St. Arnold's Church (Roftwood)
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St. Arnold's Church |
| St Arnold's Church
Roftwood [67,58]
Basic Info:
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Description
St. Arnold's Church is a church located in the suburb of Roftwood. Father Janus, an elderly, if spirited, priest was posted to St. Arnold's prior to the zombie outbreak. He was known to have held his position at the church for nearly 25 years. His current whereabouts, and whether or not he still survives, are unknown. It should be noted that on several occasions before the outbreak the church offices were raided by the local MPD and even the CIA on one occasion. No arrests were ever made, but it is commonly believed that Father Janus may have been in cahouts with the Malton Mafia.
While the church was considered unassuming by tourists, it was very popular among locals who valued Saint Arnold's blessing as he is often cited as the patron saint of hop-pickers and brewers. There are many depictions of St. Arnold, but he is commonly identified by the mashing rake that he holds in his hand. He is often honored on July 8th with a parade in Brussels to celebrate the "Day of Beer". In Malton this celebration is called "Biertag" (German for "Beer Day").
Saint Arnold was born to a prominent Austrian family in 580 in the Chateau of Lay-Saint-Christophe in the old French diocese of Toul, north of Nancy. He married Doda with whom he had many sons, two of whom were to become famous: Clodulphe, later called Saint Cloud, and Ansegis who married Begga, daughter of Pepin de Landen. Ansegis and Begga are the great great grandparents of Charlemagne, and as such, Saint Arnold is the oldest known ancestor of the Carolingian dynasty.
Saint Arnold was an acclaimed bishop of Metz, France, in 612 and spent his holy life warning peasants about the dangers of drinking stale water. Beer was safe, and "from man's sweat and God's love, beer came into the world". The locals are said to have revered Arnold as illness among their families lessened among all who heeded his advice. In 627, Saint Arnold retired to a monastery near Remiremont, France, where he died on August 16, 640.
In 641, the citizens of Metz requested that Saint Arnold's body be exhumed and ceremoniously carried to Metz for reburial in their Church of the Holy Apostles. During this voyage a miracle came to pass in the town of Champignuelles. The tired porters and followers stopped for a rest and walked into a tavern for a drink of their favorite beverage... beer. Regretfully, there was only one mug of beer to be shared among all of them, but throughout the night that mug never ran dry and all of the thirsty pilgrims were satisfied. And very, very... very drunk.
There are four churches in Malton which honor Saint Arnold. The other churches can be found in Rolt Heights, Brooke Hills, and Judgewood. These days the church serves a different role in the suburb; as an entry-point for Hildebrand Mall just to the north.
Mandate
As a church, St. Arnold's is an ideal shelter for inexperienced survivors seeking to stay off the streets at night. Therefore the building's barricade policy is important, as it promotes keeping the barricades at a level that will allow survivors without Free Running entry. It is for this reason that, similar to hospitals or entry points (in which case this location is both), churches need to have their barricades maintain at a level lower than most other buildings.
Beer Blessing
From the Rituale Romanum (no 58)
"Bene dic, Domine, creaturam istam cerevisae, quam ex adipe frumenti producere dignatus es: ut sit remedium salutare humano generi: et praesta per invocationem nominis tui sancti, ut, quicumque ex ea biberint, sanitatem corporis, et animae tutelam percipiant. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen."
"Bless, O Lord, this creature beer, that Thou hast been pleased to bring forth from the sweetness of the grain: that it might be a salutary remedy for the human race: and grant by the invocation of Thy holy name, that, whosoever drinks of it may obtain health of body and a sure safeguard for the soul. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."
Barricade Policy
The building is to be Extremely Heavily Barricaded at all times to ensure the safety of our parishioners.
Current Events
July 8th, 2007 - On this day one might imagine that locals would celebrate Biertag, but alas the church did not echo with the sound of singing and beer glasses chiming in toast... but rather in silence. It is unknown if any of the local survivors knew of the event, but due to its overall success in Rolt Heights the possibility exists that next year Biertag may yet come to this sleepy church.
