The Church
Spiritual life is ministered to by the national Church, which is founded on timeless ethical teachings, based on spiritual and physical truth.
The theology of the Church is rooted in the following convictions: 1.) That God exists; 2.) That He created the universe and its immutable physical laws; 3.) That we were created with a special purpose by Him; and 4.) That He has written certain teachings on our hearts, so that we might strive for noble lives, and safeguard our souls.
Membership in the Church is intertwined with Novaltic Citizenship; no one may be a member of the Church without Citizenship, and no one may be a Citizen without being a Church member. Church attendance, however, is not mandatory, and every Citizen enjoys full freedom of thought. Denizens and Resident Guests, on the other hand, may be of theoretically any religion, or no religion.
The sacraments of the Church honour God through formalised ritual celebrations. These are: 1.) Baptism, 2.) Confirmation, 3.) Penance, 4.) Eucharist, 5.) Unction, 6.) Matrimony, 7.) Holy Orders, and 8.) Charity.
The first Sacrament, Baptism, comes from the Greek baptismσs meaning '(the act of) a dipping or washing'. It refers to the ceremony of formal and permanent induction into Citizenship (whether by birth or immigration), and consists of immersion into water symbolising a rebirth. Since this is a uniquely Novaltic rite, baptisms into other faiths are not considered analagous, and so all new Citizens must be baptised.
The second Sacrament, Confirmation, is conducted as part of the Baptismal mass for new adult Citizens, and as a separate ceremony for young Novaltans, some years after their Baptism. It is a formal consecration as a legal adult in the Novaltic nation, and also signifies a mature spiritual state and commitment to an upright life.
The third Sacrament, Penance, contains the rites of confession, absolution, and reconciliation, so that one may be forgiven of sin and cleanse one's soul. Human beings are imperfect creatures with perfect standards to live up to, and so this sacrament serves as a Divinely-inspired bridge between the real and the ideal.
The fourth Sacrament, the Eucharist, comes from the Greek eucharistia meaning 'thanksgiving'. It forms the core mystery of the Mass and involves a miraculous feast of sacramental Bread and Wine in a Holy Communion of all Novaltans past, present, and future with each other and with God, to give thanks for these and other blessings.
The fifth Sacrament, Unction, is the rite of anointing the sick, suffering, or recently departed, to bestow them the prayers of the Church in corporate unison to petition for healing, blessings, and salvation from God. It is done according to ritual with holy oil.
The sixth Sacrament, Matrimony, is the union of a man and woman in the sight of God in a lifetime of sacred partnership for the creation of a family. In addition to the main rite of Matrimony itself, but still within the overall Sacrament of Matrimony, there is a further rite of Betrothal which is conducted in advance of the marriage between those so engaged. It forms a stepping-stone to marriage to aid in the transition, and to ensure the compatibility of the couple.
The seventh Sacrament, Holy Orders, refers to the rites of ordination for deacons and priests, and the consecrations of bishops and other higher clergy.
The eighth Sacrament, Charity, is the only one which does not require a specific ritual. It consists of helping fellow human beings with a spirit of love, compassion, and helpfulness, especially at some sacrifice of time, effort, or resources - for the greater glory of God.
Novaltic Scripture consists of two canons: The Great Testament, and the Common Testament. The Great Testament is a short revealed statement of fact and faith which has full authority. The Common Testament is a collection of inspired parables and poems from Classical antiquity which describe the Creation and light the way for wise behaviour.
I. In the beginning God, our Heavenly Father, created the Heavens, and the Earth, and all the binding Laws thereof, giving testimony unto Himself, saying, Let it be so.
II. He bequeathed to us, His children, essential Loves: for life, liberty, virtue, and happiness, that we shouldst liveth only in righteousness, saying, Honour thou these.
III. For the preservation of these Loves He hath given us the Commandments: Thou shalt not waste, abuse, defile, nor cheat.
IV. Knowing that we, being weak in flesh, doth sin, He hath given us sanctity and worship, that by our dignity and repentance we might be saved.
From the foundation of this Great Testament is built the whole liturgy. The analogues to the Catholic European tradition are apparent throughout: in lieu of the classic trinitarian formula, the Novaltic version is 'In the name of the Maker, the Loves, and all the faithful (In Nomine Auctor, et Amores, et omnis Fideles), which is made to the Sign of the Lyre.
The Mass itself is closely based on the Solemn High (Tridentine) Mass of Anglican and Roman tradition. The sacral elements of the Bread and Wine fulfill communion amongst Novaltans around the world between each other and with God. There are also simpler Masses for use on weekdays, as well as the Mass of the Hours, which can be said at any time, even by laypersons.
The chief prayer is the Auctor Noster, meaning 'Our Maker', and succinctly covers all of the essential points of faith:
Our Maker:
Which art in Heaven, hallowed by Thy Name; Thy perfect Kingdom come, Thy perfect will be done, here on Earth, as in Heaven. Sustaineth, O Lord, our life and Faith. And please forgive us our sins as we forgive those who trespass against us. Strengthen us against temptation, and save us from evil, for Thine is the goodness and the power and the glory, world without end.
Amen.
The calendar of Novaltia consists of twenty-four 'months' of fifteen days each, and beginning with a special five-day feast called Lunmas. The first day of Lunmas coincides with the Winter Solstice. Each month is divided into three, five-day 'weeks'. Domidi, the first day of these weeks, is the Lord's Day, and is the occasion of High Mass.
During Leap Years, which are every fourth year from (and including) Year III, an extra day is attached to the last day of the year. These years are marked with an asterick (*).
Novaltia was founded on the 27th of October, 2004. This year is called Anno Novaltis. Novaltic numbering of years begins with the first full year after the Founding.
The Novaltic clergy are ordered in the following hierarchy, from highest to lowest:
There are eight general offices of the clergy, as shown, and four Holy Orders of ordination among them, as represented by the intials in parentheses. They each mean, in turn:
In addition, there are particular offices of the clergy, which do not necessarily have a general rτle within the Church, such as Curate, but which are far from unimportant in supporting the Church's mission to help and sustain all Novaltans in Godly faith. All occupants of these particular offices, however, also have taken one of the Holy Orders.
There is also a fifth such Order implicit below the other four - that of Believer, or Member in the Church. All such Members are expected to engage in such personal ministries as God has called them forth to practise. The postnomials for a Believer who chose to use them would thus be M.R. (Membrum Resianicus) - Member of the Resianic Church.
The term Resianic refers to the wider true Faith, and not just the Novaltic Communion, and it derives from the Latin res, which refers to Reality, Truth, Reason, Actuality, Advantage, and Certainty - that is to say, the Beauty and Truth of God as revealed to us in our Souls, in Nature, and through Divine Revelation. Within this wider Faith, the Novaltic Church nourishes the Novaltic nation and people with the fruits of Holy wisdom, and lights the path towards righteousness.