Editing Shu-Korath

{{culture

|related=[[Teod]] and [[Arelon]]

|world=Sel

|universe=[[Cosmere]]

|books=[[Elantris (book)|Elantris]]

}}

'''Shu-Korath''' is a sect of [[Shu-Keseg]] that is centered in the [[Sel|Selish]] nation of [[Teod]].{{book ref|Elantris|6}} While once more widespread, it is now officially practiced only by the people in the nations of Teod and [[Arelon]].{{book ref|Elantris|3}}{{book ref|Elantris|9}} Shu-Korath is regarded as a docile and unassuming{{book ref|Elantris|21}} faith, practiced in chapels designed to make its patrons feel comfortable.{{book ref|Elantris|17}}

==Beliefs==

The Korathi worship a merciful, loving god known as Domi, often referred to as “Merciful Domi.” The central tenet of the faith is the '''unifying power of love. '''{{book ref|Elantris|16}}

;Elantris

: While the Korathi denounce the magic of the [[Elantrian]]s as a sham,{{book ref|Elantris|41}} its priests teach that the Elantrians themselves, even after the [[Reod]], are children of Domi and as such should be treated with respect and love.{{book ref|Elantris|17}}

;Seons

: The official stance of Shu-Korath regarding [[seon]]s seems to be one of distaste, as they are associated with the magic of Elantris.{{book ref|Elantris|14}}{{book ref|Elantris|41}} This is evidenced by the church’s patriarch throwing [[Sarene]]’s seon [[Ashe]] out of a Korathi chapel in Teod.{{book ref|Elantris|17}} However, both [[Raoden]] and Sarene view seons as gifts from Domi, expressions of His love that are sent to provide protection, comfort, and friendship.{{book ref|Elantris|16}}{{book ref|Elantris|41}}

;Additional Teachings

* All people’s personalities are gifts to be enjoyed{{book ref|Elantris|2}}

* Unity can spring from strife{{book ref|Elantris|17}}

* Aid should be provided to those who are less fortunate{{book ref|Elantris|20}}

==Religious Texts & Iconography==

* Korathi scriptures are contained in the '''Do-Korath'''.{{book ref|Elantris|41}}

* The official symbol of the Korathi church is '''[[Aon]] Omi''', which means “love.”{{wob ref|7591}}

: ''Additional information regarding the history and use of Aon Omi in Shu-Korath can be found in the [[Shu-Keseg#Origins & History|Origins & History]] section of this page. ''

==Organization & Hierarchy==

The Korathi church is led by the '''patriarch''', a title that is currently held by [[Seinalan]].{{book ref|Elantris|35}} Chapels are led by priests, with “head priests” designated in each city.{{book ref|Elantris|21}} Additionally, an unspecified group of leaders is responsible for electing a new patriarch when necessary{{book ref|Elantris|38}} and presumably takes charge of interpreting and safeguarding church doctrine.

==Origins & History==

===Split from Shu-Keseg===

Shu-Korath developed when one of Keseg’s students, Korath, set out from [[JinDo]] to spread Shu-Keseg’s central tenet of unity of all mankind, teaching that it should be achieved through love.{{book ref|Elantris|14}} These teachings were later used as the basis for the new faction of Shu-Keseg, named Shu-Korath after its founder.{{wob ref|7591}}

===Establishment in Arelon and Teod===

Korath traveled to the nation of Arelon, whose people worshipped the Elantrians, living gods who resided within its borders. Secure in their own divinity,{{book ref|Elantris|10}} the pre-Reod Elantrians allowed other religions to preach within their nation, even within the city of [[Elantris (city)|Elantris]] itself. However, the religion didn’t gain a significant following in Arelon until after the Reod, when the Arelene rejected Elantrian divinity based on the Elantrians’ perceived “disease” or “curse.”{{book ref|Elantris|4}}

Following Korath’s death, his follower [[ShanVen]] moved the center of the religion’s operations to Teod, whose monarchy adopted Shu-Korath as the country’s official religion.{{wob ref|7591}}

===Elantrian Influence & Intersections===

Prior to the Reod, Elantrian culture influenced the symbology and practices of the religion that later became known as Shu-Korath.{{wob ref|2055}}

;Aon Omi

: Chief among these influences was Korath’s adoption of Aon Omi as a representation of the church and God, shocking his contemporaries who viewed Aons as symbols of heathens and pagans. Korath, however, chose a symbol of what many considered to be a competing religion in order to demonstrate God’s love and acceptance of all peoples.{{wob ref|7591}}

: Aon Omi later became the official symbol of the Korathi church and can be found carved on buildings, especially chapels. Pendants carved with Aon Omi are worn around the necks of Korathi priests and other devout followers of the church, and similar pendants are exchanged during Korathi wedding ceremonies.{{wob ref|7591}}{{book ref|Elantris|63}}

: Omi is also the root word in the name of the Korathi god, Domi, who was previously referred to using the JinDo name “Dashu.”{{wob ref|7591}}

;Korathi Chapel in Elantris

: In a show of mutual respect and as a sign of friendship to Teod, the Elantrians built a grand Korathi chapel, said to be the most beautiful of its kind, within the walls of Elantris.{{book ref|Elantris|10}} This chapel later became home to Raoden and the center of New Elantrian operations.{{book ref|Elantris|13}}

;Religious Practices

: Ceremonies such as the [[Widow%27s Trial]] were influenced by Elantrian culture. Members of Shu-Korath are expected to perform such ceremonies even though anything involving the city of Elantris is considered taboo in the time of the Reod.{{book ref|Elantris|17}}

: Following the Reod, Korathi priests prepared those taken by the [[Shaod]] for entry into Elantris. The priests bathed the new Elantrian in water from the Aredel River, clothed them in a white robe, and provided them with a food basket containing bread, vegetables, grain and wine.{{book ref|Elantris|30}}

===Conflict with Shu-Dereth===

Though Shu-Korath and Shu-Dereth have differing views on how to achieve their parent religion’s goal of unity{{book ref|Elantris|14}}, true conflict did not occur until Fjorden adopted Shu-Dereth as an excuse to conquer nearby nations under the guise of divine unification.{{book ref|Elantris|9}}{{book ref|Elantris|53}} This reduced the number of countries whose official religion is Shu-Korath, though citizens of those countries may continue to practice Shu-Korath despite its government’s declaration in favor of Shu-Dereth. {{book ref|Elantris|9}}

{{for|Shu-Dereth}}

==Notable Members==

* Countries

** [[Arelon]]

** [[Teod]]

* People

** [[Eventeo]] – King of Teod, who later converts to Shu-Dereth to save Sarene

** [[Iadon]] – Late King of Arelon

** [[Omin|Father Omin]] – head priest of Shu-Korath in Kae

** [[Raoden]] – Prince and later King of Arelon

** [[Sarene]] – Princess of Teod, later Queen of Arelon

** [[Seinalan]] – Patriarch of Shu-Korath

{{complete}}

{{Elantris}}

[[category: religion]]