chaos. In this there is great wisdom.

Yet how shall we select our leaders, how shall we know them, and what shall we demand of them?

Those who shall serve you as abbot shall be held to the highest standard, for they must show the faithful the proper conduct. Each abbot is merely a servant; he serves the community, the mission of the Dark Prophet, and the purpose of God. Let no Kindred be crowned as a king of the faithful; such things are better left to the patriarchs and emperors of the secular concern. each abbot, like each brother, serves God’s purpose in his own way, and shall be garnered respect as first among equals, as he has earned through the perfection of his predation. There is none more worthy above you, excepting God. - Rule 4

Rule 4 answers this question for the Lancea Sanctum. Those who lead must be held to the highest standard. They must be exemplary, embodying the values of the community and replete in purpose. They must be servants of a higher calling, rather than absolute rulers. Indeed, in comparison to their community they "shall be raised above them only in duty."

While Rule 4 does not give answers to the ordering of the rest of kindred society, there are lessons herein from which many can draw value.

Thus do we acknowledge the first among us, and trust in our brethren in diverse communities to choose leaders wise and worshipful. Let us also aspire to that more perfect predation, and let those who have been chosen to be first among equals be magnanimous in their strictures, be forgiving in their dealings with other Damned, and let them be wise in their law-giving. - Rule 4

Sum Sanctus,

Simon Patterson

Augustus Inquisitor de Lacus Magni

The Holy Spear

This week's reading comes from the Malediction of Longinus. This reading concerns the history of the Holy Spear which slew Christ, that which gives our covenant its name: Lancea Sanctum, the Sanctuary of the Lance.

1 The Spearhead was the weapon that God had destined to strike Christ in the side. It had been made long ago in the days before the Deluge by Tubal-Cain the Smith, the son of Zillah, the second wife of Lamech, the son of Enoch. 2 Tubal-Cain’s son had struck his grandfather Lamech’s face, and Lamech had slain him. Tubal-Cain sought revenge, and prayed to God that his son be avenged. 3 On the night that Tubal-Cain prayed, a stone fell from the sky, and it was hard, and it was black, and Tubal-Cain saw that God had answered his prayer, and from the metal in the stone he fashioned a Spearhead, that he might kill Lamech.

4 But Tubal-Cain failed, for Lamech was a mighty warrior, and Lamech laid his foot on Tubal-Cain’s neck and seized the Spear, and impaled Tubal-Cain through the heart, and Tubal-Cain died. 5 And Lamech took the Spear for his own, and it became a sign for all who would see that Lamech was a mighty warrior before the LORD, and he slew all of his enemies and was made king, 6 and went forth on a war of conquest, and was victorious against every man he faced, until the LORD saw fit to strike down humanity in the flood, and Lamech was drowned, and the Spear was lost.

7 But the Spear was not marred by time, and its head did not rust or decay, and it remained as sharp and as hard as the day it was forged, when a ship captain from Tyre found it lying on a beach in the sand, and traded it to the merchant Phaecus, who gave it to Pontius Pilate that he might not be imprisoned or killed, 8 who gave it to Longinus, that he might strike Christ in the side and incur the curse of God, and become a sign to the Damned of God’s perfect will for them. - Mal. 9:1-8

There is a great deal to consider in these lines. A straightforward reading is that the Holy Spear was destined by God for great things, each of which it fulfilled in turn. Yet there is much more to look at here.

Tubal-Cain sought personal vengeance when he prayed to God. Given to him was a powerful gift. He forged that gift into a weapon. Yet even armed with this weapon, he was struck down. One could read this as a warning that even the righteous can fall, yet I have always read it as a failure in Tubal-Cain's heart. Here he sought to use a gift from God for personal vengeance rather than in service to God. Lamech, on the other hand was a warrior "before the LORD" and was only afterwards rewarded with kingship. Service to others brings the rewards of this world, while personal service using that which God has graced us with brings all low.

The Holy Spear has not yet had its final story told. The Lancea Sanctum keeps it to this night and when the time is right it will come forth again. On that night, like Lamech, we shall stride forth and slay all of our enemies. We must always make certain that what we do is in service to God's plan though, lest we share the fate of Tubal-Cain.

Sum Sanctus,

Simon Patterson

Augustus Inquisitor de Lacus Magni

The Feast of Saint Domitius

On June 1st of each year, the Church of Longinus celebrates the Feast of Saint Domitius.

Many kindred are familiar with the story of Palladius of Ireland. In the waning nights of the Roman Empire, Palladius, a member of the Invictus, set out to Ireland, a place that even Rome had never conquered or civilized. Over the course of a century, with the help of the Lancea Sanctum, the native kindred, who took the form of snakes during the day and worked other strange magics, were defeated to the last. Palladius become Duke of Ireland and ruled as Prince over the entirety of the island.

Less well known is Domitius, a member of the Lancea Sanctum who heeded Palladius' call for allies in the taming of Ireland. Domitius worked tirelessly to bring the Testament to the native kindred of Ireland, to offer a purpose and place in God's Plan for those who would accept it and to destroy those who would not. Domitius converted several of the native kindred, including the prized childe of one of their mightiest warriors. This convert took the name Proserpina and went on to become a great Paladin for the Church. In response to this conversion, a price was put upon the head of Domitius. While several attacks were defeated and the would-be killers destroyed, one eventually succeeded. Domitius was slain for his service to God. Domitius' killer was in turn destroyed by Proserpina, who also went on to destroy her Sire.

On the Feast of Saint Domitius we recall that though any one of us might fall, the Church will carry on. The good works that we do each night prepares others to carry on in the same ways in the nights ahead. The Church of Longinus is not a disconnected group of kindred, but a body, whole and strong; it is a process whereby those whom we tutor and mentor will carry on for us when we are unable, for whatever reason. The Feast of Saint Domitius is also a reminder of the importance of bringing the Testament to those who have not heard or accepted it. We pray that even as Ireland was conquered and civilized, so too will all other places which refute and reject the proper place of kindred in God's Plan.

Sum Sanctus,

Simon Patterson

Inquisitor Generalis de Lacus Magni