So apparently the Hierophant has "Transcended the confines of ecclesiarchal hierachy" and is now on a new, life-long mission to work the will of the Empra "according to his own judgement".

So how does one go about becoming a Hierophant? I see the bit that mentions the title being slapped on as a precursor to sainthood, but nothing really explains the path to transcending the flippin adeptus ministorum. So how exactly do you fellas think one goes about making this happen? Can any person who is pious, manipulative or lucky enough, sneak his way into the favor of the Sol Synod, enough for them to go "Hey everyone, this dude here, right? Let's let him roam free to pursue his own interpretation of the credo imperialis, I'm sure that won't bite us in the ass in the slightest"? Or is it like a stepladder where the people most likely to be elevated to this, most sacred of sacred positions (with the exception of the ecclesiarch himself, of course), are themselves highranking and proven, pious members of the their synod? Like a priest, working his way up archbishop of a certain diocese, then being elevated to the position of cardinal for his diocese, then cardinal on the sector synod, getting an archdiocese, and -then- he being raised above the ecclesiarchal hierachy?

What power does this convey? Is "having transcended" the ecclesiarchy the same as being cut off from it? Is it a purety-based VIP card to the intergalactic funland that is the ministorum coffers? Does it convey privileges like access to forbidden libraries and the secret vaults of the ministorum, being given the authority to target anyone or anyplace for a purgatus or is it like taking The Black on an intergalactic scale? Is it something in between?

Insight and opinion very much appreciated.

-Nearyn

Nearyn said:

I always assumed that the Hierophant is something akin to the missionary bishop of the early medieval period. He has the station to tell even a king what he wants, but he's not really bound to anyone save some distant powerful figure that legitimizes his actions. He's free to chose an agenda and fanatical enough to accept martyrdom if his mission demands it. I would also assume that the Hierophant is the last station a priest achieves, effectively a glorious and respected end of the line.

I can work with this

Thank you.

Any thoughts on the question of his continued connection to the ecclesiarchy?

Nearyn said:

Well, it's not that he's cut off from it. He might continue to exchange messages with other priests or he may be a part of a specific movement that requires him to return to the main temple every decade or so. He might request preachers for a certain cause, inform the hierarchy about problems, heresy or corruption in a specicifc cult/parish/diocese, reclaim a fallen/lost temple etc.

Imagine the whole hierarchy of the ecclesiarchy, from the lowest servant to the ecclesiarch, the hierophant is at the top middle part and outside of it. He knows people and people know him. He might get a request from a cardinal to assist a sororitas convent in a matter of faith, he might spend a year indoctrinating a group of witchunter acolytes, he might head an inquiry into a beatification process etc. all of which would require at least an open channel to members of the ecclesiarchy.

Arag said:

I see. That was the vibe I was getting, but I am honestly never sure in these matters. Your perspective is very much appreciated, thank you for your input