In the following time, Loran Hill and seven other exchange students were taken to a small church halfway up the mountain.
There is an elderly priest and two nuns here. It is not crowded and relatively quiet. It is located on the west side of the Holy Mountain of Karenriel, and pilgrims do not pass by here.
The seven of them will learn the basic knowledge about the Angel Church here, such as the church's origin, changes and other history, as well as how to preach and preach as a clergyman, what rules to follow, how to guide people to pray, cultivate their minds, and solve some simple life questions, etc.
It takes about 2 months to complete these studies, and then you will be transferred to other institutions and departments.
Under a big tree in front of the church, several students wearing black and white nun and monk robes sat on wooden benches and tree stumps, listening to the pastor share some knowledge.
"When the Angel Church first arose, there were different branches in various places. Although they all originated from the Angel Order, there were still many differences in everyone's concepts and ideas."
"After several debates, one of the factions gradually grew stronger. This is the Candlelight Church."
"After hundreds of years of spreading, the Candlelight Church gradually became the mainstream, and other small sects gradually disappeared."
"In the year 842 of the Third Era, a priest from a certain minor sect publicly published 'The Ten Sins of the Candlelight Church,' refuting and boycotting the Candlelight Church's many vile practices, including, but not limited to, blind worship, persecution of dissidents, embezzlement of donations, and disregard for human life."
"This incident caused widespread controversy on the continent, and many royal families and nobles no longer supported the Candlelight Church as much as before."
"After nearly a hundred years of internal debate, new doctrines and concepts gradually took shape. Finally, the 11th Pope proclaimed the 'Radiant Reformation,' abolishing many previous unreasonable regulations and revising the scriptures to make them more in line with human ethics and common sense. It also established a Department of Adjudication for self-examination, separated itself from the secular world, and ceased interfering in various countries and organizations."
“Although the church’s strength has been weakened since then, it has also been able to win back the hearts of the people, and this has continued to this day.”
......
Although it was his family's shameful history, the old pastor did not shy away from it and told it frankly to these students from Emenas.
There were many wise people in the church. If they continued to use the same rhetoric used against civilians against these knowledgeable Emenas students, it would only be an insult to them. Moreover, most of these students would become elites in various organizations in a few years, so there was no need to leave any bad feelings behind.
Therefore, those who have taught exchange students these basic knowledge have always been the open-minded factions within the church.
A student raised his hand and asked, “Pastor Vincent, I have a question.”
"Go ahead." The priest in the white robe with gold edges looked at the student and answered tolerantly.
He looked to be in his fifties, with a kind face.
"Did the Candlelight Book we read a few days ago change several times?"
"Yes, it has undergone four major revisions and more than a hundred minor revisions."
"Are the stories in it true?"
"I can only say that most of it is true. It's just like history. In fact, even those who experienced it would write different words and information from different perspectives."
"All we can do is to find the most reasonable parts that are in line with everyone's understanding and needs, compile them into scriptures, and popularize them to everyone."
"Then do you believe in the existence of God?" asked a male student next to him. He was a slightly strong man and his name was Heisen.
"I believe God exists," the pastor said.
"What about now?"
“That’s what I’m constantly chasing.”
"If God doesn't exist, why should we still believe in Him?" asked a tall and thin student named Crow, a student of the Undead Sequence.
“Humans have many imperfections, such as character, will, strength, lifespan, wisdom, etc., but we yearn to achieve that perfect and unified state, and the gods are the end point of our long journey.”
“His existence is our goal.”
"Can humans become gods?"
"I don't know, but we are getting closer and closer, and maybe one day we will reach this destination."
This seemingly ordinary, elderly pastor answered the students' questions with simple yet wise words, convincing them. Some of their previous dissatisfaction with life in the Sanctuary was resolved, and they looked forward to this exchange study trip even more.
Loran Hill also sat on a stump under the tree, recording these words with a pen on thick, yellowed paper.
Compared to her classmates, she understood the old man's extraordinary background better. The system showed that the old pastor was an Angel Sequence 8, Divine Grace Priest, and a retired diocesan archbishop.
Although he is unable to compete for the position of Pope due to his old age (probably over 120 years old) and lack of strength, his qualifications and seniority in the church can be said to be very high.
After the other students had finished asking, the girl in the black veil raised her wrist.
"Do you have any questions, Roxelle?"
Among these students, the one that Vincent cares about the most is the silver-haired girl named Roxelle. According to the care and instructions of some important figures in the church, if this girl can officially join the church, in a few years, she will be able to serve as the saint of the church and be in charge of a large parish.
"I'm very interested in angels. Do they have gender? Are they physical entities? Where do they come from?"
In contrast to his previous free-flowing speech, Vincent thought for a moment before answering slowly.
"Angels have no physical form and no gender. When they attach themselves to a living being, they appear in the form of that being."
"However, we are talking about high-ranking angels here. Some ordinary angels do have physical bodies, and they are more special."
"More detailed information about angels is recorded in the secret scripture room within the church. Due to certain regulations, I cannot fully disclose it to you for the time being."
"If you join the church in the future, as you grow older and gain more experience, you will gradually learn the secrets."
"Huh?..." After hearing this explanation, the students present were a little unhappy, but they could only understand it. After all, there was no obligation for them to open up to you completely.
"I see..." Loran Hill lowered his head and murmured softly, and the tip of the pen held in his fingers drew a small circle on the paper.
However, from another perspective, it can also be seen that this pastor is relatively honest. He did not deceive or mislead, but spoke directly. I cannot say these things casually.
While arousing everyone's curiosity, it also brought these students closer to the church step by step.
As expected of the former archbishop, he had such a bright and blatant conspiracy to recruit these geniuses from Emenas.
Knowing that he could not get any useful information from the pastor, Loran Hill had to think of another way.
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