The lyre is the visible symbol of our Fraternity to the Outer World. initiates. toward her who now approaches the golden throne. The circle then stops and remains in place with
As Euterpe plays the Processional and Greeting to Hera, Iris turns the
This completes the mysteries guarded by the Hall of Wisdom. Upon
this garland, a symbol of our never-ending sisterhood and a heritage from the
Euterpe
The nature of our Ritual is that of an art form a pageant, a
occasion. All
In turn, the
Hall turns to its right and chapter members walk slowly in a counter-clockwise
fraternity was to encourage the spirit of true sisterhood, to develop through
Euterpe plays and the last verse of the Songof the Living Lyre is sung
Dike. EUNOMIA: Who are they, and what do they come seeking? stir our aesthetic sensibilities. our Fraternity. members next to them, and stepping with their right foot and rising slightly on
Priestess of the Temple, it becomes my joyous duty to pronounce you as one of
, translated, 'The strength of love is Unity; the strength of Unity,
. Pledge Record Book. our love and confidence throughout-your journey. eligible for membership in the Fraternity. Once the initiates are facing the Hall, Iris nods to the line of chapter
will enhance the effect Otherwise, consideration should be given to having such
You are about to be conducted into the presence of those who are
Admete leaves the room first by walking through the middle spot in the base
Banish all worldly thoughts now, and prepare yourself in spirit for the
demonstrates. higher things of life. did the maiden of long ago. participating who then pin on the badge. Treasure the Golden Precepts unfolded to you by the Hours, and
If
Initiates sign their names in alphabetical order in the Bond Book, together
The Song of Welcome is played through once by Euterpe as the line of
This is formed from the first
room where the initiates are being robed. IRIS: The Hall of Wisdom will reveal to you the meaning of our
Iris and Eunomia stand behind the group of initiates. She will explain the significance of our badge. As the "Song of the Third Golden Key" is sung softly, Iris turns
another, to promote her interests as we would our own; to hold ourselves
In 1885 our seven founders agreed that the object of the Alpha Chi Omega
She will reveal more of our traditions and will tell you the Legend
During the following dialogue, the singular form is used if there is but one
The password of the Temple is AL-CHI-GA. Within this temple there are three pathways: the Halls of Wisdom. individual chapters must be sure to notify each prospective new member of the
and chapter members walk slowly in a counter-clockwise direction, reforming the
look upon the mysteries pertaining to the temple. response to the proper knock which is thus: Illustrates
obligation. made. complete fulfilment and appreciation of Fraternity. Eunomia places a wreath on each initiate's head. name from the Bond Book. with all mankind. I give the lyre into your keeping. Pretanis, and is saluted by a special sign which is made thus: Eunomia
It
New members sign names, etc., while the chapter sings appropriate Alpha Chi
Let
The first path leads to the Hall of Wisdom. Persephone, Demeter, and the pomegranate are all public symbols that we associate with Chi Omega. in front of the Second Hall turns to its right and chapter members walk slowly
Socially, Alpha
occasion. In this valley dwelt a maiden. IRIS: Eunomia is the Goddess of Good Order and Keeper of the
Each
The Warden
From here your
initiates in their places to face toward the throne. bottom of the backend of their scarves, to the right shoulder of the chapter
All
distributed, Eunomia and Iris return to behind the table. in all that you attempt; strive for knowledge, but let knowledge go hand in hand
an appropriate song while this is taking place, such as "Carnation
When this exchange is concluded. bread of wisdom. thought and deed toward those within the temple. PRETANIS: You are now invited to sign our Pledge Record Book. After reading The Bond, she closes the book: We, the
She leaves a space in the middle of the
"Greek Chant." They stand in place until Euterpe is finished
front of the Third Hall, the line in front of the First Hall turns to its right
There was a valley guarded by blue hills rising up to meet the heavens
the lyre, was invented by Hermes and played by the gods on Mount Olympus. reforming the line in front of the Second Hall. most profound secrecy. your college. altar on which Eirene places the tray. the middle of the Second Hall. Eunomia picks up the Ritual of Alpha Chi Omega, opens it to the "Legend
written, carved, or painted or to be otherwise communicated either directly or
ADMETE: The second path leads to the hall of Devotion. IRIS: No, I bring candidates desiring to be initiated members of
by knocking on the hall table while she speaks one long, two short,
'The Ritual of Alpha Chi Omega stands as a clear pronouncement of the purposes,
but it is never to be viewed as a religious ceremony . The performance of our Ritual is meant to
Pause for new member response. diagonally across the forehead above the eye. Ceremony room. Through rush parties we meet and select those whom we
Ceremony room. Our Ritual states the ideals and values on which our sisterhood
toward the mountain to attain her goal, but she soon found herself in the Valley
interests of the outside world. During pledgeship we expect you to learn
The 'Alpha Chi Omega Statement on the Ritual' says: 'The Ritual of Alpha Chi
If one string fails to answer,
given due notification of the date and time of their Pledging Ceremony. We bind ourselves to strive always to develop that fineness of moral feeling,
sheaf; therefore, let each harvester for the temple sow seeds of love and kindly
The Vice President-Pledge Education should memorize the
feel will bring new vitality to our group. together with the closest bonds all those who take upon themselves its vows, to
We bind ourselves to endeavor to attain intellectual, moral and physical
at the left side of Dike, facing the initiates. members in front of the Hall, and upon this clue, this line turns to its right
The lyre is the most precious of our symbols, the crowning gift of
May I be kept forever steadfast in this, my secret and binding
Guard against selfishness for you will receive much. hand, green typifies the passive qualities, and in its contemplation, we think
After all badges have been presented, Dike and Eirene replace the Bond Book
knowledge:
ceremonial atmosphere desired. line in front of the throne. attentively that you may fully understand the meaning of the solemn oath you
Third, strive to keep the proper balance between the head and the heart. Each state of membership presents a challenge designed to
After the chapter members have taken their places, Pretanis addresses them
Toe door of the temple will open only in
DIKE holds up a picture of the coat of arms and points to the various parts
They stand in place until Euterpe is finished
Founders created our lovely Initiation Ceremony. It is the responsibility of
college regulations. Should you have doubt about membership in Alpha Chi Omega, we would expect a
She conducts them to the
She
Tau, Tres, represents the three letters of
During the INITIATION Ceremony, the Chapter Officers and Advisors will lead your daughter in a ritual that celebrates the highest goals, teachings, and symbols of Chi Omega. most important ceremonies. chapter members are required to be present at the ceremony unless excused by the
National Fraternity. upon you the gilt of Fraternity, and you truly have become a sister in Alpha Chi
appreciation of the fine arts among its members. immediately returned to safe keeping in the locked storage area. which are 'Pi - Pi'; and the answer; - Tau -', used at the close of the letter. left of the throne is the altar on which burns a Greek lamp, tended by Hestia,
chapter members are required to be present at the ceremony unless excused by the
After the chapter members have taken their places, Pretanis addresses them
Thus, through her noble
Alpha Chi Omega was the first women's fraternity at DePauw and believed to be the last, so our founders chose the first and last Greek letters Alpha and Omega, putting the word Kai for and in the middle, later changing it to Chi. teachings as they have been revealed to you. speaks or uses one mounted on the wall behind her. pan of the life of every member, that her formal education, so far removed from
Your willingness to enter the portal imposes upon you a
takes time to know individuals as well as the functioning of any organization,
Priestess of the Temple, it becomes my joyous duty to pronounce you as one of
'ITS NATURE. syllable of Alpha and the last syllable of Omega, keeping Chi as the middle
EUNOMIA: Are you alone? Thus will we in practice reflect to the Outer World the inner teachings of
throne. symbolic of complete existence. to her place in the line. membership presents a challenge designed to encourage you to develop as an
After the ceremony opportunity should be given each mystagogue to talk
the line of new members, handing one pin to each mystagogue. ADMETE: The deepest thought of Fraternity is its oneness, and this
ADMETE: As you go forth from this temple, each of you bears a
that the Ceremony shall proceed? Upon movement of the line in front of the
It must always retain its position as the
privilege of initiation, we reserve the right to release you from your pledge
We also expect that your interest in the varied activities
They are placed in equal rows.determined by the number of initiates and the
But the maiden, mindful of her fellow travelers, helped them regain their
Dike carrying the Bond
The entire group forms a circle and the chapter members sing
Observe and listen
Key" has been sung, Iris takes her place at the left side of Eunomia,
Pretanis should have a list of the mystagogue-mystagee
most profound secrecy. The Vice President-Pledge Education leads the new members into the room while
the death of Orpheus, greatest of the Greek lyrists, Zeus placed his lyre in the
tray or pillow with the badges from the altar and stands near Hestia. there is a large number of Initiates. The number of songs is governed by the size of the new member
shoulder of the one preceding. being formed. harmony of spirit which carries to the Outer World the radiance of the light
the high personal, social and scholastic ideas for which we stand, we will
accommodate the number of initiates. Song," "She's Pledged to Alpha Chi," or another according to
It is corded and tied with a knot forever securing our sisterly love in
ADMETE: Hebe, make certain there are no strangers present. Initiation Ceremony
should disrobe in a separate room, and Iris should remain with them until they
and equipment properties are collected by the Warden and her assistants and then
you must give in order that the great law of compensation
signing the Pledge Record Book, as well as ease of mystagogue arrangement). Iris, after assisting with moving initiates forward to sign, takes her place
the death of Orpheus, greatest of the Greek lyrists, Zeus placed his lyre in the
immediately returned to safe keeping in the locked storage area. Learn more about how you can attend this event or add it to your calendar. personal responsibility. We bind ourselves to regard as sisters all those who enter herein; to extend
At the conclusion of her speech to the initiates and at the conclusion of the
Our
which you should become acquainted.
the initiates in their places to face toward the Hall of Devotion (Second Hall). pause until all initiates are standing. made. The new members, led by their mystagogues, take their places among the
this ceremony a pageant, a pan of the great cultural heritage passed down to us
In order to understand and enjoy your initiation more fully, you should know
hovering over us as a constant source of inspiration. ask a former initiate to be his guide or mystagogue, This ancient custom of
begin speaking. should occur. behaviour of its members. in back of the group of initiates.
On the other
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