Church
Churches, chapels and cathedrals are places of worship where the devoted followers of the Holy Light can practice their faith. In these places where citizens sought spiritual enlightenment,[2] the priests are dedicated to help and hear their confessions.[3][4] They also organize services such as marriages,[5] sermons and masses,[6] and ceremonies of introduction into paladinhood.[7][8][9]
The Cathedral of Light in Stormwind City is the most striking monument of the Church of the Holy Light and stands as a sacred place for all followers of the Light on Azeroth.[10] It is described as an elegant and peaceful place, inviting for prayer and reflection,[11] and as a sanctuary where one can meditate on the Light's mysteries.[12] Priests and paladins travel to the Cathedral of Light from far and wide seeking training and wisdom from their resident counterparts, training their skills and researching great truths behind the walls of the monument.[13]
Other races and organizations are also known to use churches as part of their culture and religions. The Cult of Forgotten Shadows is known to use abandoned churches across Lordaeron since the Third War. The Cathedral of Eternal Night was once a night elven place of worship to Elune on Thal'dranath.[14] The Cathedral of Darkness in Icecrown was used by the Cult of the Damned to worship the Lich King. The Firebeard Cemetery in the Twilight Highlands was a dwarven cathedral where the fallen heroes of the Firebeard clan were buried.[15]
Background
Warcraft I
- Main article: Church (WC1 Human)
Housed here were the holy men of Azeroth, as the church provided a place for them to commune with the people of the land. This was the only place where clerics would come together for their ceremonies, and many could be recruited here to assist in ridding the land of the hellspawned orcs. A tithe had to be made to the church for their services in order that new clerics could be trained, and other sites made sacred. A Church had to be built entirely of a rare wood known as Holyoak, hence a lumber mill had to be active to specially cut and prepare this sacred wood. Also, clerics continued training here to increase their understandings of the spiritual forces. When they were enlightened by a new revelation, the kernel of that knowledge was sown among all followers of the faith, and it blossomed into the minds of all clerics throughout the lands.[3]
Warcraft II
- Main article: Church (Warcraft II)
Churches were places of worship where the citizens of Lordaeron sought spiritual enlightenment. Once led by devout clerics, churches now depended on paladins to minister to the masses in this time of war. It was in these places for healing and serenity that the holy warriors gathered to deepen their faith. Through meditating, communing, and tithing at these sanctified sites, paladins discovered new ways to channel their healing and spiritual powers.[16]
The tradition continued after the end of the Second War. Archbishop Alonsus Faol decreed that the Knights of the Silver Hand should serve in the communities that had been devastated by war, helping their ailing populations. Uther the Lightbringer notably stayed at the Cathedral of Light of Stormwind City for several years.[17]
Warcraft III
The church's function was replaced by the Arcane Sanctums, which took over the training of priests. Paladins also became hero units and couldn't be trained as normal military units anymore. Churches and cathedrals could still be seen as background objects during several missions in Lordaeron such as in Vandermar Village or Theramore Isle.
World of Warcraft
Churches or chapels can be found all throughout Azeroth and beyond. While a few chapels have been abandoned or destroyed, some still remain intact. Most chapels are located in Lordaeron, with the most famous being Light's Hope Chapel, which houses the remains of the heroes of Lordaeron, so they could not be resurrected in the service of the Lich King.[18]
Abbeys are more uncommon, with the most famous being Northshire Abbey in Northshire Valley. The two others are the Tyr's Hand Abbey and the New Hearthglen abbey in the Scarlet Crusade territories.
Cathedrals are bigger religious buildings, serving as the central church for major cities. Most cathedrals are situated in human lands but that is not always true - the ancient night elven city that became Sargeron had a cathedral named after Elune, and Suramar City had the Cathedral of Eternal Night. Shattrath was described as a cathedral city,[19] and the city of Telmor also had a smaller cathedral.[20]
Known churches
Lordaeron
- Tirisfal Glades:
- Deathknell
- Scarlet Monastery - Crusader's Chapel, Scarlet Monastery Cathedral
- Capital City - House Menethil's private chapel[21]
- Hillsbrad Foothills:
- Tarren Mill (now destroyed)
- Southshore (absent in-game)[22]
Khaz Modan
- Twilight Highlands:
- Firebeard Cemetery (cathedral)[23]
Azeroth (continent)
Kalimdor
Outland
Northrend
- Dragonblight:
- New Hearthglen - unnamed church, unnamed abbey, unnamed cathedral
Broken Isles
Kul Tiras
Shadowlands
Notes
- The Cathedral of Light's bell rings to mark the hours, and in times of danger to alert the citizens of Stormwind City.[11]
- While Icecrown Citadel is the greatest fortress of the Scourge, Muradin Bronzebeard described it as "a cathedral of blades and claws made entirely of saronite".[26]
Gallery
Theramore Isle's cathedral in Warcraft III.
See also
References
- ^
[10-45] A Grisly Task
- ^ Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual, pg. 11
- ^ a b Warcraft: Orcs & Humans manual, Azeroth Army of the First War, Church
- ^ Bishop Arthur#Quotes
- ^
[50WQ] Wedding Crashers
- ^ Bishop (Rise of the Lich King)#Quotes
- ^ Of Blood and Honor, chapter 8
- ^ Ashes to Ashes
- ^ Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 166
- ^ World of Warcraft: Ultimate Visual Guide, Updated and Expanded, pg. 89
- ^ a b World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: The Eastern Kingdoms, pg. 17
- ^
[20] Secrets of the Light
- ^ Miss Danna#Quotes
- ^ Cathedral of Eternal Night's Adventure Guide
- ^ [30-35] Honorable Bearing
- ^ Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Alliance Buildings, Church
- ^ Beyond the Dark Portal, chapter 5
- ^ World of Warcraft: Ashbringer, Issue 4 - Dust to Dust
- ^ Official Site - Warlords of Draenor
- ^ [20-40] Restalaan, Captain of the Guard
- ^ Arthas: Rise of the Lich King, chapter 2, pg. 35 (paperback)
- ^ Tides of Darkness, first prologue
- ^ [30-35] Honorable Bearing
- ^ Exodar Peacekeeper#Quotes
- ^
[10-30] Furien's Footsteps
- ^ Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 142
