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The Ecclesiarch is the nominal high-priest of the Imperial Cult and the chief administrator of the Adeptus Ministorum. Elected for life by the Holy Synod, a gathering of the most prominent Cardinals of the Imperium of Man, the Ecclesiarch primary duties are to represent the Ecclesiarchy as one of the High Lords of Terra in the Senatorum Imperialis, to order the launch of Crusades of Faith, and monitor and maintain the devotion of the average Imperial citizen towards the God-Emperor of Mankind. Since the establishment of the Imperial Cult as the state religion of the Imperium in the 32nd Millennium, the Ecclesiarch has always held a position as one of the High Lords of Terra and has maintained a highly influential seat on the Senatorum Imperialis, at times acting as the Imperium's most politically powerful High Lord. The Ecclesiarch rules the Imperial Cult's galaxy-spanning priestly hierarchy from the massive, continent-sized Ecclesiarchal Palace on Terra, which is one of the most popular sites for pilgrimage in the whole Imperium.

Known Ecclesiarchs

There have been close to 600 individuals who have borne the title of Ecclesiarch since the inception of the Imperial Cult as the Imperial state religion in the 32nd Millennium. The following short list contains the most (in)famous of those to occupy the Ecclesiarchal Throne on Terra.

Name

Notable Feats

Cause of Death

Veneris II

Ecclesiarch during the 32nd Millennium, Veneris II was the first Ecclesiarch of the Imperial Cult to become a member of the Senatorum Imperialis

Old Age
Benedin IV

Ecclesiarch during 35th Millennium, moved the central seat of power of the Ecclesiarchy to Ophelia VII and distanced himself from the Senatorum Imperialis

Unknown
Greigor XI

Ecclesiarch during 35th Millennium, returned the Adeptus Ministorum's seat of power to Terra, but increased Ecclesiarchial control of the Senatorum Imperialis

Poisoned
Alexis XXI

Ecclesiarch during 35th Millennium, famous for corrupting memebers of the Officio Assassinorum and use them to cement the Ecclesiarchy's power over the rest of the Imperium.

Unknown
Paulis III

Ecclesiarch at the beginning of 36th Millennium, utterly incompetent and controlled by Goge Vandire

Executed as Heretic

Goge Vandire

Ecclesiarch at the beginning of 36th Millennium, and also Master of the Administratum. Paranoid megalomaniac who almost brought the Imperium low.

Executed as Heretic

Sebastian Thor Ecclesiarch during the 36th Millennium, led the revolt against Goge Vandire and was promoted in his stead. Promulgated reforms including the Decree Passive and the creation of the Adepta Sororitas. Acclaimed as Saint and greatest Ecclesiarch ever. Old Age
Equitus XI Successor of Sebastian Thor during the 36th Millennium. Reinstated the tradition of taking an Ecclesiarchal name. Finalized Thor's reform and the organisation of the Adepta Sororitas, creating the convents and the rank of Abbess to lead the convents. Old Age
Alexis XXII Ecclesiarch of the late 36th Millennium. Split the existing Convent Sanctorum and Convent Prioris of the Adepta Sororitas into two convents each. Unknown
Deacis VI Ecclesiarch during the 38th Millennium. Split the existing Convents further, spreading the influence of the Adepta Sororitas to the furthest reaches of the Imperium. Unknown
Inovian III Ecclesiarch during the 39th Millennium. Canonized the Heroes of the Redemption Crusades as Saints, living incarnations of the Emperor's will. Unknown
Umberto II Ecclesiarch during the 39th Millennium. First Ecclesiarch since Goge Vandire to reaffirm the authority and power of the Adeptus Ministorum over the Imperium, and worked tirelessly to promulgate the Imperial Faith across the human-settled galaxy. Revered as an Imperial Saint and buried on the Cemetery World of Certus Minor. Unknown
Decius XXIII Current ruling Ecclesiarch, famous for clashing with the Inquisition. Still Alive

Sources

  • Codex: Sisters of Battle (2nd Edition) pg. 6
  • Warhammer 40,000 Rulebook (6th Edition), pg. 171
  • Codex: Witch Hunters (3rd Edition)
  • Legion of the Damned (Novel) by Rob Sanders
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