Introduction to the third Edition
In the quiet halls of Saint Selene Abbey, where the passage of time seems to stand still, I have spent many years revisiting the words of those who came before us. In the solitude of these chambers, I have felt the weight of our shared history—the truths and the mysteries that are forever bound to the text we call the Quaternary Texts.
This edition, the third, is an attempt to reconcile the diverse voices that have contributed to the Church’s history, from the earliest pilgrims to the great missionaries who have shaped our faith. For generations, these texts have been the foundation of our belief, the sacred record that binds us together as a faithful community. But no record, no matter how revered, is ever complete. The truth is never as simple as we might wish it to be. It is not a static thing, but a living thing that grows with each new discovery and each new interpretation.
The third edition of the Quaternary Texts is, in many ways, a synthesis of everything I have learned during my years at the Abbey. It is a revision, yes, but also a reaffirmation of the texts and teachings that have guided the faithful for centuries. It includes the writings of the Church's great figures—Saint Aleph, Saint Barlowe, Saint Selene, and many others—but it also acknowledges the gaps, the incompletions that will always be part of our story. For every truth we uncover, there is another truth we must leave unspoken, another mystery we must let remain untouched.
The texts included in this edition have been meticulously preserved, restored, and edited. Much of what is found here has been drawn from the sacred archives, handed down through the ages by the scribes and faithful who came before us. I have done my best to preserve the integrity of these texts, but I have also sought to bring clarity to certain passages where interpretation may have been muddled by the passage of time. The Church’s doctrine, its teachings, have changed and evolved, and it is my duty to ensure that the Quaternary Texts reflect those changes, while remaining true to the core beliefs that have sustained us.
There is, however, much we do not yet understand. As I compile this third edition, I am painfully aware that it is incomplete—that there are still questions to be answered, truths to be discovered. The nature of faith is such that we can never reach the final truth; it is a journey, an unending search for meaning and understanding. We must remain humble in the face of the unknown, even as we continue to seek.
The third edition represents, I believe, a significant step forward for the Church, but it is not the end of our journey. We are but pilgrims, as we have always been. And while I have worked to bring together the many voices that make up our story, I know that I am not the last to have a hand in shaping this text. The work of interpretation, of editing, will continue long after I am gone.
In my remaining years, I hope to continue my work, but I have also come to terms with the fact that this third edition, while comprehensive, will likely not be the final word on our faith. There will always be those who will question, who will seek out new revelations, and who will continue the work of uncovering the truth—in the archives, in the manuscripts, and perhaps even in the hearts of the faithful.
For now, I offer this edition in the hope that it will serve as a guide, a foundation for future generations. I have labored over these words, these texts, and in them, I have poured not only my intellect but also my faith. It is my sincere hope that this work will illuminate the path for those who follow, and that it will inspire them to continue the search, to question, and to believe.
May this third edition be a blessing to those who read it, and may it guide us all on the journey that is yet to come.