Sanctuary of Isachul

  

Bolaris Temple, the seat of the Sanctuary and residence of the High Priest
Classification	Canaanism
Orientation	Sanctionism
Polity	Episcopal
Governance	Grand Synod
Moderator	High Priest
Leader	Tyler Rutherford
Region	Worldwide
Headquarters	Bolaris, Apache, Sierra
Founder	John Casingden
Origin	October 31, 1822 Grand Junction, Colorado, Brazoria
Separations	Refuge of Baahgul
Members	11.7 million adherents
Primary schools	11
Secondary schools	3
Tax status	Exempt
Other name(s)	Sanctuary, SOI

The Sanctuary of Isachul, also known simply as the Sanctuary and abbreviated as the SOI, is the largest Canaanite church, and is based in Bolaris, Apache, Sierra. The Sanctuary is the direct successor to the original Sanctuary created by John Casingden, the founder of the Canaanite religion, and is headed by the High Priest, alongside the Grand Synod.

The modern Sanctuary places heavy emphasis on the worship of Isachul aspect of God, and explicitly teach that the Baahgul aspect is inherently evil and dangerous. The early Sanctuary under the leadership of Casingden taught a dualistic view on God, suggesting both aspects were good in their own right, and the nature of Baahgul is chaotic, but not necessarily evil. The 1833 Council of Bolaris, the meeting responsible for the foundation of the Sanctuary's contemporary doctrines and traditions, shifted sharply towards designating Isachul as absolute good and Baahgul as absolute evil. The Sanctuary maintains that it alone has the authority to interpret the Holy Books of Canaanism, and designates primacy to the Holy Writ of Isachul over the Apocrypha of Baahgul using the Standard Canaanite Version. Early Sanctionists who disagreed with and rejected the Council of Bolaris formed the Refuge of Baahgul (resulting in the Schism) who not only viewed Baahgul as good, but the main aspect of God to worship. As a result of its position and belief that it alone is the sole arbiter and legitimate authority on the Canaanite faith, the Sanctuary regards all other organizations and bodies which are not in communion with the High Priest as heretical and apostate.

Like all other Canaanite denominations, the Sanctuary upholds the Five Rites: Kalfal (aspersion of oil or perfume), Pushar (bloodletting), Taagli (incense burning), Ischalaa (sun dance), and Itisha (sacred dance). In addition, it upholds the power of prayer, meditation, and seances, as well as the concepts of universal priesthood (not to be confused with ordained priests) and end-time eschatology. The Sanctuary teaches the Great Equilibrium is the ultimate goal for humanity's salvation, and will only occur if enough souls are rejoined with Isachul, lest God regress into Baahgul and lead to an age of destruction and suffering.

See also

• Canaanism
• Religion in Sierra