Since Jean and Roderychus are both in the church we get a chance for a little paladin Rping. please post all church messages here.

Jean soon discovers what Roderychus has already. St Elijah's is a modest church, nice but not very large. The main entrance way is little more than a hall that opens into the larger chamber.

Rows of pews stripe the floor and the altar is covered with candles and various iconic images. A large cross adorns the stone wall above.

Roderychus is now standing near the priest who seems to have just addressed him.

The old priest says "Welcome to the church of St Elijah. My name is father Patroclus, what can I do for you?"

And Roderychus, kneeling, answers "I am Roderychus of the Venturoi, and I come for both your blessing and perhaps a few words, father."

Entering the structure, Jean noted differences in this church from the ones of his homeland.  He was not entirely unaccustomed to these differences, but the farther east he had traveled, the more pronounced they had become.

His attention had wandered to the surroundings, but he found up ahead Roderychus, speaking with what appeared to be a priest.  There was no reason that Jean would interfere, let alone the fact that he had barely met the Venturos.

Instead, he quietly made his way to a pew to sit, contemplating his life and its meaning.

Father Patroclus makes the sign of the cross and nods his head in the direction of the paladin before laying his hands on the man. Roderychus feels the holy energy of God surge through the priest and into him leaving a warm glow over his entire being.
"Now my son, what is it that you want to talk about?"

"I have just arrived from Constantinople on a ship bound to Pereyaslavets. I was wondering if there is anything of concern I should keep in mind when entering the land of the rus these days. Many years have gone since I last came to these parts..."

The cleric looks thoughtful for a second then says..."You have visited the land of the Rus before then...then you know that for the most part the Rus are pagan. Some have taken our faith it is true but I suspect they still hold onto their pagan ways somewhat. Even our beloved Prophet Elijah is seen as a Christian version of Perun, the thunder god of the Rus."

"I will tell you that in many ways these simple pagans are more trustworthy than those of our empire. They still hold personal honor as important and will rarely lie to your face like many a Byzantine will...yet for all this they are still pagan and are doomed to eternal damnation."

"Our own city of Mesmembria has been raided several times so there is a bit of apprehension among the citizens when it comes to the Rus but still there are Rus who live nt eh city and cause no problems at all. It is a strange situation."

Sitting in a pew more towards the back end of the church, Jean noticed that neither the priest nor Roderychus were speaking quietly.  Rather, they were conversing in such a normal tone that it was impossible not to make out some of the conversation.  Reflexively, the knight glanced partially of his shoulder, but then stopped himself so as not to seem rude.

Moving to kneel upon the floor, Jean began to pray.

Ok, take as much time as you need to finish up here at the church...we are moving out with a post in the morning but I have no problem is this bleeds, timewise, into the next bit of activity.

"We can only hope that some of them might see the light of the Lord and eventually seek redemption. But I must go rest my body, since my soul is already refreshed from my travels. Thank you for the words, father."

Roderychus starts taking his leave and if Jean is not concentrating on his prayers he will stop by and salute the knight.

OOC: I have no intention of delaying the progress of the plot. If you guys have no other possibilities on your mind I'll be fine with simply assuming that Jean and Roderychus talked a bit about religion and their waterborne travel so far and retired for the night.