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{{GalaxyPortal}}{{EcclesiarchyPortal}}'''Ophelia VII''' is the oldest of Cardinal worlds, second in sanctity only to [[Terra]] itself.  ==Planetary Summary=={{cite}}

Ophelia VII is the site of the [[Holy Synod|Synod Ministra]] and the [[Adepta Sororitas]]' [[Convent Prioris]]. The world is given over entirely to the worship of the [[Emperor]]. Its surface is covered in mile-high cathedrals and bell towers, linked by avenues lined with the statues of thousands of [[Imperial SaintsSaint]]s. Dungeons plunge deep into the bowels of the world, where heretics [[heretic]]s are made to repent their sins, subject to such methods of soul-cleansing as ''[[Arco-flagellation]]'', ''death-masking'', ''soul-scouring'' and the ''Trial of Castigation''.^{{Fn|1}}

Ophelia VII was the centre of the [[Adeptus Ministorum]] from the time of [[Ecclesiarch]] [[Benedin IV]] to [[Greigor XI]] and is still one of the main centres of Ministorum power to this day, second only to Terra. It is located far from its sister planet of Terra, in the [[galactic ]] south^.{{Fn|1.}}

Ophelia VII was the [[diocese]] of Benedin IV as a [[Cardinal]] before his ascent to the position of Ecclesiarch and is said to have been the wealthiest planet after [[Terra]] and [[Mars]]. This made it an ideal world to host the Adeptus Ministorum when Terra became too much of a confining force.{{Cite This}}

Benedin IV moved the entirety of the Adeptus Ministorum to Ophelia VII and built vast cathedrals over 90,000 square miles of land and 4,000 metres into the sky. Only the [[Imperial Palace]] on Terra dominated them. The reason Ophelia VII was chosen to host the Adeptus Ministorum was because of three factors, : Benedin IV's connections with the world, its vast wealth , and the distance it placed between the [[High Lords of Terra ]] and the general governance of the Adeptus Ministorum. It allowed them to raise vast tithes [[tithe]]s to replenish and invigorate the Ministorum's funds, and encouraged competition between Cardinals on other worlds to build the biggest and most impressive cathedrals and monuments to the worship of the Emperor. Cults which posed a threat to the Ministorum were rooted out and destroyed by zealous Cardinals, Preachers and Confessors throughout the Imperium and the Ministorum's control grew rapidly.{{Cite This}}

Almost three hundred years after their arrival, [[Greigor XI ]] decided it was time that the Adeptus Ministorum returned to Terra. It took twelve years and a good deal of the Adeptus Ministorum's funds, however the doors to the [[Ecclesiarchal Palace|Ecclesiarchal palace]]s on Terra were opened again and refurbished. Ophelia VII would no longer be the centre of the region of the Imperium, however it would still be one of their most holy sites.{{Cite This}}

[[Goge Vandire]] rose to power as head of both the Ministorum and [[Administratum]], gaining almost absolute power in the Imperium as no other institution could rival the might of the two united powers. Vandire brought his iron fist down on the Cardinals of the Ministorum and eventually his enemies decided it was time to escape; they chose Ophelia VII as their destination; however their ship never left the warp.{{Cite This}}

After the fall of Vandire, [[Sebastian Thor]] was elected (some would say forcefully) to Ecclesiarch. He initiated a series of reforms and created the Synod Ministra on Ophelia VII. It was to act as a secondary governing body far from Terra. It would disseminate the laws and actions of the Holy Synod on Terra but also provide a defence against other forces, or even a single Ecclesiarch, attempting to gain control of the Ministorum. Also, the Astra Ministra, administrators of the Ministorum functionaries aboard ships of the Imperium is based on Ophelia VII and makes up the Synod Ministra.{{Cite This}}

The [[Sisters of Battle]], founded during the reign of Vandire, are split between Terra and Ophelia VII, so that way no one person can gain control of the whole organisation. There are extensive facilities for the Sisters on both planets, but each Order has a home on both worlds if need be. Two of the most famous Sisters are said to come from Ophelia VII, Saint [[Praxedes]] and [[Helenathe Virtuous]] the Virtuous.{{Cite This}}

*The planet's name was ''Ophelia 4'' or ''Ophelia IV'' in 40k's original background.^{{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|3, 4}}}

*^{{Endn|1}}: [[Warhammer 40,000 4th Edition Rulebook]], {{Cite This}}*^{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex Imperialis]] (1993), {{Cite This}}*{{Endn|3}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]] (1987), {{Cite This}}===Uncited==={{Uncited}}*[[Codex: Sisters of Battle (2nd Edition)]], {{Cite This}}*³[[Codex ImperialisCategory:Cardinal Worlds]], 1993*⁴[[Warhammer 40,000Category: Rogue TraderSegmentum Tempestus]], 1987