Thalia
Thalia is one of the most respected gods, despite her somewhat narrow concerns. Her clergy are of moderate size but everpresent, with at least one priestess (male priests are rare) in even small villages. Her direct followers are few, composed mainly of household servants and cooks. Her most significant temples operate as schools for servants and cooks and graduates, both secular and ecclesiastic, are in demand across the world on the staff of nobles and wealthy merchants.
Though Thalia has a mostly subservient role in northern traditions, she is given high honors in the Aebasan Orthodoxy; the Celestial Council cannot meet unless she has built a fire at the center of their meeting chamber. In democratic regions of the south, it is commonplace to mirror this practice by requiring that a priestess of Thalia be present and having lit a similar fire whenever an elected body meets. In cities where Thalia is very prominent, the priestesses maintain a small fire that represents the soul of the city; legend states that should the fire go out, the city will fall soon thereafter.
Symbols
The primary holy symbol of Thalia is known as the Hearthfire, a stylized depiction of a hearth and flame.
Religious Practices
Calendar
Day of the Matron
Sheldsmet 7
Observed by: Common on Gallorea, where Thalia is highly revered, observation is relatively recent in the rest of the known world
One of the high holy days of Thalia, the Day of the Matron honors mothers and the concept of motherhood. Mothers are typically granted a day free from work where the holiday is observed. The day begins with a ceremonial foot washing conducted by the mother's husband (or sons, if there is no husband). Flowers are common gifts from children to their mothers on this day. Many regions, particularly on Aurea observe the day with some levity, where husbands compete in traditionally motherly tasks, such as washing clothes, sewing garments or spinning, with their wives judging the winners.
Day of the Patron
Beltain 7
Observed by: Common on Gallorea, where Thalia is highly revered, observation is relatively recent in the rest of the known world
One of the high holy days of Thalia, the Day of the Patron is a day set aside to honor fathers and fatherhood. Traditionally, it is a day where fathers are granted a day free of work, where their family attends to their needs, where practical. The day begins with a ceremonial footwashing, conducted by the man's wife (or, lacking such, one of his daughters). Children are expected to give a small gift that they crafted themselves to symbolize their thanks to their father. In the Old Empire, it was also considered a day for clients to recognize the beneficence of their patrons, even between client states and the Emperor himself. Though this tradition has waned since the fall of the Empire, the day has recently been celebrated in a more traditional manner.
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