aight this is a long one. strap in
Annual Assemblage of the Glorified
happens on March 20th every year and occurs in 3 parts.
part 1: the Feast of Saints
this is an all day event that takes place in the squares of each district. shrines are built for everyone who “ascended” (killed themselves) that year. it’s tradition that you ascend in front of a bishop, but those who do so alone are still honored, tho their shrines aren’t as big. citizens will eat and drink all day in honor of those who are glorified.
the Dema Elite have a separate, private feast hosted by Father Vetomo. this is what’s in the Saturday music video.
part 2: the Anointing and the Red March
after the feast, those special few citizens who’ve been chosen to Ascend during the Assemblage gather in Reisdro’s Tower. nine neon markers are crafted by the hands of the Bishops. the Bishops then choose one citizen from their own district and Anoint them (brand them). this is called the Sacre Novem.
the remaining citizens then Ascend before the Nine Bishops, either by poison or self-exsanguination. their bodies are taken out of the tower by Father Nills’ Corspebearers and laid in open caskets along the road to the Grand Chapel.
once all this is finished, each Bishop escorts their Anointed citizen to the Grand Chapel. this is called the Red March, and the entire city lines the road like a parade. this is also broadcast to the whole city if they do not attend.
after the Red March, the Bishops, the Anointed citizens, and the highest ranking citizens all gather in the Grand Chapel. Nico gives a final sermon, and one by one, each Anointed citizen Ascends for the whole city to see.
NOTE: if a person is becoming a Bishop, they are Anointed and do so during the Sacre Novem. the Bishop they are replacing Ascends in their stead. (except that’s a lie and the Bishop is taking over their body once they’re near death and extending their life)
