Ice Vapor Goddess

Chapter 87 The Sacred Way Ritual

The angel walked slowly to the door, bent down, and gently placed Siron at the church entrance, then stepped back slightly.

The priest, altar priests, knights, and believers slowly stepped forward and followed him, while only Grimm, holding the chain of the incense burner, led the way for Siron.

The moment the bishop stepped into the church, the organ suddenly burst into majestic and sacred music! The cold wind, blown by the blower, blew into the thousands of pipes, and the enormous organ played a magnificent symphony as grand as heaven!
That was an organist found among the refugees of Newport; this huge and solemn instrument finally had its owner.

Beside the altar, the newly formed choir began to sing the entrance hymn haltingly—

Behold, the high priest has come!

He pleased the Lord throughout his life.

Therefore, the Lord established him by oath.

May he prosper and flourish among his people.

They didn't sing well, they couldn't even sing in unison. The boys and girls nervously clutched their newly put-on white clothes, but in this most solemn moment, no one raised any questions.

The children continued singing—

He adorned him with a garment of glory.

And at his feet was bestowed a glorious crown.

He chose the path of wisdom for him.
And will give him the spirit of understanding.

He exalted him and made him shine before all the nations.

He sanctifies him and makes him a blessing among the believers!

Under Green's humble guidance, Siron slowly walked through rows of seats and up to the highest altar.

Behind him, knights stood solemnly by the church wall, guarding the majesty of the holy site, while believers and acolytes followed behind him, gracing this sacred church.

—Behold, the high priest has come!
The children sang loudly.

He pleased the Lord throughout his life.

Therefore, the Lord established him by oath.

May he prosper and flourish among his people!
Amid the choir's chanting, Siron finally arrived before the altar.

Logically, at this moment he should have removed his crown, humbly kissed the altar, and expressed that he was merely the most ordinary and humble lamb before the Lord.

But he didn't do it.

He walked straight up to the altar, turned around, looked at the people in the hall covered with snow, and bowed slightly.

Then, he removed the bishop's cap, which symbolized majesty and power.

He said softly but solemnly, “Whenever I miss you, I thank my God: I pray for all of you in all my prayers.”

This unexpected turn of events left people somewhat bewildered, but more than anything, they were flattered and overwhelmed.

But Siron didn't say much. Instead, he walked to the bishop's throne and slowly sat down.

So the puzzled people sat down, and those who couldn't find a seat sat on the ground nearby—the cathedral was now heated, with several steam pipes running through the granite floor to keep it warm.

Then, Green held the Bible in his hands, stood beside the bishop, and began to recite the scriptures.

This is a "ritual of the Word," which is usually recited by a priest or deacon, and the bishop listens.

“Whenever I miss you, I thank my God: I pray for all of you in all my prayers,” Green said softly.

"Because you have been assisting in the work of spreading the gospel from the very first day until now, I am convinced that the One who began this good work in you will finish it, until the day of the Messiah."

"It is right that I remember you all so dearly, for you are always in my heart, and whether I am in chains or defending or confirming the gospel, you are always a part of the grace I receive."

"How I love you all with a messianic heart!"

"What I pray for is that your charity may increase day by day, and that you may be filled with true knowledge and all kinds of understanding."

Green's voice echoed under the empty dome. The sun had not yet risen, and the stained glass windows were as dark as night, but the warm lights inside the church were lit one by one, illuminating the warm interior as if it were Christmas Eve, or the warmest home.

After a sleepless and uneasy night, the refugees huddled close to those around them, deeply moved by Green's reading, and shed tears.

The evangelists bowed their heads in gratitude, as if they could see the bishop loving them.

This was the first and most symbolic Sunday Mass presided over by Bishop Siron Delrant, much like an official arriving in a new place to announce his governing policies.

But this bishop, who caused quite a stir upon his arrival, did not choose a scripture that would subdue people, nor a scripture that would highlight his majesty. Instead, he walked proudly to the altar, bowed his head to the people, and humbly listened to the most tender passage of the sacred text.

Siren nodded slightly to Green, indicating that he understood the teachings of the Holy Scripture.

Then he put the crown aside, stood up, and began to preach.

“Dear brothers and sisters, especially you, my dear farmers, workers, and friends who live on the third, fourth, and fifth floors underground: may peace be with you.”

A commotion arose among the crowd, and the Duke of Hastings, who had come in the dark to observe the Mass from the back row, shifted uncomfortably, for he lived on the sixth basement level.

"Today we gather in this sacred temple as the first gathering since the disaster began."

"First of all, I want to thank the brothers and sisters of Newport. With great courage and perseverance, you crossed the long snowfield to reach Speyside. You—and those who sacrificed themselves before you—are true warriors. May we meet again in heaven."

“You witnessed that magnificent fire, met me under the guidance of God, and then overcame many hardships, giving your love and strength to come here with me.”

“You are strong and brave, but some, after settling in, asked me with piety and unease: ‘Your Excellency, how are we going to get through this disaster? Where is the Lord?’”

"This reminds me of what is written in the Bible: 'No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God is in us.'"

"Therefore I see God among you—I see the strength of a mother, the labor of a worker, the faith of a sick person, and the sweat of a farmer."

“At dinner yesterday, I prayed at the table: ‘Thank you, Lord, for providing me with my daily food.’ But then I thought of your sweat and toil. Aren’t those breads and wines the fruits of your labor? And so I became even more certain of the answer.”

"Therefore I greet you and God."

“I thank you, because of you I stand here—without your labor, God would have no place to walk; without your faith, my preaching would be nothing but empty words.”

“If someone were to ask me, ‘Bishop, how can I please you, how can I show you respect?’ I would tell them, ‘Whatever you do for our poorest brothers is for me. Your joy for him is my joy; your respect for him is my respect.’”

“I pray for your joy, I pray for your love, I pray for your health, and I pray for your glory. Whoever glorifies you will also glorify me, and whoever glorifies me will also glorify you. If my robe is more honored than your faces, then what I wear is not a sacrificial garment, but a shroud of pride.”

The scriptures say: 'You are the body of the Messiah, and each of you is a member. If one member suffers, all the members suffer with him; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with him.'"

"So when you feel pain, do not endure it, for that pain is mine; when you feel sorrow, cry out loud, for I will hear your voice."

"When you are angry, shout your anger, for I have already raised my sword."

"Our knights are ready for battle, and our angels hold sharp swords."

(End of this chapter)