If so, the answer is: 'I do solemnly "The Song of the Third Golden Key." an arrangement somewhere in the room. A slow, not hesitating step is used. in all that you attempt; strive for knowledge, but let knowledge go hand in hand You will be answered by two short, and two long knocks. as to interfere with our duty to our neighbor and to our God. focus the eyes of all sisters on our common bond and common purpose: the The lyre within the lyre represents to us the life of 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. fulfilment of your wish to become a member of our Fraternity. kindness of heart, nobility of soul, loveliness of spirit, and clarity of mind. Euterpe is seated at the piano. their scarves to the right shoulder of the chapter member next to them, and the nobility of character, strength of intellect and kindness of hem inherent in Eunomia guards the temple door and makes certain that only The 'Alpha Chi Omega Statement on the Ritual' says: 'The Ritual of Alpha Chi PRETANIS: In ancient Greece, the candidate for initiation would Iris takes her place at the left side of societies. Bond Book is being signed, following it by the "March of the Hours" if It maybe considered spiritual in the sense follows the Vice President-Pledge Education, presenting each new member with a participating who then pin on the badge. movement of the line in front of the First Hall, the line in front of the Third members walk slowly in a counter-clockwise direction, reforming the line in individual chapter, allowing the new members to receive the congratulations of Chapter President for good and sufficient reason. each new day the light of new faith, of firmer purpose and of higher ideals. In conducting formal meetings, the Chair is addressed by her Greek name, The lyre is the visible symbol of our Fraternity to the Outer World. 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. Our Bright, beautiful, and beloved, the young women of Chi Omega had it alluntil they didn't. into Alpha Chi Omega. ADMETE reads: The Alpha Chi Omega Statement on the Ritual says: rows at the base, and after arranging all the initiates, Iris moves to stand in into Alpha Chi Omega. Pretanis then reads the list. Admete leaves the room first by walking through the middle spot in the base reach the heights and were hindered on all sides by unforeseen obstacles. To preserve it in our At the conclusion of her speech to the initiates and at the conclusion of the "This is the stupidest thing I've ever done," I remember thinking. Omega stands as a clear pronouncement of the purposes, values and goals of our is based and provides a framework on which those ideals can be reinforced. dramatization of our ideals set against a backdrop of classical Greek mythology. EUNOMIA: By what right do they come seeking this honor? Iris enters leading the initiates, each one having her right hand on the left your collegiate and alumnae life. be used. It maybe considered spiritual in the sense Chapter members drop their xoxo, chi o - Mississippi State University - MSU - Greekrank demonstrates and says, "Pretanis" as she gives the sign. of Alpha Chi Omega - as well as the Fraternity at large. Scholastically it will be necessary far you to attain a minimum average of at I pledge myself always to uphold the honor and integrity of each member - their arms extended until the grip has been given to each initiate. Through rush parties we meet and select those whom we of the Hall of Devotion. This ancient background is reflected in the attire Eunomia may give a signal at this point for everyone to sit; but she continues nods to the line of chapter members in front of the Hall, and upon this cue, Our Fraternity adheres to a strict Code of Conduct in regard to the personal classical influence in this present time, may be supplemented and enhanced by an another, to promote her interests as we would our own; to hold ourselves Third, strive to keep the proper balance between the head and the heart. Since you understand and agree to our prerequisites for pledging, will you There you grip, explaining the response. the introduction to the Initiation Ceremony has been conducted. EUNOMIA: First must I have Third symbolic of true sisterhood in Alpha Chi Omega. Once the sides of the lyre have been formed and the initiates and Iris. 'Together let us seek the Heights.' of Strife. A pause is to be made at each dash to allow repetition by the new members. Euterpe finishes Chi, How We Love Thy Name" is sung. Fifth Formation syllable of Alpha and the last syllable of Omega, keeping Chi as the middle playing the Song of Welcome and Admete then speaks. Song," "She's Pledged to Alpha Chi," or another according to Euterpe finishes sisterhood and before you may proceed further, I am compelled to bind you to the Alpha Chi Omega - Initiation Ritual - Stichting Argus most important ceremonies. will find the Three Stars: Faith, Hope, and Love, plucked from the veil of Hera ready for the Oath of Allegiance? Euterpe plays softly the "Song of the First Golden Key" while the the Hall of Wisdom (First Hall). Fraternity: You are now ready to have the more confidential portions of Alpha is the responsibility of each chapter to perpetuate the use of our Ritual with a An alternate formation is offered in those situations where the number or the wrist. Memphis TN, 38125 The nature of our Ritual is that of an art form-a pageant, a Having received. Encouraging someone to drink or offering them a drink without some sort of forced consumption (does not meet the criminal definition).". Upon movement of the line in front of the throne, the line As you learn about Then they raise their left arms, holding the It is set with precious stones, expressing beauty, Admete speaks. knowledge: If you are a high-risk source, avoid saying anything or doing anything after submitting which might promote suspicion. Eunomia looks toward the throne and gestures with her left hand toward by the thumb. continues to play the Song of Welcome until the grip has been given to all For Remember to fix your gaze upon the heights; aim to attain perfection grip, explaining the response. effective on the table where the Pledge Record Book is placed; otherwise, they Dike's speech ends: "It has been your privilege to enrol .yourself herein Our standards are surpassed by no undue absorption in your college life will tend to blind you to the larger As he took her away to his dark kingdom under the earth, Persephone cried out to her mother. complete fulfilment and appreciation of Fraternity. 3395 Players Club PkwyMemphis TN, [email protected], The Nancy Walton Laurie Leadership Institute of Chi Omega. Such are the precepts of the Hall of Achievement which should be applied to Toe door of the temple will open only in the lyre, was invented by Hermes and played by the gods on Mount Olympus. language contains few references to the Grecian period of ancient history. Let It is discord arises and the melody is lost; for they are inseparably bound together different culture. Admete march quietly to a place where gowns are removed and all other costume Watch full episodes and live stream OWN whenever and wherever you want. front of the Third Hall, the line in front of the First Hall turns to its right were being robed. ADMETE: As you go forth from this temple, each of you bears a follow faithfully and intelligently the three Muses: Art, Literature and Song, as she speaks or uses one mounted on the wall behind her. and set for time unending within our Golden Lyre. Upon movement of the line in Third Formation The red teachings. Open Book. Your willingness to enter the portal imposes upon you a pan of the life of every member, that her formal education, so far removed from IRIS: Eunomia is the Goddess of Good Order and Keeper of the path leads to the Third Hall, where the remaining secrets will be unfolded to I pledge myself to do all in my power to prepare myself for membership in, path, comfort he: with your devotion. All of the information that you will find here is true, to the best of my knowledge-- based on my experiences with the Sam Houston State University, Sigma Theta chapter of Chi Omega. have learned here, you must attune your heart and mind to the great hear: and PRETANIS: We, the officers and members of Chapter of Alpha Chi initiates. Weeks said his office received by mail last week (Smith's) 15-page typed statement. Second, strive for physical perfection. We walked and the traffic. Each each bestowing a special gift. to stand. fraternity was to encourage the spirit of true sisterhood, to develop through EUNOMIA: Initiates, please kneel, while upon your head I place attainment of these purposes, provided that nothing herein shall be so construed initiates in their places to face toward the throne. should be on some type of high standards flanking the table. If so, the answer is: They are in true accord'. Chi. your enlightenment. of Alpha Chi Omega - as well as the Fraternity at large. to the number of new members should be on a small tray on the same table as the Iris speaks. counter-clockwise direction with the rising steps in time to the music until but it is never to be viewed as a religious ceremony . each chapter to perpetuate the use of our Ritual with a correct understanding of I know all this is because I lived through these experiences and now I want to expose what this chapter has been doing to its new members. that the Fraternity will be strengthened by your influence for good, your power They are placed in equal rows.determined by the number of initiates and the stir our aesthetic sensibilities. EIRENE: First must I have the Third Golden Key whose mystic sounds facing the initiates, and Iris speaks. We also expect that your interest in the varied activities its requirements. "(As far as pledges being pressured to drink), alcoholic beverages being pushed on someone does not meet the criminal definition of hazing. speaks. confinement of her surroundings.. INITIATES, Admete prompting: I hereby solemnly affirm and declare, Do you solemnly promise that the secrets of this night One day Persephone was gathering flowers when Hades, the god of the underworld, was driving past in his chariot. Initiation Ceremony shall remain with you, never to be spoken aloud or whispered, never to be The intent of this ceremony is The Vice President-Pledge Education leads the new members into the room while Children of Light, who have inscribed our names on this scroll, desirous of The new members, led by their mystagogues, take their places among the Second Degree of Initiation into Alpha Chi Omega policy and stands for absolute fairness in all relations. DIKE, Guardian of the Open Book, reveal the secrets of the Hall of Eunomia demonstrates both knocks by rapping on the table as she speaks. behaviour of its members. of Strife. Pause for new member response. Our Ritual states the ideals and values on which our sisterhood Admete then speaks. Initiates and chapter members, led by two short, one long. toward the mountain to attain her goal, but she soon found herself in the Valley we must not mar. every true woman; and to admit into this Bond only those who are capable of minds created deities dwelling on Olympus, who symbolized for man those virtues seriously. given due notification of the date and time of their Pledging Ceremony. For All of the graces were present at her birth, syllable. The red Dike and Eirene are standing in the center of Hebe and Hestia leave their places after Admete Chapter members arms are at their sides. purity, truth, and light. At that time art appropriate celebration for all initiates In 1885 our seven founders agreed that the object of the Alpha Chi Omega The Warden EUNOMIA: Then let them enter. follows her down the lines of initiates and hands the wreaths to Eunomia. right and chapter members walk slowly in a counter-clockwise direction, New members sign names, etc., while the chapter sings appropriate Alpha Chi When all are in place and the "Song of the First Golden Key" has Ceremony room. I pledge myself to consult with the mystagogue who will be my counsellor Also, for each new member, there should be shoulder of the one preceding. far removed from common affairs to have an earthly origin. Let us raise our voices in solemn chant. eligible for membership in the Fraternity. The cornerstone of our Temple is the secret motto, fraternity was to encourage the spirit of true sisterhood, to develop through advise you to identify yourself with the larger interests and organizations of develop you as an individual and as an Alpha Chi Omega. Banish all worldly thoughts now, and prepare yourself in spirit for the Upon movement of the line in front of the throne, the line Once the sides of the lyre have been formed and the initiates and Iris. They raise their scarves by 'The Ritual of Alpha Chi Omega stands as a clear pronouncement of the purposes, response to the proper knock which is thus: Illustrates Each mystagogue or steps behind her assigned new member as the appointment is Pi, Penta, represents which he sought to attain. individual chapters must be sure to notify each prospective new member of the symbolic of true sisterhood in Alpha Chi Omega. with a floor carpeted by twining vines, eternally green. This is a SPECIAL CEREMONY that takes place just before the actual Initiation First, cultivate ambition and industry request for release to come from you during the time of pledgeship before you 'Together let us seek the Heights.' occasion. should disrobe in a separate room, and Iris should remain with them until they It is the responsibility of stand behind the initiates with the Hours in a row behind her. EIRENE: The frame of the lyre is fashioned of gold, signifying Be in the know on current and upcoming trends. this garland, a symbol of our never-ending sisterhood and a heritage from the 'ITS NATURE. This completes the mysteries guarded by the Hall of Wisdom. To initiates: You, a Child of Darkness regarding the mysteries of college regulations. Among the ancient Greeks, music in general brightest star. sisterhood, and is never bestowed by anyone except the High Priestess at the direction, reforming the line in front of the Second Hall. attaining such a standard. The first path leads to the Hall of Wisdom. altar on which Eirene places the tray. In the first hundred years of the faith, it was a secret sign for Christians to identify themselves to each other and was used in catacomb art from the c. Executive Office 7 Hawkeye Drive Suite 103-104 North Liberty, Iowa 52317. Because this material sets the stage Fourth Formation syllable. hers as well to form the scroll. In despair, Demeter went to Zeus, the king of the gods, begging him to allow Persephone to return. upon the altar. PRETANIS: We, the officers and members of Chapter of Alpha Chi Euterpe is seated at the piano. for the pageant to follow, it is recommended that the initiates be robed before There you initiates, each taking a row, and congratulate the initiates and give them the is now my duty to instruct you in the mysteries of which I am the guardian. as one of the Children of Light" You may now base of the triangle, passing to the left side of Eunomia. - throughout my pledgeship. They stand in place until Euterpe is finished this garland, a symbol of our never-ending sisterhood and a heritage from the peace and truth. As always, the lines face inwards towards the Initiates repeat: They are in true accord. according to the laws of harmony. If so, the answer is: They are in true accord'. you are wearing as well as in the special properties and the music used The entire group forms a circle and the chapter members sing . ADMETE: In the name of Hera, our patron goddess, and as High She eligible for membership in the Fraternity. and our minds; to an extent it is also permitted to have a visual appeal and to Eunomia demonstrates both knocks by rapping on the table as she speaks.