I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 161

< 161. The Holy City (1) >

Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem

“How many people have gathered, exactly?”

Patriarch Theodosius of Constantinople asked. The murmuring of the crowd was audible from inside the conference room.

Bishops and theologians exchanged surprised glances.

“We haven’t been able to ascertain the exact number, but the streets are filled with people.”

“Surely there hasn’t been a riot?”

“Most are praying. Both Latin Church and Orthodox Church believers….”

A bishop wiped the sweat from his brow and said,

“They seem to be celebrating the upcoming announcement of church unification.”

“Church unification! Nothing has been decided yet.”

Theodosius said, looking at the Abyssinian (Ethiopian) priests across from him. [Abyssinia was the historical name for the region now known as Ethiopia and Eritrea.]

They, too, looked quite bewildered by the crowd.

“The Jerusalem Royal Court is announcing the contents of the meeting in the streets every day. As time passes, more and more people….”

“They’re clearly trying to pressure us.”

Theodosius muttered. He turned to look at the King of Jerusalem.

Baldwin sat in his seat, silent as always.

“But he himself isn’t saying anything at the council. I don’t know what he’s up to.”

“Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to be taking the side of the Western Church. He’s just attending the council every day….”

“And just smiling.”

Theodosius replied.

*What on earth is Baldwin thinking?*

It was Baldwin, none other, who initiated the council. And there was even the revelation he received directly from the Lord.

*‘The Lord said the council will succeed!’*

But Baldwin didn’t take anyone’s side at the council. Everyone tried to persuade him behind the scenes, but Baldwin remained silent.

“Then let us resume the discussion.”

The bishop presiding over the meeting opened his mouth. He looked at Baldwin and asked,

“Your Majesty Baldwin, what are your thoughts on the Filioque clause? Do you support the addition of the clause, or do you oppose it?” [The Filioque clause is a phrase inserted into the Nicene Creed stating that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father *and the Son*, a point of theological contention between the Eastern and Western Churches.]

“···.”

Everyone in the conference room turned to Baldwin. Silence fell….

Finally, he opened his mouth.

“Doctrines and prayers are matters for the bishops to decide. How can I, a secular king, say what is right or wrong?”

A sigh escaped from the bishops at his words. It was a mixture of relief and frustration.

“But Your Majesty has already received revelations from the Archangel Michael and the Lord in Europe and Constantinople.”

The presiding bishop rubbed the back of his neck. Anyone could tell he was nervous.

“Then the revelation regarding this council as well….”

“What I received was the Lord’s promise that this council would succeed. There were no other revelations.”

Patriarch Theodosius watched Baldwin answer. He continued to speak in his usual calm tone.

“I say again, doctrines and prayers are matters for the bishops to decide, not me. Otherwise, what meaning would the council have?”

Some bishops exclaimed in admiration. Patriarch Theodosius was one of them.

“A perfect answer that cannot be faulted.”

How much effort had the church put into breaking away from secular power? Kings had always tried to interfere with the church, and the church had fought to gain independent power.

But the situation at this council was the opposite.

“The bishops are asking Baldwin for his opinion, and Baldwin is refusing.”

If Baldwin remained neutral, the council could not make a decision. But the crowd outside was forcing a decision.

“Then let’s start the discussion again.”

Baldwin said with a smile. The same smile he had shown for the past few days.

“The council only has a few days left, doesn’t it? We must come to a conclusion as soon as possible.”

“···.”

The presiding bishop cleared his throat.

“Then let us resume the discussion on the primacy of the Roman Patriarch, His Holiness the Pope. Also, the mutual excommunication between the Eastern and Western Churches that occurred over a hundred years ago….”

The shouts and cheers of the excited crowd echoed from outside.

* * *

The next morning,

Hunting grounds outside Jerusalem

“You were aiming for this situation from the start, weren’t you?”

Theodora said, stroking Bolt’s mane. Bolt nuzzled her head, as if feeling good.

“The order to announce the contents of the council in the streets every day….”

She looked up at me.

“Was to move the people of the kingdom to pressure the bishops.”

“And you deliberately took a vague stance.”

I nodded with a smile. As I got off the saddle, Bolt nudged his head towards me this time.

“I didn’t make any promises or say anything. I just announced that the council would succeed.”

People who heard the news flocked to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre every day, filled with anticipation.

So many people that soldiers had to be mobilized to maintain order.

Such public opinion put pressure on everyone participating in the council.

*‘The option of failure has become completely impossible.’*

The churches had to come up with some kind of result, regardless of doctrinal differences.

Theodora asked,

“What will happen from now on? If the two churches really do unite….”

“The bishops will come to the most basic and obvious conclusion.”

The conclusion was already set. A situation where everyone is equal and yet must somehow compromise.

Only the very basic things that both sides can agree on will be compromised.

“They will acknowledge that the two churches came from the same root and continue dialogue and councils in the future. And revoke the mutual excommunication.”

In 1054, the Churches of Constantinople and Rome excommunicated each other. The mutual excommunication event is called the Great Schism. [The Great Schism formally divided the Christian Church into the Western (Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) branches.]

Revoking that was something both churches could accept.

“It doesn’t seem like that would be a true unification.”

“It’s unification, but at the same time, it’s not.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Theodora’s puzzled expression.

“The Western and Eastern Churches have been bickering and fighting for decades. And they want different things. You can’t unite them all at once.”

In fact, if I wanted to, I could have taken the side of one church. But doing so would have resulted in more losses than gains.

*‘The opposing church would not easily accept it.’*

But what about the results of this council? What if the two churches shake hands again and continue the dialogue?

“Ordinary believers don’t know much about doctrinal issues or political disputes. What they follow are the words of bishops and clergy.”

That was the same in the 21st century.

Few Protestants or Catholics knew much about each other’s differences. The same goes for the Orthodox Church.

Most of the opinions of the believers came from the priests or pastors they followed.

“The people will accept this council as a unification of the two churches.”

“So it becomes the most successful council because it failed. Really….”

Theodora’s shoulders shook.

She laughed, holding her stomach with a slightly curled hand.

The surprised emotions of the guards standing around could be felt.

Theodora said, gasping for breath,

“That’s really a conclusion that’s like you.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

I replied with a smile.

“Then will Jerusalem continue to remain a place that leads the council in the future?”

“That’s right.”

I nodded. As expected, Theodora was quick to notice.

“The Kingdom of Jerusalem was founded by the Latin Church, but geographically it is closer to Eastern Rome. It is a bridge connecting the Western and Eastern Churches. This council is not the end, but the beginning.”

When you think about it, the existence of the Kingdom of Jerusalem itself was a contradiction.

It was once the land of the Roman Empire, occupied by Muslims, and then occupied by the Latin Crusaders.

*‘The Eastern Romans were the first to request the Crusades.’*

The crusader knights swore allegiance to the Eastern Roman Emperor, but broke their oath and established their own kingdom in Jerusalem.

The relationship couldn’t be more complicated than this.

“And Jerusalem can gain the most benefit when it remains neutral.”

The more the council continues, the more important the Kingdom of Jerusalem will become. Both the West and the East will try to bring Jerusalem to their side.

As long as Jerusalem remains neutral, both sides will have no choice but to continue their support.

“Constantinople will support the Crusades, and volunteers will continue to flock from Europe.”

“A council that succeeded because it failed. The more I think about it, the more I laugh.”

Theodora said, wiping away tears.

“There’s no doubt. You must have received a revelation from the Lord, Baldwin.”

I bowed my head instead of answering. We both looked at each other and smiled.

Then the sound of a horse galloping came. The bodyguards rushed out and blocked the suddenly appearing uninvited guest.

“Everyone, get out of the way! Your Majesty!”

“Aig, what’s going on?”

Aig was covered in sweat in his chainmail. Usually, when he looks like that, it’s bad news.

“There’s no problem with the council, is there?”

“Ah, no.”

Aig got off his horse, panting, with a very surprised expression.

“Mecca….”

“What about Mecca?”

“The expedition led by Commanders Renault and Rouak has advanced to the outskirts of Mecca!”

“What?!”

I turned to look at Theodora. She had the same dumbfounded look as me.

“That’s a bit unexpected.”

Sending Renault to Mecca was just a distraction to make the council succeed. And get rid of Renault at the same time.

That’s why I deliberately announced it in all directions.

*‘Saladin must not have properly controlled Mecca.’*

I looked at Aig. Maybe I could get more profit than expected.

“Tell me more. Don’t leave anything out.”

* * *

Medina

“What on earth has Abul Hashim been doing?! What was he doing until those guys reached the walls of Mecca?!”

Saladin walked inside Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque). [Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, also known as the Prophet’s Mosque, is one of Islam’s holiest sites, located in Medina.]

The tomb of Islam’s holy prophet, Muhammad, was right in front of him.

The tombs of the first caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar, were also placed next to it.

Next to Muhammad’s tomb was a hollowed-out space, which was where the resurrected Jesus would be buried after his death.

“It was weeks ago that I announced that the Franks [A historical term used by Muslims to refer to Europeans, particularly the French and other Western Christians.] would invade Mecca! Weeks ago!”

Saladin shouted, waving his arms.

“But why didn’t you prepare anything?!”

“Sultan, please calm your anger.”

An old servant came forward and said. All the other officials and officers stood silently.

It was rare for Saladin to be so angry. His brother, Al-Adil, stepped forward.

“The Sharifs (noble families) of Mecca must have taken your brother’s warning lightly.” [Sharifs are traditional Arab honorifics denoting descent from Muhammad.]

He said.

“In the first place, they ignored your brother and Baghdad’s authority, didn’t they? They must have taken it lightly this time as well.”

“Until now, the Shia guys have attacked Mecca many times. But it is unprecedented for the Frankish guys to set foot in holy Mecca.”

Saladin said. He reached out and stroked the Prophet’s tomb.

“What will the Muslims think when they hear this news?”

His subordinates continued to speak.

“According to reports, there are not many of them. If the Sultan sees the great army you lead, they will run away immediately!”

“The walls of Mecca are strong! It only takes a few days to get from here in Medina to Mecca….”

“Everyone be quiet. I need to think.”

Silence flowed, and Saladin said, holding his forehead.

“Al-Adil.”

“Yes, brother.”

“I will entrust you with the vanguard. Protect Mecca from the idolaters….”

He growled.

“No matter what, capture that dirty pig, Renault. I swear to Allah, I will cut off his neck myself.”

“It will be done as you wish.”

“It’s not what I want.”

Saladin said, moving his steps. As he went out of the mosque, tens of thousands of soldiers and knights greeted him.

“It’s what Almighty Allah wants.”

Council of Nicaea, Vasily Surikov 1876, Public Domain