Eruditia
The Illuminarchal Union of Eruditia, formerly known as the Principality of Eruditia or simply known to most as Eruditia, is a micronation founded on October 1st, 2010. It is a sovereign principality situated in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in Washington State. Its form of government is an illuminarchy.
Etymology
The name "Eruditia" comes from the word erudite, which means "characterized by great knowledge; learned or scholarly". This name was given to the micronation because of its firm belief in scholarly seeking for scientific truths, relgious wisdom, and cultural preservation.
The name of the micronation itself has changed only twice in its existence. It was founded as the Principality of Eruditia on October 1st; however, after annexing various regions and seeing as the land-size was beginning to swell, Illuminarch Nicholas I deemed that the term "principality" did not display the current state of the nation; thus, the name was changed to "Illuminarchal Union of Eruditia", showing the conglomerate of provinces now acquired by Eruditia.
What is an Illuminarchy?
The following tract is quoted from the Illuminarchal Union of Eruditia's homepage:
An illuminarchy (illumos = enlightened, archos = ruling) is a governing system ruled with emphasis on expanding the arts, philosophy, religion, and science. Its sole duty is to constantly gain new knowledge and to broaden its understanding of the natural world, the ethereal world, and the mind.
Illuminarchy was first proposed by Plato in his Dialogues and Republic. In it, he describes what he called at the time a noocracy: a social and political system that is "based on the priority of human mind".
One of the first attempts of a noocracy was by Pythagoras, when he planned on building a "City of the Wise" with his fellow mathematikoi in Italy. Plato described noocracy as the government of the future by which all humans shall be subject to. He predicted that this form of government would soon replace democracy.
In later times, scientists and philosophers like Vladimir Vernadsky and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin expanded on Plato's idea, creating what they called a 'noosphere', in which a collective educated mindset governed the world.
From these ideals come the basis of illuminarchy, in which the intellectuals of society rule, and special emphasis is placed on such things as culture, religion, and science.
In the Constitution of Eruditia's Preamble, it states:
"It is acknowledged that knowledge as a whole has become an ideal lost in this current generation and time"
Illuminarchists argue that, as time progressed, religion, philosophy, and science fell to the background, and instead of saving these essential lost objectives, the majority of mankind chose things like pop culture and mass media to fill the void. Such things are unacceptable, which is why Eruditia is taking these measures as a sort of "renaissance" revival.
In an illuminarchy, there is one leader, the Illuminarch, who presides, directs, and watches over the illuminarchy. He or she has two Consuls: these are the people who plan to succeed the Illuminarch. Aside from the Illuminarch and Consuls is a Provincial Parliament, who is the major legislative and judicial branch. The parliament is made up of at most 3 Local Governors from each Province of Eruditia. The top Local Governor is called the Erudite Counselor. It is this law-making body that helps propagate and proliferate the studies done in the country.
Illuminarchy focuses on knowledge and equality rather than power and authority. As such, the illuminarch and his or her Consuls and Parliament only exist for the sake of a rigid structure and to help ease the process of scientific and religious inquiry, nothing more.
Conception and Independence
For a long time, Nicholas had seen the degredation of intelligence and religion throughout the world. It seemed that, as if a giant switch had been turned off, all notions of the advancement of philosophy, science, and spirituality simply began to stagnate. As a result, Nicholas decided to take action.
On September 28th, 2010, Nicholas began to write the Constitution of Eruditia, which not only would outline the the structure of his new micronation, but would also serve as a manifesto for the form of government which would eventually emerge as illuminarchy. Nicholas wanted to create a haven, both virtual and physical, where people from all walks could share philosophical ideals, scientific discoveries, and religious truths in an environment of complete tolerance. From these core beliefs arose the Principality of Eruditia.
On October 1st, 2010, Nicholas completed the entire Constitution. He declared himself first Illuminarch of Eruditia, claimed a small portion of the Cascade foothills as the Principality, and issued the national website.
National Symbols
Eruditia has several national symbols.
The national colors are:
- Blue, signifying peace
- White, signifying purity
- Gold, signifying an insatiable appetite for knowledge
Other national symbols include:
- The Bird of Paradise flower, symbolizing beauty, passion, and robustness
- The evergreen, representing hardiness, stability and vitality,
- Fossils of any kind, respresenting a love for the past
Ecclesius Eugnosis
The Principality of Eruditia offers complete religious tolerance; however, they have their own church, known as the Ecclesius Eugnosis (ek-klee-szee-us you-know-sis), or "Church of Good Knowledge". The Ecclesius Eugnosis is a Christian-based church with its ideals based firmly on Christian Orthodox truths and wisdom, drawing much inspiration from early church apostles, leaders, and bishops. However, similarities end there.
The Ecclesius Eugnosis believes in complete openness to all truths from the ages. This translates into having a wide canon of accepted books and gospels, ranging from the typical Old and New Testament, to Apocryphal texts, to Gnostic texts from the Dead Sea and the Nag Hammadi Library. The following are a list of typically accepted books according to the Ecclesius Eugnosis:
- All books of the Old Testament
- All books of the New Testament
- The Apocrypha
- 1 Esdras
- 2 Esdra
- Book of Tobit
- Book of Judith
- Rest of Esther
- Wisdom of Solomon
- Book of Ecclesiasticus
- Book of Baruch
- Song of the Three Children
- History of Susanna
- Bel and the Dragon
- Prayer of Manasses
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabess
- The Book of Mormon
- The Pearl of Great Price
- Doctrine and Covenants
- 1 Enoch
- 2 Enoch
- Book of Jubilees
- Life of Adam and Eve
- Assumption of Moses
- Testaments of the 12 Patriarchs
- Gospel of Thomas
- Gospel of Philip
- Gospel of Nicodemus
- Gospel of Bartholomew
- Gospel of Truth
- The Pistis Sophia
- The Apocryphon of James
- Acts of Andrew
- Acts of Barnabas
- Acts of John
- Acts of the Martyrs
- Acts of Paul
- Acts of Paul and Thecla
- Martyrdom of Paul
- Acts of Peter
- Acts of Peter and Andrew
- Acts of Peter and Paul
- Acts of Thomas
- Acts of Philip
- 1 Infancy Gospel of Thomas
- 2 Infancy Gospel of Thomas
- The Protoevangelium of James
The Ecclesius Eugnosis also keeps in mind that, as more discoveries are made, more books shall be added. The Illuminarchal Union of Eruditia doesn't force its citizens into joining the Ecclesius Eugnosis, but simply allows citizens access to the entirety of Christian writings, instead of modifying the canon to fit certain needs.
Eruditian Land
On October 1st, Eruditia claimed a sizeable property as the headquarters of his new nation. He named his capital Lumia, meaning "shining light" in Latin. Afterwards, he claimed several more pieces of surrounding land around him, giving room for his fledgling Principality to grow.
Several more citizens had begun to appear, mainly with claims still in Washington State, but now with a foreign colony in Macau (also known as Macao). As Illuminarch, Nicholas inducted this region of Macau as the Protectorate of New Macau.
A week later, his Principality grew enormously as Svava Anna-Lena of the URGI File:Urgi flag.png(United Republic of Greendlandic Icelander) and Empress Solange of the CAS File:Cas flag.png(Chilean Archipelago of Surania) decided to merge their territories with Eruditia.
Seeing as he had claimed much land over a huge expanse of the current world, Nicholas I decided to rename the Eruditia from the Principality of Eruditia to the Illuminarchal Union of Eruditia, clearly showing Eruditia's claim of unionizing each of the 3 new areas. Instead of protectorates, the three are now provinces of the Illuminarchal Union.
Biographies of the Current Provinces
The Capital Province of Lumia
The capital of Lumia was the first province to be inducted as a province; it was created October 1st, along with the then-called Principality of Eruditia. Lumia consists of the Illuminarchal Botanical Gardens, which consist of many Northwest flora and the Illuminarchal Palace. The palace houses the Instrumental Room, the Illuminarch's Quarters, the Guest Foyer, the Dining Hall, and the Entertainment Plateau outside.
Lumia has inherited the general weather patterns of Northwest micronations: mostly cloudy, with sunbreaks throughout the day. It rains much during the fall, winter, and spring seasons, which results in constant flooding (it is not uncommon for Eruditian mainland to become an island for weeks at a time). Snow can also become debilitating at times; due to its hilly/mountainous terrain, Lumian territory in the winter can become treacherous to all forms of locomotion save walking. As such, Eruditia has braved through many storms, including the Cataclysm of 2006: a back-to-back flood/windstorm/blizzard that left Eruditia an island for over a month and without electric power for over 2 weeks. Lumia now has back-up generators that insure safety of all its denizens.
Lumia serves as the primary area for the Illuminarch to move about and inhabit. Most of the Illuminarch's manifestos, writings, and literature (including the Constitution) were penned in Lumia.
Lumian culture is much different than the other provincial cultures. Lumia is an urban wonderland, contrary to the colonial feel of provinces like Surania and New Nordica. Lumians value music and literature above all other secondary needs.
The Province of New Macau
The Province of new Macau was started with the advent of a population of Eruditians living in the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. As soon as word spread of a growing colony there, Nicholas I inaugurated the area as a protectorate.
The Province of the New Nordica
Previously the United Republic of Greenlandic Icelanders. The URGI has been around since December of 2008. After going a succession of 4 Presidents, Illuminarch Nicholas I being one of them previously, the Republic, under the guidance of Svava-Anna Lena, decided to merge with Eruditia. The URGI gained such notoriety that there is even a parody of its history on its Uncyclopedia page.
The Province of New Nordica incorporates unclaimed or uninhabitated islands from the countries of Iceland, Greenland, and Great Britain, forming a ring of islands under one sovereign rule. As the URGI, this country calmly situated itself, making sure not to enter into any diplomatic tangles with the countries its islands surround.
The Province of New Nordica is mainly oceanic in nature, and is home to many fantastic ice shelves, glaciers, and volcanoes. Although a harsh place to live, fishing is a major industry, as the islands encircle the lush Atlantic Ocean. Pines grow in this hardy environment, and mostly arctic mammals inhabit this region.
The Province of Surania
Previously the Chilean Archipelago of Surania. The etymology of Surania comes from the Hispanic word sur, which means south, and ania, a simple Latin suffix meaning land or region.
Surania encompasses 6 islands: one large main island surrounded by an archipelagic chain of 5 lesser islands. These islands are located in the southern portion of Chile, near Tierra del Fuego, approaching Antarctica (note however, that Eruditia has no claims in Antarctica at the present time).
Surania is famous for its presence of the monkey puzzle tree, a tree nearly extinct in other regions of the world and found almost exclusively in Chile. Like the Province of New Nordica, hardy trees and antarctic animals populate its winding coastlines and such.
Suranian culture is directly affected by the surrounding culture of Chile. One such it the myth of the Ghost Ship, an eerie vessel piloted by a witch. It is said to sail along the numerous channels and waterways that lace the islands of southern Chile and Surania. It is said that whomever looks upon the Ghost Ship is sentenced to die in the near future.
Surania produces much seafood, much like its northern cousin New Nordica.
The "Columns of Erudition": Ministries of Eruditia
Eruditia has 3 primary ministries that have various departments within them. Each ministry has a specific role in upholding one of Erudita's primary beliefs. These ministries, commonly characterized as the "Columns of Erudition", help Eruditia progress and provide Eruditia with new ideas for the betterment of the people, the nation, and illuminarchy itself.
The Ministry of Empiricism
The Ministry of Empiricism is Eruditia's scientific hub. Here, scientists from all fields of science come and provide inquiries, do experiments, and continually progress all fields of science. Of the Ministry, there are many departments, which specialize in a specific field of science. These departments include:
- Department of Physical Sciences (DoPS)
- Department of Engineering Physics (DoEP)
- Department of Theoretical Physics (DoTP)
- Department of Chemistry (DoC)
- Department of Geology (DoGo)
- Department of Archaeology (DoAr)
- Department of Paleontology (DoPa)
- Department of Geography (DoGe)
- Department of Humanity (DoH)
- Department of Psychology (DoPy)
- Department of Sociology (DoS)
- Department of Anthropology (DoAn)
- Department of Biology (DoB)
- Department of Evolutionary Biology (DoEB)
- Department of Ecology (DoEc)
- Department of Genetics (DoGn)
- Department of Astronomy (DoAs)
Each department, with its subdepartments, help in the progression of Eruditia by working together for the better good. For example, the DoPS creates the engineered portions of a project, the DoGo tracks tectonic tremors, taps into geothermal energy sources, and connect Eruditians with the past. The DoH helps with the humanistic logistics of thigns ranging from populations to abnormal behaviors, while the DoB helps in exploring new environments and keeping them intact. To reach for the heavens, Eruditians need not look farther than the DoAs.
Ministry of Sanctity
The Ministry of Sanctity is where the Ecclesius Eugnosis, the offered religion of Eruditia, is governed and regulated. Here, the Ministry decides which books to canonize as new findings come to light, and how to introduce them to the public. This Ministry also helps in giving out new material and providing various insights on even the most complex of scriptures.
Being a fairly simple and orderly Ministry, the Ministry of Sanctity does not require many departments. They are as follows:
- Department of Distribution
- Department of Enlightenment (emphasis on Gnostic writings and the Books of Isaiah & Revelation)
- Department of Translation
- Department of Regulation
All of these ministries mesh together to form a cohesive unit that helps spread unbiased religious materials to all who are willing to read. Although the Ecclesius Eugnosis is never imposed on Eruditian denizens, it has become the top religion in Eruditia, due to its openness and access to all books of scripture in the Judaeo-Christian canon
Ministry of Conservation
The Ministry of Conservation is all about the preservation of Eruditian culture. It helps to establish cultural norms, assists in the propagation of illuminarchy, and aids in the diplomatic and expansive efforts of the nation; in short, many view it as the embodiment of Eruditia.
This Ministry also deals with things such as finance and economics, and is in charge of various other minor roles that allow Eruditia to run smoothly. The Ministry has the following departments:
- Department of Culture
- Department of Economics
- Department of Propagation
- Department of Diplomacy
- Department of Errata
The Illuminarch is highly involved in this Ministry, and helps make many of the executive decisions made. Many times, the Illuminarch will council with the Ministry of Preservation before making major choices.
History of Eruditia
September 28th, 2010: Illuminarch Nicholas I pens the Constitution
October 1st, 2010: Nicholas completes Constitution, becomes first Illuminarch, claims sovereign territory, and completes website
October 2nd, 2010: Eruditia joins MicroWiki. First citizen, Victoria, joins.
October 4th, 2010: Constantine Augustus becomes 2nd citizen; diplomacy between Eruditia and the Tsarist Empire of Gishabrun begin. Shortly thereafter, Eruditia begins diplomatic affairs with the Kingdom of Istoria
October 5th, 2010: The Principality of Eruditia inherits the Chilean Archipelago of Surania and the United Republic of Greenlandic Icelanders. As such, the Principality turns into an Illuminarchal Union.
Entire month of November 2010: Illuminarch Nicholas I takes a "vicis pondero", or a Time of Thinking, to ponder on Eruditia's new plan for the future
December 1st, 2010: Illuminarch Nicholas I returns from his vicis pondero with a new plan dubbed Truth is Power, publishing a brief statement in the new Eruditian magazine "Ray of Light News"
December 6th, 2010: Eruditia sends a request via email to the Micras Council for claiming a small island
December 16th, 2010 Eruditia joins the Micras forums. The land claim is accepted, and a small island is claimed, renamed Perma Luce, and used to house the Underwater City of Cylera.
