Mihel
From Almeopedia
Nëron Mihel [ˈmi ɛl] was one of the Elenicoi, Greeks from Arsinoë, Egypt who left our world in AD 325 and arrived in Avéla in Z.E. 2780. Though a layman, he effectively led the Elenicoi and their Almean converts in the fight for Avelan independence from Kebri, until his execution at the hands of the authorities in 2820.
Etymology: Greek Μιχαήλ, from Hebrew מיכאל 'who is like God'.
Biography
We know little of Mihel's life on Oikumene; suffice it to say that he must have been a youngish man, likely a merchant, and an ethnic Greek Christian. Along with his fellow travelers, he left Arsinoë on a ship bound for India, intending to trade with Christians there. Upon arriving in Avéla harbor, finding nothing resembling India, the Elenicoi eventually came to believe that they had been miraculously transported to a new world in order to spread the Gospel. They found a certain sect— the Arašei— especially amenable to their ideas, and eager to overthrow the pagan Kebreni. As a natural leader, Mihel spearheaded both a religious revival and political insurgency.
There was, of course, some question as to whether the faith of the Almeans was compatible with orthodox Christianity. Legend tells us that an iliu, Beldobre, visited Mihel and convinced him that the Elenicoi and the Arašei worshiped the same God.
Mihel and the Elenicoi, used to persecution from Rome, deftly organized a disciplined underground resistance, while avoiding overt rebellion. The Elenicoi were endlessly inventive at means to annoy the Kebreni short of outright rebellion: letters, graffitti, peaceful protests, pranks, miracles, tax strikes. The new movement was banned in 2788 and, more than once, legalized as an appeasing gesture, each time revealing a stronger, larger church. The country as a whole was inspired-- sometimes to join in nonviolent agitation, sometimes to revolt.
The Kebreni arrested Mihel several times, which only inflamed his followers more. But in 2820 they had had enough; they tried him and executed him, figuring that tolerance had not worked, and that Mihel's strange powers of persuasion would be ended with his death. He was killed by crushing his head with a stone, an old Kebreni punishment for criminals; the Elenicoi linked this to Nëron Petro, the Rock (so për) and they immediately proclaimed him a saint (nëron).
Avéla erupted into riots which were never really quelled. The area of resistance grew, from the city to the Eren valley to the whole of the country (by 2950).
Legacy
Mihel was succeeded as leader of the Elenicoi by Ezecio, who was acclaimed as king.
The deeds of the Elenicoi are recounted in so ivro Mihelei, the Book of Mihel, part of the holy scripture of the Eleďi.
Among other things, the cathedral (and seat of the patriarch) of Verduria city is named for him, as is the Nëron Mihel district of Avéla.
The Elenicoi married local women. These unions were infertile, but they adopted children, who took the Elenico names as surnames; thus there is a Nëronmíhel family in Érenat.
Mihel is now a popular name in Verdurian.
Verdurian duchy
When Ředom Medeon, duke of Gurëna, converted to Eleďát in 3265, he asked king Ihano to rename his duchy after Nëron Mihel; he also changed his own name to Řegoro.
| Preceded by: None | Patriarch 2780-2820 | Succeeded by: Ezecio |
| Author: Adso de Fimnu |
