Pontifex Konstantin IX

Pontifex Konstantin IX, born Vychaslav Reshevsky, is the head of the Pontifical Church and ruler of the Pontifical States since 3020. Konstantin previously served as Secretary of State under Pontifex Rokossovsky. Konstantin is a self proclaimed traditionalist, marking a return to the previously unbroken string of traditionalist pontifexes before Rokossovsky.

When Konstantin assumed office, the Pontifical States remained a tributary state of the Neu Corporate Republik. Upholding the Treaty of Novenae, Konstantin kept the nations military forces out of the NCR-IDO war, and declared independence from the Republik in 3021. Since then, Konstantin has made great efforts to align his government with traditional Ekklesiovskian allies through the royal families of the Balancin Kingdoms, Lancastria, and Byfair. Konstantin presided over the coronations of Charles VI, Edward, Maximillian II, Jan Maurice Austen, Kaito Aumākua I, and John II. The Pontifical States were a founding member of the Holy Roman Empire created on 1 January 3025.

Career

Secretary of State

During his years as Secretary of State Reshevsky negotiated on behalf of Ecclesia in the peace talks following the NCR-Ecclesia Conflict, and negotiated the terms for Ecclesia to enter the Republik as the Thirteenth Prefecture. Under his leadership, the Ecclesian delegation negotiated an end to the country’s status as a tributary state and retained the Pontifical government’s full control over domestic affairs including widespread freedoms for Taurans within the state. In return the country ended a centuries long foreign policy of absolute political isolation by joining the Republik and ceding sovereign control of foreign affairs to the Republik Federal Government.

Pontificate

Since taking office as Pontifex, Konstantin declared independence following the collapse of the NCR in the NCR-IDO War. He has reversed several of the political universalist policies of Pontifex Rokossovsky, but has made strong efforts to support Christian monarchies throughout the Doggerlands. Most notably, he issued a decree to Rockfield citizens demanding the restoration of the Balancin Monarchy in a public referendum. On March 8 3021, Konstantin coronated Charles VI of Rockfield, restoring the Balancin Crown after 35 years of vacancy.

December Crisis

Konstantin was temporarily removed from power during the December Crisis of 3021. A coalition led by former Vicar-General Talbot Roberts and Vicar-General Yuri Lenkov abducted Konstantin and seized control of the Pontifical Government under the illusion of Konstantin’s incapacity to rule. The acting government under Lenkov was unseated by a military coup d'etat which claimed to hold power under the premise of returning Konstantin to office. Following a final clash between the Lancastrian Special Forces, the Protector-General Government forces under Vera Levedeva, and the Lenkov acting government forces, Konstantin was found to be illegally held from returning to office by the Protector-General. He was restored to power on January 22, 3022.

Rockfield

Following the December Crisis Konstantin remained out of the international scene, with the exception of calling the first Ecumenical Council of the Pontifical Church since the Second Council of Ecclesia in 2781. The Council of Lancastria, held at the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel from August-September of 3022, reunited the Pontifical Church and the schismatic Rockfield Christian Church. The Rockfield Church, which had broken away following the Rockfield Succession Crisis, was reintegrated as the Rockfield Rite, a special sect of the Pontifical Church which recognizes the unique elements and heritage of the Church in Rockfield. The Rite is administered by the King of Rockfield in his capacity as a Legate of the Church.

Most recently, Pontifex Konstantin has issued a papal bull Quia Regnum et Potestas in which he supports and recognizes the independence of the Kingdom of Rockfield from the Republic of Wiltshire, and calls for individual members of the faith to act in support of the movement for independence.