Theogamia Ritual
by Timotheos
This is a ritual celebrating the sacred marriage of Zeus and Hera. It is best to look upon this ritual as a kind of anniversary.)
PREPARATION:
A bowl of water and a hand cloth should be placed away from the altar for the participants to purify themselves. A bowl of khernips is already sitting next to the Icon of Apollo.
Procession:
The participants process to the altar after washing their hands thoroughly, carrying the offerings. When the altar is reached, the sacred candle of Hestia is lit, while reciting the following hymn:
Hestia, you who tend the sacred dwelling
Of the far-shooting Lord, Apollon, at holy Pytho,
From your tresses flowing oil ever drips down.
Come to this house! Come in gentle spirit
With resourceful Zeus and grant grace to my song!
(Homeric Hymn #24)
Purification:
The priest dips the sacred knife into the khernips and sprinkles it around the altar while reciting:
Ekas, Ekas! este bebeloi!
Oh Great Lord Apollon the Purifier! Let your waters cleanse
And consecrate this sacred space, making it pure and free
Of all the profane!
Statement of Purpose:
I come now before the Gods
To sing praises to them and to be merry
To be thankful for the gifts they have brought me
And to honor them with joy, prayers and libations!
(Kyrene Ariadne Rural Dionisia 2003)
Hymnodia:
I shall Sing of Zeus, the best and the greatest of Gods,
Far-seeing, mighty, fulfiller of designs who confides
His tight-knit schemes to Themis as she sits leaning upon him.
Have mercy, far seeing Kronides, most glorious and great!
(Homeric Hymn # 23)
Of golden-throned Hera I sing, born of Rhea,
Queen of the Gods, unexcelled in beauty,
Sister and glorious wife of loud-thundering Zeus.
All the Gods on lofty Olympos reverence Her
And honor Her together with Zeus who delights in thunder.
Prayers:
Gracious Hera, wife to the Thundering Zeus,
You who have shown nothing but faithfulness to thy mate,
And are angered by those who would defile your sacred union;
You, the Blessed Queen of the Gods.
I herby come to this blessed shrine to honor your sacred vows,
To pay my respects to what this union means.
Gracious Hera, bless me with a lover and mate that is as faithful as you.
Let him honor our union as you honor yours.
Blessed Hera, I give thee thanks and honor!
Thundering Zeus, husband to the Golden-throned Hera;
You, who are the King of the Gods and the Supreme Counselor,
You who are the Great Judge and Upholder of that which is most Holy.
I come to you now, wishing nothing but the greatest blessings
Upon your union. I ask that you bless me with a lover and mate
As faithful as your own. One who understands and supports me
As I will support them through all of their trials.
Oh Great Zeus, I give thee thanks and honor!
o makar genoito! Let it be thus!
Thusia:
Priest unsheathes the sacred knife and points to the offerings.
Immortal One,
I bring you gifts!
See these things!
And Partake of them through my use of them!
Participants eat of the food. Or if other offerings, it is placed close to or on the sacred Icon of the Gods, Goddesses, and alike.
Libations:
Priest fills the libation cup with the libation water. Drinks half and then pours the rest into the main offering bowl. He/she does this six times, speaking the following things in order for each one.
With you, Lady Hestia, I share the first!
With you, Immortal ones of Olympos, I share the second!
With you, Lord Apollon and Lord Hermes, My patrons, I share the third!
With you, Immortal ones of Gaia, I share the fourth!
With you, Loving Ancestors and those who have departed, I share the fifth!
With you, Lady Hestia, first and last, I share the last!
Closing:
Holy Immortals, My Rite has ended. If it be your will, I shall come again
To your altars, bearing offerings, and singing hymns of praise and
Thanksgiving!
Khairete! I rejoice!
Copyright © 2007, Timotheos