Christianity in Varshan

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Christianity in Varshan has been present since Aster's expedition exposed Crona to the Occident in the late 14th century. For most of its history, Christianity was illegal and practice of it was a capital crime. Despite this, small numbers of Christian communities existed, and Christianity was commonly introduced to slaves through Occidental slaves. As an underground religion, a precise history of the impact of Christianity in Varshan is hard for historians to measure, but though popular among some slaves its pre-Deluge peak was likely capped at about 2% of the population. The Final War of the Deluge and destruction of Zurgite Varshan led to the legalization of Christianity. In the Urcean Zone of Occupation, proliferation of Christianity is a key policy concern.

It is estimated that Christianity is the fastest growing religion in Varshan. It is particularly popular among former slaves and generally among people originating in traditionally low ranked castes.

Scholars have noted that Christianity has historically had an appeal to Arzali adherents due to the relative compatibility of the traditional Arzali concept of human sacrifice and the Christian theological notion of substitutionary atonement.

Terminology

In Hieratic Varshani, Christianity has two types of names. The most commonly used term historically was a pejorative, "Mejada'felta", a term that can be broadly translated as "followers of the Death God's victim". This term is understood to mock the crucifixion of Jesus as an incident making him subordinate to the chief deity of Orthodox Arzalism. This term was used in most official contexts between Aster's expedition and the Fall of Anzo. Varshani Christians, as well as some others in limited circumstances, instead use two related names: "Kriziztan", a literal reuse of the word "Christian", and "Husen'zelta", which means "followers of the Anointed".

In most instances, the term "Mejada'felta" has been regulated as hate speech in League-occupied Varshan with the exception of the Daxian occupied Zanoma Regional Administration, where it remains the preferred terminology.

History

First arrivals

Long Persecution

Demographics

Denominations

Caste