Frostpunk Divine Throne-Chapter 30: Gospel Road (One)

"On the other hand is insufficient personnel. The disaster of the Northern Holy Seat train made us lose forty-eight outstanding knights, three respected priests, and many clergy members."
Speaking to this point, Cyren lowered his head and made the sign of the cross on his chest, softly reciting "Amen." Everyone also followed him in lowering their heads to pray.
After mourning was complete, Cyren continued, "For an organization to grow, fundamentally it still needs people. Without people, no amount of wealth and power can be managed. If people remain, then anywhere can be rebuilt."
"That you're all here listening to my rambling also means you're all core members of the Church now. According to convention, I will bestow holy orders upon you." Cyren smiled.
Among those present, aside from Matilda who was equal in rank to Cyren, each had various thoughts. Sam looked at others in confusion. Aldridge appeared somewhat indifferent. Kyle and Fafnir were somewhat excited, while Logan still had a deadpan face.
"Kyle, Logan." Cyren said.
"Here!" Kyle shouted excitedly.
He had already emerged from the grief of losing his brother, though it was said he recently often argued intensely or chatted with someone invisible beside him, tightly gripping the cross Cyren gave him.
"You two were originally my guards and people who trekked the snowy plains with me. I now bestow upon you the holy order of sixth-rank deacon. You may wear white robes. Additionally, Kyle concurrently leads the personal guard squad. Logan concurrently leads the Holy Radiance Knights."
"Are you willing to be called to receive this holy order?"
The two immediately knelt before Cyren, "I am willing."
"Are you willing to faithfully fulfill the duties of this holy order with a pure conscience, to build this Church with God's holy word and sacraments?"
"I am willing."
"Are you willing to devote yourself to prayer and scripture reading, exert yourself in battle and protection, striving to undertake and practice God's word?"
"I am willing."
Cyren closed his eyes, placing both hands on their shoulders.
"Since this is so, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I, Bishop of Spessay Diocese, Saint Lucia's Winter Cathedral, Cyren Delante, under witness of the sages and Heavenly Father, bestow upon you holy orders."
Light shone on them. Cyren slightly closed his eyes.
The Church's martial positions were relatively chaotic, without clear rank divisions. Generally there was only the actual power of "leading such-and-such number of troops," without the status of holy orders. Only the outstanding among them would concurrently receive a formal holy order.
Like Kyle and Logan, who were members of some bishop's guard squad, could only be considered bottom-level soldiers. Now becoming sixth-rank deacons, one concurrently leading the bishop's personal guard, one concurrently leading the Church's armed forces, belonged to ascending to heaven in one step.
The Church currently used the [Seven-Rank Holy Orders System], including first-rank Pope, second-rank Cardinal Bishop, third-rank Archbishop, fourth-rank Bishop, fifth-rank Priest (commonly called priest or father), sixth-rank Deacon, seventh-rank Acolyte. This was somewhat different from what Cyren remembered from before crossing over, more like a variant of early medieval authority.
Seventh-rank Acolyte included many minor positions, such as doorkeeper, exorcist, plague expeller, lector, sacristan, etc., collectively called [Lower Holy Orders]. In many small churches, volunteering for a period would result in being bestowed with one.
The personal guard squad, as the name suggested, could generally only be established by clergy of bishop rank and above, used to protect their own safety.
The Holy Radiance Knights were generally an archbishop's armed force. Strictly speaking, Cyren had no authority to establish them, but since it was the apocalypse anyway, no one would manage whether he followed the rules.
"I can't custom-make uniforms for you, but there are some deacon uniforms in the Holy Treasury. I'll prepare them for you shortly." Cyren said.
The two happily withdrew. Then Cyren's gaze turned to Sam.
"Sam." He said.
The carpenter with only one leg remaining sat in a chair, saying with a bitter face, "Lord Bishop, forget about me. Although I also want a holy order, saying it out loud would be impressive but look at me. Illiterate, grew up in fields since childhood, old now, and lost a leg. Really embarrassed to hold a holy order."
"I didn't plan to have you hold a holy order." Cyren smiled.
"Then..." Sam's face showed ashamed and disappointed expressions.
Although this honest man refused verbally, in his heart he still anticipated a holy order bestowed by the Bishop.
"I plan to establish a [Gospel Society], belonging to a civilian group. Initial personnel will only be you and four other women cleaning the church."
"Ah? I..."
"Your task is very simple. If someone's home has a problem, like broken furniture, you go help them repair it. Don't take payment. Then give them a copy of the [Scripture]. Then on holidays or when free, organize scripture reading activities within the community."
"Oh?" Matilda's eyes suddenly brightened. She leaned over, "This is very interesting!"
Cyren was somewhat surprised and asked, "You're interested in this?"
"Yes." Matilda nodded repeatedly, "I've always felt communities nurture very strong power. I once saw in worker communities them unite and help each other, provide help for free, even help raise children and organize education. They often organize football, cooperate very tacitly, fight on the field like soldiers. But high and mighty big shots never see these things, and cannot deeply enter among them."
Cyren looked at this girl in shock, momentarily thinking she had crossed over.
But thinking about it, he felt relieved. After all, in another world, great figures also discovered this power around the same era and provided a program for it.
Moreover, she almost completely spoke through his future plans, Heavenly Father above, he originally only wanted to organize reading groups, didn't plan to mention militarized organizations!
"Ahem, very good idea, but we must proceed step by step." Cyren said, looking at Matilda expectantly, "Will you come help?"
An abbess was theoretically equal in rank to a bishop. Although actual power differed greatly, she wasn't governed by the Church. Running around with Cyren was completely giving him face. Perhaps because they trekked the snowy plains together, Cyren thought thus.
"Sure!" Matilda nodded repeatedly, "What do you need me to do?"
She was really too forthright, making even Cyren feel somewhat embarrassed. He asked, "Then what about your convent?"
Matilda shook her head, "Spessay wasn't built completely. The convent only had a foundation laid, wasn't built at all. Moreover, the entire convent has only me."
Cyren hurriedly expressed comfort, but Matilda seemed to completely not care, "Doesn't matter. Building it now is too troublesome, and requires workers to work on the ground in heavy snow. Just treat me as an idle person."
"In that case... how about you manage the Gospel Society? They really lack someone with sufficient status and literacy ability." Cyren scratched his head and said, "I'll give you the operating funds. You're responsible for using them. Then teach them to read and study Scripture. If members encounter trouble, go solve it. If you can't solve it, come find me. How about it?"