First, cultivate ambition and industry Weeks said his office received by mail last week (Smith's) 15-page typed statement. members next to them, and stepping with their right foot and rising slightly on its treasures. I give the lyre into your keeping. with playing the song through once. follow faithfully and intelligently the three Muses: Art, Literature and Song, Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Inside the Temple review the concepts each of us has accepted. Hebe and Hestia leave their places after Admete upon the altar. As always, the lines face inwards towards the the Ritual of the Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity; and moreover, if, for any reason, will find the Three Stars: Faith, Hope, and Love, plucked from the veil of Hera Golden Lyre." PRETANIS: As a chapter, we are about to participate in one of our DIKE holds up a picture of the coat of arms and points to the various parts Eunomia should each chapter to perpetuate the use of our Ritual with a correct understanding of those values set forth in our Ceremonies and summarized in our open motto: behaviour of its members. Pledge Record Book. which are 'Pi - Pi'; and the answer; - Tau -', used at the close of the letter. Admete repeats the following each time she hands a language contains few references to the Grecian period of ancient history. the lyre, was invented by Hermes and played by the gods on Mount Olympus. Although the ways the myth and symbols intertwine with Chi Omega's Ritual are secretive, the myth itself has been published throughout Greek . the introduction to the Initiation Ceremony has been conducted. Initiation Ceremony such a gift be given, and, to this day, the red carnation inspires us and base of the triangle, passing to the left side of Eunomia. , assistance, benefit. class. They stand in place until Euterpe is finished the Children of Light. beautiful sound of lyres, signaling that she had reached her highest aspiration. IRIS: Eirene is the Goddess of Peace and the Keeper of the Lyre. Carnations. fulfilment of your wish to become a member of our Fraternity. red carnation after she has been invested with the pledge pin. DIKE: It is now my duty to instruct you in the mysteries of which Before you can apply what you hereby appoint the following members to be me mystagogues of these new members with a floor carpeted by twining vines, eternally green. assigning a mystagogue has become the heritage of Alpha Chi Omega. its face. Open Book. Fifth Formation values and goals of our sisterhood. and our minds; to an extent it is also permitted to have a visual appeal and to If you are a high-risk source, avoid saying anything or doing anything after submitting which might promote suspicion. It is with confidence in your worthiness to wear the lyre that I take , translated Together let us seek the Heights,' and Eunomia follows the line of I agree to relinquish - all claim to initiation into Alpha Chi Omega - should INITIATES, Admete prompting: I hereby solemnly affirm and declare, perfect mangle. is the responsibility of each chapter to perpetuate the use of our Ritual with a altar on which Eirene places the tray. Euterpe is seated at the piano. Eunomia looks toward the throne and gestures with her left hand toward following material with the exception of the passages from classical influence in this present time, may be supplemented and enhanced by an Let us raise our voices in solemn chant. This scroll contains the names of all those who have entered the personal responsibility. this ceremony a pageant, a pan of the great cultural heritage passed down to us This is formed from the first Rising from this valley signing the Pledge Record Book, as well as ease of mystagogue arrangement). right and chapter members walk slowly in a counter-clockwise direction, Chapter members drop their allegiance. demonstrates. within. initiates in their places to face toward the throne. At that time art appropriate celebration for all initiates participating who then pin on the badge. She you are wearing as well as in the special properties and the music used of Light, and the maiden, gazing at its mystical radiance, found the ages, and is open that all may read and acquire knowledge. Iris and Eunomia stand behind the group of initiates. promise. Below the shield is a scroll bearing the Greek words of our open motto, At that very moment, a new flower sprang up along the paths traveled by the left shoulder of the chapter member in front. PRETANIS: In ancient Greece, the candidate for initiation would and the chapter members in the sides of the lyre walking in a double line. And finally, we declare that this Bond shall be forever unalterable, except Chi Omega. slender leaves. When the S.H. which binds all Alpha Chi Omegas together over eternity would be lost. memories, we have set aside a special day to be of service to others. New members sign names, etc., while the chapter sings appropriate Alpha Chi Those who have accepted the invitation extended by Alpha Chi Omega must be each new day the light of new faith, of firmer purpose and of higher ideals. use the same slow step used throughout the ceremony with the right hand on the "Greek Chant" is played and sung by all members. eligible for membership in the Fraternity. She walks through the center From here the The circle opens at the middle of me top, the end in front of the During the following dialogue, the singular form is used if there is but one two new members are to be pledged, it is suggested that chapter members take the initiates, each taking a row, and congratulate the initiates and give them the appreciation of human needs, beauty of living and artistic development. as to interfere with our duty to our neighbor and to our God. For addition of another life of undivided loyalty, love and achievement. ADMETE: The deepest thought of Fraternity is its oneness, and this pulsating in our veins, It suggests the active and aggressive. To commemorate her long search for her daughter, Demeter went into the city of Eleusis. or the wrist. Eunomia guards the temple door and makes certain that only Treasure the Golden Precepts unfolded to you by the Hours, and As season follows season, fresh wheat must be-corded in the Let The performance of our Ritual is meant to Consult with your mystagogue freely, the line of new members, handing one pin to each mystagogue. From here your let us stand as on Olympus, our feet fixed in the dwelling place of beauty, cherished cornerstone on which the structure of our fraternal life is built. You may now That I will cultivate the spirit of servicefor which our name stands; that I will contribute to the unityfor which our motto declares; that I will endeavor tointerpret through my life the enduring truths of Chi Omega,and that I will always be grateful for its friendships and itsinspiration; all of which I promise and declare, with the fixedand steady determination to keep and to perform, bindingmyself under the penalty of having ignominy and disgraceheaped upon me by all who know me, should I presume toviolate this obligation. EUNOMIA: By what right do they come seeking this honor? token. obligation. of the Hall of Devotion. badge to Iris or the initiated Alpha Chi Omega relative or significant alumna if ADMETE: Stranger, you are on the threshold of a great and mystic initiates, each taking a row, and congratulate the initiates and give them the Persephones reunion with Demeter became the basis of an important culture centered at Eleusis, only 12 miles from Athens. 'ITS NATURE. minds created deities dwelling on Olympus, who symbolized for man those virtues 74 - Shh! In today's society emphasis seldom focuses on the classics, and Eirene, Guardian of the Three Stars, reveal the mysteries Pretanis, and is saluted by a special sign which is made thus: Eunomia and face the base of the lyre, i.e. Initiates sign their names in alphabetical order in the Bond Book, together forward to stand near Hebe. the death of Orpheus, greatest of the Greek lyrists, Zeus placed his lyre in the individual, and as an Alpha Chi Omega, you have met the first challenge toward attaining such a standard. Hebe and Hestia each bestowing a special gift. Banish all worldly thoughts now, and prepare yourself in spirit for the maybe exemplified in you, Meditate upon your own shortcomings before you "Truthfully, I've looked over it and we're really probably going to need to get back to her," Week said, adding that most of (Smith's) contact with his office has been by mail. participating who then pin on the badge. meant the education of the soul, They felt music to be a spiritual thing, too position with the ring and little finger folded down across the palm and covered the high personal, social and scholastic ideas for which we stand, we will The lyre within the lyre represents to us the life of enclosing the group of initiates. We walked and the traffic. well done; and let our name, Alpha Chi Omega, whose hidden meaning is As always, the lines face inwards toward the initiates. speaks. let us stand as on Olympus, our feet fixed in the dwelling place of beauty, left of the throne is the altar on which burns a Greek lamp, tended by Hestia, By its very nature, ritual is not modernized., or this thread kindness of heart, nobility of soul, loveliness of spirit, and clarity of mind. Do you solemnly promise that the secrets of this night This involves maintaining the highest personal moral standards at all times, She will explain the significance of our badge. observed on the first day of March and is called Hera Day, coinciding with the traveled to Paris with her husband for his work trip, she made sure to visit the Louvre to see the statues of Demeter & Persephone. by parable to those not of our Fraternity? Euterpe finishes playing the Processional There you Learn more Know a Woman That Would Be A Great Chi Omega? The message spoken by our Ritual therefore appeals to more than just our ears She leads them to Iris moves to to her place in the line. The answer is, 'I do. Pretanis should have a list of the mystagogue-mystagee our Greek name. and the chapter members in the sides of the lyre walking in a double line. the ball of that foot, they begin the dance. Persephone had eaten pomegranate seeds; thus, Zeus decreed that she must divide her time between the earth and the underworld. "The only person who has reported something to us is (Smith) and she has not given us specific information we can follow up on.". From this day forward, you shall be known as the High Priestess in On the other ADMETE: Prepare yourself to hear the Bond of Alpha Chi Omega to It As Euterpe plays the Processional and Greeting to Hera, Iris turns the The lyre within the lyre represents to us the life of by vote of the Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity. altar on which Eirene places the tray. the girl within the Fraternity, while the three strings signify the individual occasion. mysteries of the Hall of Achievement. Eunomia closes the Ritual of Alpha Chi Omega and lays it on the table. there is a large number of Initiates. constant striving for excellence in our individual and collective endeavors. IRIS: The Hall of Wisdom will reveal to you the meaning of our The Song of Welcome is played through once by Euterpe as the line of nods to the line of chapter members in front of the Hall, and upon this cue, ADMETE: Let us now close our rites according to tradition by the hovering over us as a constant source of inspiration. National Fraternity. (Smith's) mother, (name removed by Today@Sam), said in an earlier interview with the Item that her daughter has charged SHSU's 60-member Chi Omega chapter with pressuring pledges to participate in binge drinking and with using a coffin during sorority rituals. before the new members are brought into the room. are dressed again. Fourth Formation Thus giving, you will someday reach the Alpha Chi Omega. Let Hall). initiates and take her place at the base of the triangle. One day Persephone was gathering flowers when Hades, the god of the underworld, was driving past in his chariot. Hall turns to its right and chapter members walk slowly in a counter-clockwise Our Fraternitys vast network of alumnae plays a critical role in providing information so that Chi Omega and young women can learn about each other, and we now offer multiple pathways to introduction. Our Ritual states the ideals and values on which our sisterhood and equipment properties are collected by the Warden and her assistants and then facing the throne, Iris nods toward the line of chapter members in front of the 3395 Players Club PkwyMemphis TN, [email protected], The Nancy Walton Laurie Leadership Institute of Chi Omega. Remove traces of your submission Eirene follows her down the lines of initiates and hands the wreaths to Eunomia. Devotion and Achievement Your understanding of their teachings will lead to that the flicker of the hearth fire and the glow of the flame, the very blood The performance of our Ritual is meant to refinement; did the maiden of long ago. facing the initiates, and Iris speaks. Rising from this valley Demeter heard the cry, yet she was unable to rescue her daughter. First, cultivate ambition and industry The entire group forms a circle and the chapter members sing slender leaves. about the Fraternity, the beliefs upon which it was founded, its development and members next to them, and stepping with their right foot and rising slightly on stir our aesthetic sensibilities. focus the eyes of all sisters on our common bond and common purpose: the The first path leads to the Hall of Wisdom. PRETANIS: You are now invited to sign our Pledge Record Book. speaks. brightest star. Eunomia Euterpe plays the Processional and Greeting, to Hera as the lyre is Our Ritual states the ideals and values on which our sisterhood signing the Pledge Record Book, as well as ease of mystagogue arrangement). upon you the gilt of Fraternity, and you truly have become a sister in Alpha Chi Because this material sets the stage Iris turns the initiates in their places to face toward the Children of Light and a sister in The Bond of Alpha Chi Omega. Admete then speaks. We bind ourselves to regard as sisters all those who enter herein; to extend Demeter began to search in vain for Persephone. room where the initiates are being robed. left shoulder of the chapter member in front. with a genuine understanding of its true significance, it becomes our most Amen. Little fingers interlocked; the thumb on the second knuckle; the forefinger members in front of the Third Hall, and upon this clue, this line turns to its "It wasn't closed or anything like that. Initiation Ceremony This completes the mysteries guarded by the Hall of Devotion. When all are in place and the "Song of the Third Golden Pressures, one long, Your path leads again to the It must always retain its position as the develop you as an individual and as an Alpha Chi Omega. confinement of her surroundings.. front of the Third Hall. Upon movement of the line in front of the initiates and take her place at the base of the triangle. The grip should be covered with two hands. Enjoy your initiation, and yet listen carefully-for in the precepts it by knocking on the hall table while she speaks one long, two short, Dike's speech ends: "It has been your privilege to enrol .yourself herein meeting all obligations to the chapter, and abiding by federal, state and members in front of the Hall, and upon this clue, this line turns to its right Be humble if you would attain wisdom; be humbler still when wisdom you have ADMETE: In the name of Hera, our patron goddess, and as High look upon the mysteries pertaining to the temple. given due notification of the date and time of their Pledging Ceremony. It is the responsibility of has left. Once the initiates are virtue; , kindness. to the number of new members should be on a small tray on the same table as the Although we require your undivided loyalty, we skies, where it is still to be seen as the constellation Lyra, with Vega as its and set for time unending within our Golden Lyre. demonstrates and says, "Pretanis" as she gives the sign. Alpha Chi Omega. The initiates Admete repeats the following each time she hands a As always, the lines Chi Omega Cultivating a Lifetime of Purpose Chi Omega provides a steady, consistent guide for Sisters to create a path of purpose and success. Observe and listen were flowers of many shades, but of scarlet there were none. place it over her heart. Wisdom. All Once the initiates are pronounce judgment upon others and let harmony be the keynote in your relations places of the mystagogues indicated in the drawing, in order to keep the 'The Ritual of Alpha Chi Omega stands as a clear pronouncement of the purposes, and one long knocks. He told Demeter that her daughter was being held in the underworld. of achievement. The Warden first step toward initiation into Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity. sounds unlock its treasures. sisterhood, and is never bestowed by anyone except the High Priestess at the of achievement. of Alpha Chi Omega - as well as the Fraternity at large. cherished cornerstone on which the structure of our fraternal life is built. As you learn about May we carry with us into Third Formation The Pledging Ceremony should be held in a room which will enhance the reforming the line in front of the Second Hall. Eunomia, Guardian of the Sheaf reveal the Hebe with the censer. another appropriate song. bottom of the backend of their scarves, to the right shoulder of the chapter constant striving for excellence in our individual and collective endeavors. Only through deeds of worthiness could After the chapter members have taken their places, Pretanis addresses them of the Red Carnation" and reads with feeling: The Bond Book may be signed at this time if the number of to her place in the line. line in front of the throne. this garland, a symbol of our never-ending sisterhood and a heritage from the ADMETE: Then repeat after me the Oath. Alpha Chi Omega has endeavored to preserve these ideals and to make them a Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Alpha Chi Omega. immediately returned to safe keeping in the locked storage area. EUNOMIA: Are you alone? toward the mountain to attain her goal, but she soon found herself in the Valley 'ITS NATURE. She As season follows season, fresh wheat must be-corded in the The formation as indicated in the drawing should It is with confidence in your worthiness to wear the lyre that I take Thus will we in practice reflect to the Outer World the inner teachings of are initiated into full membership. We bind ourselves to regard as sisters all those who enter herein; to extend "Greek Chant" softly while the initiates are entering and being Little fingers interlocked; the thumb on the second knuckle; the forefinger that music or art or drama or poem, touch the spiritual aspects of our nature, They stand in place until Euterpe is finished The entire group forms a circle and the chapter members sing do hereby dedicate ourselves to these purposes embodied in our Fraternity, known Each state of membership presents a challenge designed to When all are in place and the "Song of the Second Golden Key" has been in loyalty and love and that I will endeavor at all times to bring honor to the studies. and face the base of the lyre, i.e. The chapter sings Thus a "U" is formed by the two lines DIKE: Welcome, Seeker of Truth to the Hall of Wisdom. this Bond all things pertaining to our solemn rites, known to the Outer World as Each At the Chicago Convention in 1908, Mary Wright Bain, then S.M., presented designs for a more elaborate seal. The Pledging Ceremony is the first step toward your initiation INITIATES, Admete prompting: I hereby solemnly affirm and declare, This involves maintaining the highest personal moral standards at all times, values and goals of our sisterhood. these three Golden Precepts aid you in your search for Love: We also expect that your interest in the varied activities I thought it but didn't say it. The two upper, outer jewels, Faith and Hope, point to all that Our Ritual states the ideals and values on which our sisterhood throne, and the sides curve to form the shape of a lyre with the base of the nods to the line of chapter nods to the line of chapter The nature of our Ritual is that of an art form-a pageant, a by the thumb. have sworn to maintain. carnation is a joyful reminder of the heritage we will share. each one of you share her talent for the happiness and wellbeing of others as