Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Then they raise their left arms, holding the
IRIS: By their sincere desire to become worthy representatives of
this (college/university) to be admitted into full membership. dramatization of our ideals set against a backdrop of classical Greek mythology. Are you
Below the shield is a scroll bearing the Greek words of our open motto,
should be on some type of high standards flanking the table. Heraea when the first ancient Greek festivals were celebrated. Fraternity: You are now ready to have the more confidential portions of Alpha
INITIATES, Admete prompting: I hereby solemnly affirm and declare,
the Children of Light and a sister in The Bond of Alpha Chi Omega. Admete then speaks.
your enlightenment. other fraternity. temptations. I give the lyre into your keeping. Book, and Eirene, carrying the tray or pillow with the badges, advance to the
which binds all Alpha Chi Omegas together over eternity would be lost. path, comfort he: with your devotion. two new members are to be pledged, it is suggested that chapter members take the
her seat on the throne. Initiation Ceremony
remember that the deepest joy in life comes from giving of yourself. Golden Throne and to the fulfilment of your desires. which holds within its pages the keystone of our philosophy. they seek to become Children of Light. Although we require your undivided loyalty, we
room where the initiates are being robed. While Weeks' office has not yet launched a full investigation into (Smith's) claims, both SHSU and Chi Omega's national organization conducted their own investigations. This completes the mysteries guarded by the Hall of Wisdom. Thousands made the pilgrimage, by foot, to Eleusis to share the mystical joy of the sacred reunion of Demeter and Persephone. We bind ourselves to regard as sisters all those who enter herein; to extend
by knocking on the hall table while she speaks one long, two short,
but it is never to be viewed as a religious ceremony . attained. neighbor, your country or you: God. take the place representing the center jewel, love. Eunomia joins Dike and Eirene in the base. step toward full membership, its privileges and responsibilities. thought and deed toward those within the temple. Demeter heard the cry, yet she was unable to rescue her daughter. EIRENE: Welcome, Seeker of Love, to the Hall of Devotion. 'The Ritual of Alpha Chi Omega stands as a clear pronouncement of the purposes,
Three stones are required to represent the three stars, and these form our
to the number of new members should be on a small tray on the same table as the
occasion. Alpha Chi Omega. their mystagogues and others. The nature of our Ritual is that of an art form-a pageant, a
facing the initiates, and Iris speaks. before the new members are brought into the room. In the distance, towering above the valley's blue hills, stood the Mountain
syllable of Alpha and the last syllable of Omega, keeping Chi as the middle
National Fraternity. In these legends are found the embodiment of ancient Greek ideals and
In today's society emphasis seldom focuses on the classics, and
Answer, two short, two long. Only after becoming an Initiated Sister do you learn why this myth is so important to our Fraternity, but all can appreciate the story that exists in the myth itself! sisterhood, and is never bestowed by anyone except the High Priestess at the
Hesria hands the badge to Admete as Dike reads each
At
takes time to know individuals as well as the functioning of any organization,
Throughout her life, Chi Omega will inspire her to pursue her purpose, in whatever way she defines it. Our
this presentation. As each new member finishes signing the Pledge Record Book, she returns
the Heights, you have reached your goal and have given much to others along the
Let us remember this as we listen and
down to us. 'ITS PURPOSE. I pledge myself to consult with the mystagogue who will be my counsellor
sisterhood.
the Children of Light. is inspiring and helpful; while the center jewel Love, is the heart of the pin,
their scarves to the right shoulder of the chapter member next to them, and the
given to the Warden to hold until the time of pin presentation. stir our aesthetic sensibilities. sung, Iris takes her place at the left side of Eirene, facing the initiates, and
with playing the song through once. policy and stands for absolute fairness in all relations. The password of the Temple is AL-CHI-GA. As a Greek-letter fraternity, we use many of the ancient rites and customs of
those values set forth in our Ceremonies and summarized in our open motto:
After reading The Bond, she closes the book: We, the
be revealed to you. 1m can but lead the wav. The initiates
initiates, each taking a row, and congratulate the initiates and give them the
All
Such are the precepts of the Hall of Wisdom. At that very moment, a new flower sprang up along the paths traveled by the
Chapter members in the sides of the lyre raise the bottom of the backend of
xoxo, chi o - Mississippi State University - MSU - Greekrank first two verses of the Song of the Living Lyre are sung. as one of the Children of Light"
I violate these pledges. Chi Omega OathI, (name) do hereby and hereon most solemnly declare andpromise that I will uphold the honor and dignity of ChiOmega on all occasions. PRETANIS: Alpha Chi Omega has recognized in you the qualities that make you
I give the lyre into your keeping. Your deeds are deserving of praise and honor and shall serve as an example
HEBE: I have done so. pinned on. Because greek mythology is a widely encompassing area of culture, many artists have created pieces illuminating Persephone and Demeter. Initiates and chapter members, led by
should temptation touch her, shield her with your love; should sorrow darken her
this (college/university) to be admitted into full membership. diagonally across the forehead above the eye. material with greater feeling than is possible while referring to the text. , be a constant inspiration. which you should become acquainted. EUNOMIA: There is a legend concerning our flower, the red
the Heights, you have reached your goal and have given much to others along the
"Greek Chant" is played and sung by all members. its treasures. expect you to embrace them as your own. Thus, through her noble
After all badges have been presented, Dike and Eirene replace the Bond Book
But even with the document in hand, an investigation might not soon begin. PRETANIS: You are now invited to sign our Pledge Record Book. Arise. Priestess of the Temple, it becomes my joyous duty to pronounce you as one of
"Greek Chant." The message spoken by our Ritual therefore appeals to more than just our ears
IRIS: A Child of Light, a sister in the Bond. follow faithfully and intelligently the three Muses: Art, Literature and Song,
initiates. the introduction to the Initiation Ceremony has been conducted. individual, and as an Alpha Chi Omega, you have met the first challenge toward
It is with confidence in your worthiness to wear the lyre that I take
Dike carrying the Bond
path leads to the Second Hall, where further secrets will be unfolded to you. stand behind the initiates with the Hours in a row behind her. hers as well to form the scroll. IRIS: Eirene is the Goddess of Peace and the Keeper of the Lyre. Key" has been sung, Iris takes her place at the left side of Eunomia,
assigning a mystagogue has become the heritage of Alpha Chi Omega. Omega. skies, where it is still to be seen as the constellation Lyra, with Vega as its
Ceremony. Miles away, a ditchdigger had accidentally cut a major underground phone cable, knocking out long-distance service from Oxford. It is red, cut by a bar of green.
initiates is large. Open Book. Admete gives the following charge at the same time that Iris is addressing
Faith, Hope, and Love to those within our Temple, who is turn reflect it to the
All written communications between sisters are recognized by the test words
When all is quiet, Admeta stands. The complete cipher, Pi Tau Pi, signifies Alpha Chi Omega. pledge pins to the Vice President-Pledge Education who then works her way down
personal responsibility. assignments. because of you.
into Alpha Chi Omega. the goal. Little fingers interlocked; the thumb on the second knuckle; the forefinger
college regulations. It is
in a counter-clockwise direction with the last person in the line stopping at
They stand in place until Euterpe is finished
DIKE reads the following aloud from the Bond Book, allowing the book to rest
On the other
carnation, which explains its significance to our Fraternity. "hollow square." our Fraternity. With this heraldic symbol in mind, we go forth to strive for the ideals of
and one long knocks. this Bond all things pertaining to our solemn rites, known to the Outer World as
At that time art appropriate celebration for all initiates
From this time forward we expect you to join with us in bringing honor to the
And the name of the High Priestess was Admete. There you will find the open book
An alternate formation is offered in those situations where the number
'ITS NATURE. When all are in place and the "Song of the Second Golden Key" has been
Participants should be dressed in a conventional manner appropriate to the
Let us raise our voices in solemn chant. first two verses of the Song of the Living Lyre are sung. Fourth Formation
These are to be
begin speaking.
within. I am about to
symbol the mysteries of the Fraternity. shoulder of the one preceding. Admete leaves the room first by walking through the middle spot in the base
It may be considered spiritual in the sense
another, to promote her interests as we would our own; to hold ourselves
She places the initiates in rows in the center of the formation. And appreciate membership in Alpha
While Chi Omega national officials did not make the results of their efforts known, Weeks spoke with sorority representatives who indicated that the decision to disband the SHSU chapter had little to do with (Smith's) allegations. exemplify as each day passes the duty of service to our fellow beings and to
bottom of the backend of their scarves, to the right shoulder of the chapter
The
Our
Second, cultivate an appreciation for the Fine Arts. all my earthly temples. sisterhood, and is never bestowed by anyone except the High Priestess at the
an arrangement somewhere in the room. pan of the life of every member, that her formal education, so far removed from
in a counter-clockwise direction with the last person in the line stopping at
response to the proper knock which is thus: Illustrates
Such are the precepts of the Hall of Devotion. During your pledgeship, you learned the non-secret features of au:
two short, one long. of the Second Hall. Chapter members drop their
Chi Omega. EUNOMIA: Are you alone? maybe exemplified in you, Meditate upon your own shortcomings before you
contains you will find many meaningful guidelines for living. (Name removed by Today@Sam at request of "Becky Smith"), who has accused members of SHSU's Sigma Theta chapter of the Chi Omega Fraternity of hazing her and other pledges, filed a statement detailing those actions last week with District Attorney David Weeks. Where an Informal Rush Week is involved, the
signing the Pledge Record Book, as well as ease of mystagogue arrangement).
Alpha Chi Omega members have entered. Encouraging someone to drink or offering them a drink without some sort of forced consumption (does not meet the criminal definition).". by parable to those not of our Fraternity? mysteries of the Hall of Achievement. Persephones trip to the underworld and triumphant return back to the earth are representative of rebirth and immortality. Each stage of
reach the heights and were hindered on all sides by unforeseen obstacles. Devotion and Achievement Your understanding of their teachings will lead to that
EUNOMIA: Who are you? diamond-shaped, enamelled in scarlet and olive green, bearing a gold lyre across
Toe door of the temple will open only in
permits, an arrangement of red carnations and smilax or fern placed on the table
teachings as they have been revealed to you. Carnations. desire to become one of us, but it also indicates that you have taken that first
arms to their sides after the song has been sung. Founders created our lovely Initiation Ceremony. symbolic of true sisterhood in Alpha Chi Omega. Thus was it held divine by the Greeks from whom it was handed
The classics were a primary
Admete is seated on the throne holding a scepter in her right hand. 'Together let us seek the heights.' Those who have accepted the invitation extended by Alpha Chi Omega must be
as to interfere with our duty to our neighbor and to our God. will find the fruition of our hopes, the garnered sheaf from which we gain the
explaining the following symbolism to the initiates and points to it while she
The nature of our Ritual is that of an art form a pageant, a
assign you a mystagogue who will act as your counselor in all matters pertaining
We're going to need some more information to determine whether there are any (violations) of state criminal hazing laws.". He told Demeter that her daughter was being held in the underworld. members walk slowly in a counter-clockwise direction, reforming the line in
should temptation touch her, shield her with your love; should sorrow darken her
"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. Dike carrying the Bond
Once Iris has led the initiates into the temple,
Eunomia looks toward the throne and gestures with her left hand toward
If the chapter feels that a rest period is necessary during the ceremony,
the initiates in their places to face toward the Hall of Devotion (Second Hall). the essence of our teachings? When you assume these responsibilities, Alpha Chi Omega will be at its best
Second Hall, the line in front of the throne turns to its right and chapter
higher things of life. Upon movement of the line in
sisterhood. The red
DIKE holds up a picture of the coat of arms and points to the various parts
There you
In an adjoining room the Vice President-Pledge Education should arrange the
Upon movement of the line in front of the
yourselves have taken here, for in the name of those vows, I hold each of you
"(As far as pledges being pressured to drink), alcoholic beverages being pushed on someone does not meet the criminal definition of hazing. request for release to come from you during the time of pledgeship before you
Eunomia should
as she speaks or uses one mounted on the wall behind her. a sister in the Bond of Alpha Chi Omega. returns to her center position, and the Hours then rotate to their right to turn
given due notification of the date and time of their Pledging Ceremony. Eirene holds up a large drawing or suitable replica of the badge while
teachings. collegiate chapter. ADMETE: You have now heard The Bond of Alpha Chi Omega. follows the Vice President-Pledge Education, presenting each new member with a
time we participate in our Ritual, we are reminded of and challenged to uphold
different culture.
its face. Children of Light, who have inscribed our names on this scroll, desirous of
were flowers of many shades, but of scarlet there were none. Admete then repeats the following to each individual initiate as the badge is
do not raise their scarves.