Church of Jou

"If you can share a value, one value, you can connect with another person even if for a moment."

The Church of Jou, also known as the Vorsian Orthodoxy, originated on the moon Vorsia Companion, and is the prevalent religious organisation of One Nation Under Jou. It was spread across all of the nation’s planets to provide common ground for the new society. The primary purpose of the Church is to offer support and guidance to the people of One Nation. It is a deistic religion where Vigo Amaranalah Jou is worshiped as a divine figure but not with the belief that she would directly intervene in the lives of the Church followers or perform miracles. Prayers to Vigo Jou are mainly used for comfort and as an act of confirming one’s faith. The Church acknowledges the Force as the power that binds the galaxy together, and teaches that Vigo Jou’s divinity came from the Force.

The central narrative of the religion is the Jou’s Judgment; an event referencing Vigo Amaranalah Jou’s decision to spare Lilith Delcroix’s life when she willingly offered herself as an atonement for her sins against the Family. This is believed by the Church followers to be the catalyst which led to the formation of the Vorsian state, and in extension the One Nation. With this single decision Vigo Jou allowed Countess Lilith to influence the galaxy and create a better world for the Vorsian people. Without Jou’s mercy the Vorsia Companion would not have been uplifted from its deteriorating conditions. Countess Lilith established the Church to exalt Vigo Jou so that the Vigo’s decision was not forgotten and its importance could inspire others, believing it to be a fundamental part of Vorsian history.

The cornerstone of the Vorsian Orthodoxy is self-sacrifice, and the understanding of long lasting impact one’s actions might have. The believers are expected to have faith and follow Vigo Jou’s example towards creation of a better world, and as such the Church has more cultural than spiritual influence within One Nation. The teachings are meant to inspire shared values, to provide guidance to those that have nowhere else to go, to inspire charity and to offer common ground. Belief in a better world is an idea that many can believe in, to work together and find some connection to begin mend, heal or negotiate. The teachings also emphasise the value of honour and family, to put others above personal interests; with the ultimate goal of creating paradise worlds through common faith and social values. This behaviour is referenced by the believers as walking in Jou’s Grace.