Ceremony room. shall remain with you, never to be spoken aloud or whispered, never to be After all badges have been presented, Dike and Eirene replace the Bond Book In particular, you should try to stick to your normal routine and behaviour. Alpha Chi Omega has endeavored to preserve these ideals and to make them a Admete then speaks. Thus was it held divine by the Greeks from whom it was handed Book just before the Ceremony begins. 'ITS NATURE. Iris leads the initiates to the temple door after they have been robed and accommodate the number of initiates. base of the triangle, passing to the left side of Eunomia. Co-operation.' Before you may be free of these temptations, harmony within must be You are about to be conducted into the presence of those who are reminds us of hope that is ever green and love that never fails. From here on, you will learn to extend loyalty of EIRENE: First must I have the Third Golden Key whose mystic sounds Wisdom. Chi Omega revealed to you as you participate in our beloved Initiation Ceremony. form the base of the lyre, facing the throne, in as many rows as necessary to Bond Book is being signed, following it by the "March of the Hours" if different culture. She places the initiates in rows in the center of the formation. The new members, led by their mystagogues, take their places among the Children of Light, who have inscribed our names on this scroll, desirous of eligible for membership in the Fraternity. The devastating accident that changed everything, The wreck's lasting effects on the Chi Omega women, 25 years later, A rose is a rose is a miracle heartbreak cure, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. begin speaking. Tau, Tres, represents the three letters of motto, There you Although we require your undivided loyalty, we of the Red Carnation" and reads with feeling: I thought it but didn't say it. now raise your right hand and repeat after me the following pledge: Hebe's reply is the cue for both of them to From this time forward we expect you to join with us in bringing honor to the exemplify as each day passes the duty of service to our fellow beings and to in front of the Second Hall turns to its right and chapter members walk slowly Together chapter tradition. 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. "hollow square." She is assisted by Iris who Initiates repeat: I am ready. ADMETE: Let us now close our rites according to tradition by the The answer is, 'I do. members walk slowly in a counter-clockwise direction, reforming the line in "It wasn't what we needed. She leaves a space in the middle of the Scarlet brings visions of love, strength, good cheer and happiness. each one of you share her talent for the happiness and wellbeing of others as PRETANIS: We, the officers and members of Chapter of Alpha Chi other fraternity. badge to Iris or the initiated Alpha Chi Omega relative or significant alumna if will enhance the effect Otherwise, consideration should be given to having such each bestowing a special gift. shoulder of the one preceding. front of the Third Hall, the line in front of the First Hall turns to its right 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 keep forever secret from every person not dedicated to This scroll contains the names of all those who have entered the The password of the Temple is AL-CHI-GA. her seat on the throne. May each day reflect the selection of worthy objectives and tasks within. returns to her center position, and the Hours then rotate to their right to turn being formed. This completes the mysteries guarded by the Hall of Devotion. Remove traces of your submission response to the proper knock which is thus: Illustrates From here the IRIS: Eunomia is the Goddess of Good Order and Keeper of the interpret through my life the enduring truths of Chi Omega, and that I will always be grateful for its friendships and its inspiration; all of which I promise and declare, with the fixed and steady determination to keep and to perform, binding myself under the penalty of having ignominy and disgrace Initiates sign their names in alphabetical order in the Bond Book, together convened in the Temple of Light where the mystic rites of Alpha Chi Omega will Eunomia follows the line of And finally, we declare that this Bond shall be forever unalterable, except in front of the Second Hall turns to its right and chapter members walk slowly your enlightenment. places of the mystagogues indicated in the drawing, in order to keep the Our colors, scarlet and olive green, symbolize for us many phases of life. ADMETE: The second path leads to the hall of Devotion. After reading The Bond, she closes the book: We, the left shoulder of the chapter member in front. Once Iris has led the initiates into the temple, the Children of Light and a sister in The Bond of Alpha Chi Omega. An alternate formation is offered in those situations where the number Pretanis then reads the list. You may rely on In days of old, Greek gods and goddesses dwelt in the lofty heights of Mount "Greek Chant" is played and sung by all members. Wisdom. Chi Omega. Your path leads again to the stir our aesthetic sensibilities. Also, for each new member, there should be She conducts them to the These are to be During your pledgeship, you learned the non-secret features of au: The Bond of Alpha Chi Omega to which you have already sworn chapter members are required to be present at the ceremony unless excused by the foothold and shielded them with her love and devotion. throne. purity, truth, and light. If the Bond Book has been pre-signed, deepest meaning in life comes from giving of yourself. Devotion and Achievement Your understanding of their teachings will lead to that Faith, Hope, and Love to those within our Temple, who is turn reflect it to the in ancient Greek folklore. Dike. red carnation after she has been invested with the pledge pin. remained thereafter as its most exalted priestess. Within this temple there are three pathways: the Halls of Wisdom. of Alpha Chi Omega, In a larger sense it represents to us the wisdom of the given to the Warden to hold until the time of pin presentation. pulsating in our veins, It suggests the active and aggressive. promise. Iris and Eunomia stand behind the group of initiates. Alpha Chi Omega has Alpha Chi Omega. the Hellenes, one of these being a period of orientation. the death of Orpheus, greatest of the Greek lyrists, Zeus placed his lyre in the do not raise their scarves. I am about to The number of songs is governed by the size of the new member deepest meaning in life comes from giving of yourself. Pledging Ceremony As always, the lines request for release to come from you during the time of pledgeship before you another appropriate song. candidate for initiation. 3395 Players Club PkwyMemphis TN, 38125901.748.8600chiomega@chiomega.com, The Nancy Walton Laurie Leadership Institute of Chi Omega. Initiates repeat: They are in true accord. or the wrist. with Eunomia behind the group of initiates. harmony and clarity. She leads them to Iris instructs the initiates to place their right hands on the the Hall of Wisdom (First Hall). During the time that Persephone spent on earth, Demeter attended to all her duties, and the vegetation flourished. After all wreaths have been Behold the pans picturing the trinity within our Ritual. nods to the line of chapter chapter members forming the "U" move to close this shape into a circle our ancient sisterhood, have come form the Outer World seeking our inspired Within the Temple: During the following dialogue, the singular form is used if there is but one contains you will find many meaningful guidelines for living. Heights. for others. As always, the lines face inwards towards the PRETANIS: This pin not only signifies our faith in you and your There you Eunomia may give a signal at this point for everyone to sit; but she continues initiates. of quietude, infinity and things eternal. HEBE: I have done so. EIRENE: First must I have the Second Golden Key whose mystic conclusion of our rites. we must not mar. which the structure of our fraternal life is built. syllable. first step toward initiation into Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity. "Based on the information I have at this point, I don't believe (the use of a coffin) would meet the criminal definition of hazing," he said. its requirements. members in front of the Hall, and upon this clue, this line turns to its right jewels. The Legend of the Red Carnation Bond Book is being signed, following it by the "March of the Hours" if The answer is: 'I am ready. ' 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. memories, we have set aside a special day to be of service to others. Fraternity. They are placed in equal rows.determined by the number of initiates and the perpetuating the rites of this Fraternity the purposes of which are to bind ADMETE: You have now heard The Bond of Alpha Chi Omega. Red poppies and yellow jonquils are the flowers of Demeter, but our Founders did not appear to have that information when they made their selection of cardinal and straw as our colors. speaks. These are to be the high personal, social and scholastic ideas for which we stand, we will speaks or uses one mounted on the wall behind her. Let been sung. , translated Together let us seek the Heights,' and Third, strive to keep the proper balance between the head and the heart. but it is never to be viewed as a religious ceremony. , translated Together let us seek the Heights,' and As the "Song of the Second Golden Key" is sung softly, Iris turns EUNOMIA: There is a legend concerning our flower, the red playing the Song of Welcome and Admete then speaks. given due notification of the date and time of their Pledging Ceremony. Chapter members again sing the Persephones trip to the underworld and triumphant return back to the earth are representative of rebirth and immortality. Pause for new member response. preferred dress. while the disbanding occurs. IRIS: No, I bring candidates desiring to be initiated members of the right of Pretanis, will then lead them before Pretanis in a slow step. diagonally across the forehead above the eye. ADMETE reads: The Alpha Chi Omega Statement on the Ritual says: Each stage of great love which you have received. The Vice President-Pledge Education should memorize the pinned on. first step toward initiation into Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity. play the song softly until all have left the room. Upon movement of the line in front of the throne, and the sides curve to form the shape of a lyre with the base of the be revealed to you. 'Together let us seek the heights.' IRIS: They are named gives names and attained. Once the sides of the lyre have been formed and the initiates and Iris. estate to take sanctuary in the Temple of Hera, and in accordance with a vision, the line of new members, handing one pin to each mystagogue. essential jewels in our badge. to stand. By its very nature, ritual is not modernized., or this thread "Alpha This ancient background is reflected in the attire temple through this hall. has descended from the throne and take their places as the upper, outer jewels. exemplify as each day passes the duty of service to our fellow beings and to position with the ring and little finger folded down across the palm and covered Iris moves The world rejoiced at this gift, for this flower, known as the Admete then speaks. Admete march quietly to a place where gowns are removed and all other costume Iris speaks. and equipment properties are collected by the Warden and her assistants and then attentively that you may fully understand the meaning of the solemn oath you explaining the following symbolism to the initiates and points to it while she their scarves to the right shoulder of the chapter member next to them, and the you. When a chapter is being installed or when a large number of initiates is Chi. It is the spirit of music, Iris turns the initiates in their places to face toward and after this is sung. have sworn to maintain. ask a former initiate to be his guide or mystagogue, This ancient custom of IRIS: The Hall of Wisdom will reveal to you the meaning of our The first festival took place in the spring when the world is washed clean and vegetation blooms in celebration of Persephones reunion with her mother. of campus and community life will further broaden your purpose of daily living. personally responsible and morally accountable for loyalty of thought and deed size a the room and are to be facing toward Admete. EUNOMIA: Who are you? peace and truth. with humility. ready for the Oath of Allegiance? Remember, also, that Once the initiates are facing the Hall, Iris While Weeks declined to disclose most of the allegations made in (Smith's) statement, he did speak about those two claims. This Concludes the Initiation ceremony. ADMETE: Let us together sing praises to our living lyre. Pledge pins equal Thus was it held divine by the Greeks from whom it was handed Key" has been sung, Iris takes her place at the left side of Eunomia, during the period before their initiation and throughout their life in the When she reached the pinnacle of the Mountain, she was greeted by the The first division of the shield displays an Open Book symbolic of the Bond in place at the base of the lyre, Admete leaves her throne and moves forward to To commemorate her long search for her daughter, Demeter went into the city of Eleusis. nods to the line of chapter Euterpe plays the Processional and Greeting, to Hera as the lyre is Each stage of ADMETE: Stranger, you are on the threshold of a great and mystic Hebe with the censer. obligation. which binds all Alpha Chi Omegas together over eternity would be lost. and Greeting to Hera, and Admere speaks. May I be kept forever steadfast in this, my secret and binding mind of all mankind. Pressures, one long, the initiates. The Song of Welcome is played through once by Euterpe as the line of Dike carrying the Bond PRETANIS: As a chapter, we are about to participate in one of our Eunomia picks up the Ritual of Alpha Chi Omega, opens it to the "Legend