March 17, 1174, Muxi Cathedral back auditorium, 7:30 am.
After taking off his usual attire and putting on the knight's armor from the past, Huggins straightened his spine, walked to the door of the auditorium, and knocked gently on the door.
"Your Majesty, it's time."
With the creaking sound of the door hinge, two knights of the guard pushed open the door from the inside, and a group of monks in white robes filed out holding scriptures.
Todd, who was wearing a moon-white holy order robe, slowly walked out of the auditorium holding the scepter representing the identity of the patriarch.
Looking at the calm king, Huggins himself became a little nervous: "Your Majesty, everything is ready."
Todd nodded and walked towards the main hall of the cathedral under the escort of the guards.
From the beginning of construction to the completion of the first phase of the Muxi Cathedral, it took two and a half years.
Although only the main hall and two auxiliary towers have been completed here, people who have visited here unanimously believe that no other church in the entire continent can compare with it in terms of architectural style or interior decoration.
The marble floor as smooth as a mirror can reflect a person's face; the beautiful religious murals make people feel as if they are on the scene; the expensive and luxurious tables, chairs and utensils make people marvel at the wealth of Muxi City.
When King Mu Xicheng, who was full of Holy Orders, appeared on the side of the hall, thousands of people in the main hall of the cathedral stood up.
Among them were kings from far away, famous nobles, respected scholars and wealthy businessmen.
Everyone looked at the man who was guarded by knights. In addition to marveling at the young king of Muxi City, they were also speculating on what the so-called Protestantism would look like.
Speaking of the two major sects that survived the Taylor period, the Church of the Father and the Orthodox Church, the internal structures of both were modeled on the monarchy, with many levels set up, with the Pope at the top.
Such a setting is conducive to the development of religion, but it passively concentrates power on one person, which can easily breed corruption and abuse of power.
Therefore, regarding the Protestantism established by Muxi City, most of the people who came to watch the ceremony had doubts in their minds. Can the king of Muxi City, known as the Holy Son, really promote the smooth progress of the religious reform?
Todd stood on the pulpit, with a tall cross in front of him. He read the prayer loudly according to the pre-rehearsed process, and completed the prayer movements meticulously.
The entire ceremony lasted for an hour and a half. The Umbrella Cross, the symbol of the Protestant flag, was raised on the top of the cathedral. Cheers like a roaring tsunami came from outside the square. Only then did the audience at the scene realize in surprise that the ceremony
It's over.
After handing the scepter and holy medal to Friar Joe, Todd stood in front of the pulpit table and nodded towards the people in the church.
Realizing that he was about to deliver his throne speech, everyone present immediately cheered up and pricked up their ears.
"The Bible says that people are burdened with sins from the day they are born. As they continue to carry sins, their sins will continue to increase. Only piety and confession can obtain salvation."
Todd paused for a moment, raised a piece of paper on the table, and said to everyone: "Does anyone know what this is?"
Everyone looked at it carefully and saw that it was an indulgence note from the Church of Heavenly Father.
"A piece of paper made of straw ash and wood pulp, with two sacred verses written on it, and a seal stamped on it, can have the effect of washing away all sins. Comparing this, don't you feel that the power God has given to human beings
Original sin has become a complete joke?"
Todd put down the piece of paper and continued: "Whether it's tithes or church taxes, clergy use fragments of the Bible and quote them out of context to collect money from believers. Isn't this the biggest sin?"
Todd's words made everyone unconsciously nod in agreement. While they were overjoyed, they vaguely understood the new pope's profound meaning.
Todd's next speech was more straightforward, so straightforward that everyone was at a loss.
"The so-called church is not a superior existence. Even without the guidance of clergy, as long as believers have God in their hearts, they can still communicate with the Supreme with their pious hearts. In my opinion, what are the so-called popes, bishops, and priests?
?They are not God’s spokespersons, but should be the servers of believers.”
When Todd said this, everyone was shocked.
The duty of the church is not to represent God, but to serve believers. This theory may have been said by some, but it has never come from the mouths of clergy.
Today, someone said this, and this person is actually the Pope of the Protestant Church.
"The farmer's job is to farm, and the knight's duty is to defend honor. The same goes for the church's clergy. Our purpose is to allow more believers to get closer to God. This profession should not have any utilitarian color,
It should not be linked to money." Todd held up the Bible with one hand and the cross on his chest with the other, and said sonorously: "Faith in God should be the most beautiful and pure thing in the world, any secular thing.
Adulteration will only tarnish this sacredness."
Todd's words deeply moved everyone present. The monks in white robes made the sign of the cross and sang hymns in unison. The audience stood up and praised God's blessings.
Looking at the scene in front of him, Todd smiled, waiting for people's emotions to calm down, and said: "As the Pope of the Protestant Church, I hereby declare three major purposes for this sect."
"First, the Protestant Church will not threaten or induce believers to pay money or materials in any way."
Facing the excited gaze of everyone, Todd added: "Protestantism will abolish all religious profit-making tools such as indulgences, tithes, church taxes, etc., and will only accept donations from believers."
"Second, Protestantism will only recognize the Bible written in Hebrew. For new documents added later in the history of the Bible, the Protestant church will not recognize their religious legitimacy."
Todd paused and continued to explain: "The most important thing about this article is the justification by faith that we proposed before. We firmly believe that the church should be a place of service for believers and a gathering place for faith. Not that group of people.
It is a place of evil and evil that is aloof and uses believers to make money. The Protestant Church will do its best to provide believers with help in their faith, rather than using religious power to suppress and control believers."
Todd's words made the kings present open their eyes incredulously. Anyone who was not too stupid could hear the meaning behind these words - the Protestants would respect and recognize the royal power.
"Third, the Protestant Holy Orders will adopt a flat structure, and the power of affairs will be jointly managed by all believers."
This sentence left everyone present in confusion, and almost no one could understand what Todd meant by these words.
According to common sense, Todd began to explain: "The so-called flat structure is to reduce the number of church management as much as possible. Let me use an analogy. The Church of Heavenly Father, which regards Protestantism as its enemy, has the following holy order hierarchy - the Pope, the red coat
Bishops, archbishops, bishops, priests, etc... This kind of holy order management method will not only give rise to the struggle for power, but also nourish the emergence of corruption. Therefore, there will only be two classes in the management of affairs in Protestantism-priests and
believer."
"As long as you join the Protestant church, you are a believer. Believers in a region gather together to conduct elections and elect pastors who can represent this region. Pastors from each region regularly come to the Protestant headquarters in Muxi City to adopt democratic resolutions.
To handle and determine relevant matters in the church.”
Someone heard this and suddenly realized that there were some contradictions in Todd's speech.
A king sitting in the front row suddenly asked: "Your Holiness, you just mentioned that there are only two classes in Protestantism, pastors and believers, but how is your identity handled in the church?"
Todd smiled and said: "As the Pope of the Protestant Church, I will only be the spiritual symbol of the sect. I will not interfere in any affairs, nor participate in any voting or decision-making..."
When Friar Joe heard this, he stepped forward in a panic and whispered to Todd: "Sir Pope, I have never heard you say this..."
Todd first glanced at Joe who was in a hurry, and then said to everyone: "Look at what Heavenly Father's Church has done over the years. I don't think there are no believers who are wholeheartedly doing good among them, but just because of the church
The absolute power of the sect has led to absolute corruption. In the church, any power must be restricted and supervised. The management of one person will sooner or later lead to the destruction of the sect."
Everyone present heard these remarks and stood up and cheered.
Todd continued: "The sect's parliament, composed of pastors, will have the power to manage church affairs, issue decrees, make decisions on rewards and punishments, and organize believers; and the pope, as the spiritual symbol of the sect, is mainly responsible for external diplomacy and
An internal ritual.”
After saying these words, Todd made the sign of the cross and said loudly: "By the sign of the Cross, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Protestantism is supreme, Amen."