The learned brothers
ABRAHAM (Martiana) has bishop’s particular confidence, and serves the visible church with the greatest fervor, sometimes to the neglect of the invisible church’s interests.
CLEMENT (Emily) is mild-mannered, at times exasperated with his brethren’s foibles, but nevertheless very fond of Nicodemus and Stephen.
NICODEMUS (Nassira) is the youngest son of an aristocratic family, offered (by their choice) as a teenage oblate to a nearby order. He still maintains the dignity of a nobleman.
PELAGIUS (Leric) may yet arrive to join the others.
STEPHEN (Jacob) is charitable towards others, but overly concerned with his own failings. Some time ago, he went to Rome to advance his ecclesiastical career, contracted malaria, and convalesced in the palazzo of Cardinal del Monte, where he saw Michelangelo Caravaggio’s Bacchus.
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Locals
JOHN the priest has not yet made an appearance, but it is clear he is derelict in his duties.
The Domina MARCELLA is a local noblewoman. She all buts flaunts her idolatrous error.
JOSEPH the publican is a solicitous man, eager to please the learned churchmen.
CONRAD is a farmworker and occasional carpenter. He is too much given to drink.
FREDERIC is Joseph’s young relative and does odd jobs for him.