Sound of the Stars - News from Nanxing

[Caelia]

Prime Ministers express sorrow over persecution in Kadikistan; Offer Sanctuary for Pelagasian Orthodox refugees
Minister of the Left Mu Huang & Minister of the Right Hsi Shun released a joint declaration denouncing the decision of the communists of Kadikistan to outlaw the Pelagasian Church, a move said to be in response to an escalating political dispute with the Pelagasian Emperor. "We have witnessed the believers of the Pelagasian Church are an upright people, true followers of the way of the Lord" the declaration read, in part; "we would speak words of condemnation but we know the barbarous rulers of Kadikistan have renounced their humanity. Instead, we can speak only of the sorrow which has gripped the hearts of the people of the south. Our righteous King is at this hour offering his most heartfelt prayers to the Almighty God that the faithful be preserved from harm and sped along in their flight to safety. On the authority of the King of the South, invested in him by the Lord of Heaven most high, let it be that no one in this Kingdom who declare themselves a member of the Pelagasian Church be returned to Kadikistan against their will, as this would be contrary to all moral principles. Furthermore, let all the faithful join the King by beseeching in their evening prayers the Lord of Heaven, that he may speed the destruction of the communists in Kadikistan, for their wickedness is plain to see."

Reportedly the Royal Legate to Pelagasia had reached out to the Pelagasian government to arrange for the smooth return of any refugees who may pass through Nanxing. Lower officials speaking in confidence said they expect few, if any, Pelagasian Orthodox believers to seek refuge in Nanxing but were unanimous in supporting the policy as the moral path. As one Prefect put it "I expect none to come this way, but if they did, as a human and a believer in Christ, how could I bear to turn them away? I would welcome them into my own home with open arms even if the Two Ministers had not directed it."

 

[Pelasgia]

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ORTHODOX CATHOLIC CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE OF PROPONTIS
Public Statement | July VIII, AM (V)MMDXXIX​

To whom it may concern,

The Ecumenical Throne thanks both the Government of Nanxing and the Autocephalous Church of @Remuria for their support of the Orthodox Faithful in these trying times of persecution, the likes of which have not been seen since the abominable day of the Leninovist Coup in Ivar. The Great Church of Christ in Propontis is ready to coordinate with both bodies to ensure the peaceful extraction of as many Orthodox refugees as possible from the territories occupied by the Ivar Regime.​

Signed and sealed,

Nektarios Christophilopoulos
Logothete of the Drome

 

[Caelia]

Minister of Rites: Obesity, Homosexuality, Adultery among governing officials still "serious problem"
Minister of Rites Ji Wei spoke candidly to reporters today about the challenges he will tackle in his first conference with the national and international press since his appointment. Minister Ji used the time to stress that his first priority would be to improve the moral character of the bureaucracy. The correct observation of rites, he stressed, is not merely the outward observation of protocols but the internalization of the spirit of the rites; the rites which pertain to private behaviour are the "most vital" in Minister Ji's words because "to obey them cultivates both self-knowledge and self-discipline, a man who wields authority over his own body is worthy of wielding authority over others, but a man who does not is not". He singled out "homosexual acts, obesity and disrespect for the vows of marriage" as the moral failings among bureaucrats which concerned him most, attributing them to "godless materialistic culture of the twenty-first century" which he lamented had been allowed to grow in Nanxing like "filthy weeds".

The appointment of the unconventional Minister Ji as he was called to serve not from the civil service but directly from his position as Abbot of the venerable Yindao monastery, making him one of only a handful of men to assume a national-level ministerial post without having sat the civil service examination. As Abbot Minister Ji is said to have been an un-comprising reformer, striking hard against what he denounced as "laxity and licentiousness" that had set in among the brothers. His efforts were considered a success though as observers widely agree the brothers of Yindao have become exemplars in their practice of poverty and in the perfection of their masses. Abbot Ji's counsel was widely sought by monasteries and convents across Nanxing before his appointment to office.

Also notable for a Royal Minister, Minister Ji has been granted a special dispensation to continue living as a Bachelor in accordance with his vows of poverty. He informed reporters that while he requires a more spacious personnel residence and some personnel staff to fulfill his responsibilities as Minister of Rites and to conform with the dignity of a Royal Minister, he intends to adhere to the spirit of his vows of poverty and will live as frugally as possible - his official salary will be donated to charity.

The Minister ended his conference by emphasizing: "The dominion of the dynasty of Xing has been conferred unto us by the Lord of Heaven because it is a just state. Justice can be preserved in a state only when it is administered by just men; for a man to be just he must possess virtue. Obedience to the Rites is the way to virtue in man and justice in the state. This is my pledge to His Majesty."

Headlines:
Prestigious Yinyu Gallery in Hungan announces a plan to hold an exhibition of Pelagasian religious art.
Early statistics confirm forecast Westernesse will once again be the top destination for tourists from Nanxing. Travellers tell pollsters the "natural beauty" of Beautancus and Sylvania are the areas biggest draw.
New animated movie "Spirit of Rust" based on popular science fiction novel series "Fading Light" has years best Saturday opening. Leading critic Zhu Jun recommends it for viewers of all ages praising "gorgeous" animation and "engrossing, melancholy" setting, but says "simplistic" plot "leans on voice actors delivery" to create emotional engagement and this contrasts with "thought-provoking" narrative.