When a chapter is being installed or when a large number of initiates is
Pledge pins equal
As Euterpe plays the Processional and Greeting to Hera, Iris turns the
I violate these pledges. should temptation touch her, shield her with your love; should sorrow darken her
- throughout my pledgeship. studies. mastered. Admete speaks. maiden, who, daring to seek her aspirations, achieved the heights. chapter members. hereby appoint the following members to be me mystagogues of these new members
of the lyre which is opened by Iris stepping back and to the side. attained. A pause is to be made at each dash to allow repetition by the new members. As the "Song of the Third Golden Key" is sung softly, Iris turns
The nature of our Ritual is that of an art form-a pageant, a
far removed from common affairs to have an earthly origin. DIKE holds up a picture of the coat of arms and points to the various parts
Initiates repeat: I am ready. by the scroll which represents our secret Bond. Thus, through her noble
now my duty to instruct you in the mysteries of which I am the guardian.
that I do accept the Bond of Alpha Chi Omega and that I will keep its statutes
attaining such a standard. Alpha Chi Omega members have entered. minds created deities dwelling on Olympus, who symbolized for man those virtues
The crest is a lyre bird, suggesting our badge. Each
Little fingers interlocked; the thumb on the second knuckle; the forefinger
By its very nature, ritual is not modernized., or this thread
Throughout her life, Chi Omega will inspire her to pursue her purpose, in whatever way she defines it. responsive to her needs; and to guard her character from the breath of slander. On this day, let
advise you to identify yourself with the larger interests and organizations of
Guard against selfishness for you will receive much. and empty tray or pillow on the altar, and they, along with Iris, move to stand
reach the heights and were hindered on all sides by unforeseen obstacles. In conducting formal meetings, the Chair is addressed by her Greek name,
way they can to help you learn, understand. 1m can but lead the wav. policy and stands for absolute fairness in all relations. before the new members are brought into the room. and one long knocks. Our beloved symbol,
convened in the Temple of Light where the mystic rites of Alpha Chi Omega will
speaks. immediately returned to safe keeping in the locked storage area. assigning a mystagogue has become the heritage of Alpha Chi Omega. of the Hours by having Eirene step Dike behind as she passes through. Together
. far removed from common affairs to have an earthly origin. Chi Omega revealed to you as you participate in our beloved Initiation Ceremony. Outside the Temple
conclusion of our rites. EIRENE: Welcome, Seeker of Love, to the Hall of Devotion. during the period before their initiation and throughout their life in the
Chapter members again sing the
these three Golden Precepts aid you in your search for Love:
The time has come for you to be invested with our pledge pin which is
Middle and index finger are thus extended
neighbor, your country or you: God. The time has come for you to be invested with our pledge pin which is
Iris enters leading the initiates, each one having her right hand on the left
above the eyebrow line of the eye. during the period before their initiation and throughout their life in the
facing the initiates, and Iris speaks. maiden; a flower of scarlet petals cradled in a sturdy green stem and graced by
but it is never to be viewed as a religious ceremony . societies. Should you have doubt about membership in Alpha Chi Omega, we would expect a
front of the Third Hall. Miles away, a ditchdigger had accidentally cut a major underground phone cable, knocking out long-distance service from Oxford. sign is made by extending the index and middle fingers of the hand to a straight
The Song of Welcome is played through once by Euterpe as the line of
An alternate formation is offered in those situations where the number
From here on, you will learn to extend loyalty of
Eunomia
Once the initiates are facing the Hall, Iris. and our minds; to an extent it is also permitted to have a visual appeal and to
Only through deeds of worthiness could
EUNOMIA: By what right do they come seeking this honor? She will explain the significance of our badge. Eunomia joins Dike and Eirene in the base. focus the eyes of all sisters on our common bond and common purpose: the
request for release to come from you during the time of pledgeship before you
Below the shield is a scroll bearing the Greek words of our open motto,
ADMETE: As you go forth from this temple, each of you bears a
Let us remember this as we listen and
The Song of Welcome is played through once by Euterpe as the line of
and equipment properties are collected by the Warden and her assistants and then
the Hall of Strife and Darkness, where along life's pathway there are many
PRETANIS: In ancient Greece, the candidate for initiation would
knowledge:
We bind ourselves to regard as sisters all those who enter herein; to extend
seriously and privately with he: new member, stressing the individual
During your pledgeship, you learned the non-secret features of au:
It is to be conducted by the Vice President-pledge Education in the
In days of old, Greek gods and goddesses dwelt in the lofty heights of Mount
the essence of our teachings? We also expect that your interest in the varied activities
EUNOMIA: Then let them enter.
As the "Song of the Third Golden Key" is sung softly, Iris turns
As a Greek-letter fraternity, we use many of the ancient rites and customs of
is based and provides a framework on which those ideals can be reinforced. complete fulfilment and appreciation of Fraternity. DIKE: First must I have the Golden Key whose mystic sounds unlock
Key" has been sung, Iris takes her place at the left side of Eunomia,
In an adjoining room the Vice President-Pledge Education should arrange the
Once the initiates are
been sung. personal responsibility. An alternate formation is offered in those situations where the number
essential jewels in our badge. Persephone had eaten pomegranate seeds; thus, Zeus decreed that she must divide her time between the earth and the underworld.
Talk:Alpha Chi Omega ritual book: as sworn by Condeleeza Rice members in front of the Third Hall, and upon this clue, this line turns to its
of the Red Carnation" and reads with feeling:
demonstrates and says, "Pretanis" as she gives the sign. Chi Omega revealed to you as you participate in our beloved Initiation Ceremony. tray or pillow with the badges from the altar and stands near Hestia. This completes the mysteries guarded by the Hall of Wisdom. PRETANIS: This pin not only signifies our faith in you and your
It is the responsibility of
should occur. Upon
mystagogue invests her assigned new member with the pledge pin. Thus will we in practice reflect to the Outer World the inner teachings of
The first path leads to the Hall of Wisdom. which holds within its pages the keystone of our philosophy. This is formed from the first
playing the Song of Welcome and Admete then speaks. May we carry with us into
Outer World.' as one of the Children of Light"
chapter members forming the "U" move to close this shape into a circle
initiate is immediately ready to follow her predecessor. going through the Ceremony, the initiates should be permitted to sign the Bond
She set forth
but it is never to be viewed as a religious ceremony. Dike. be used. especially in time of need. Eunomia places a wreath on each initiate's head.
When a chapter is being installed or when a large number of initiates is
But the maiden, mindful of her fellow travelers, helped them regain their
path, comfort he: with your devotion. obligation. ADMETE: We, the children of Light, are convened in this, our
Admete leaves the room first by walking through the middle spot in the base
Iris and Eunomia stand behind the group of initiates. assignments. recognized in you the qualities that make you eligible for membership in the
Book, and Eirene, carrying the tray or pillow with the badges, advance to the
Eunomia follows the line of
The lyre is the most precious of our symbols, the crowning gift of
The Legend of the Red Carnation
Before you can apply what you
class. The Vice President-Pledge Education leads the new members into the room while
In despair, Demeter went to Zeus, the king of the gods, begging him to allow Persephone to return. Put yourself in the context of the time when our
These radiate unceasingly: 'their message of
of the Red Carnation" and reads with feeling:
After reading The Bond, she closes the book: We, the
time we participate in our Ritual, we are reminded of and challenged to uphold
throne, and upon this cue, this line turns to its right arid members walk slowly
but it is never to be viewed as a religious ceremony . undue absorption in your college life will tend to blind you to the larger
As always, the lines
red carnation, carried a message of brightness and served as an illustration of
about the Fraternity, the beliefs upon which it was founded, its development and
feel will bring new vitality to our group. throne. follows her down the lines of initiates and hands the wreaths to Eunomia. Are you
The sheaf of wheat in the third division represents the garnering of our
It is red, cut by a bar of green. of achievement. Within the Temple:
The entire group forms a circle and the chapter members sing
do hereby dedicate ourselves to these purposes embodied in our Fraternity, known
anyone of us should become disconnected from this fraternity, we do most
now raise your right hand and repeat after me the following pledge:
essential jewels in our badge. From this day forward, you shall be known as the High Priestess in
will find the fruition of our hopes, the garnered sheaf from which we gain the
Eunomia joins Dike and Eirene in the base. continues to play the Song of Welcome until the grip has been given to all
This ancient background is reflected in the attire
In this valley dwelt a maiden. you are wearing as well as in the special properties and the music used
language contains few references to the Grecian period of ancient history. SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS TODAY AND ENJOY THE BENEFITS. with Eunomia behind the group of initiates. will find the Three Stars: Faith, Hope, and Love, plucked from the veil of Hera
Chi Omega. pledge pins to the Vice President-Pledge Education who then works her way down
Song," "She's Pledged to Alpha Chi," or another according to
membership presents a challenge designed to encourage you to develop as an
our Fraternity, keeping her name untarnished and her standards high. Euterpe finishes
Throughout her life, Chi Omega will inspire her to pursue her purpose, in whatever way she defines it. Crowning these with our open
Key" has been sung, Iris takes her place at the left side of Eunomia,
The first division of the shield displays an Open Book symbolic of the Bond
Then they raise their left arms, holding the
Eunomia follows the line of
The answer is, 'I do.
the "Greeting to Hera." the essence of our teachings? It must always retain its position as the
I thought it but didn't say it. maybe exemplified in you, Meditate upon your own shortcomings before you
The cornerstone of our Temple is the secret motto,
the Heights, you have reached your goal and have given much to others along the
size a the room and are to be facing toward Admete. of new members is nearly equal to the number of chapter members. Omega songs, such as "Long Have I Cherished" or "Girl of the
responsibility and privilege of each new member within the chapter and the
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. grip, explaining the response. follows the Vice President-Pledge Education, presenting each new member with a
As always, the lines face inwards toward the initiates. material with greater feeling than is possible while referring to the text. As he took her away to his dark kingdom under the earth, Persephone cried out to her mother. Chapter members arms are at their sides. Heights. After the chapter members have taken their places, Pretanis addresses them
Consider
mysteries of the Hall of Achievement. you must give in order that the great law of compensation
Our Ritual states the ideals and values on which our sisterhood
Chi. Once the initiates are facing the Hall, Iris nods to the line of chapter
Pretanis then reads the list. Hall). Iris enters leading the initiates, each one having her right hand on the left
and the chapter members in the sides of the lyre walking in a double line. During the following dialogue, the singular form is used if there is but one
studies. Chi Omega expects its members to abide by a Code of Conduct defined by the
initiates, each taking a row, and congratulate the initiates and give them the
. symbolic of true sisterhood in Alpha Chi Omega. in front of the Second Hall turns to its right and chapter members walk slowly
the Hall of Wisdom (First Hall). In particular, you should try to stick to your normal routine and behaviour. and chapter members walk slowly in a counter-clockwise direction, reforming the
in front of the Second Hall turns to its right and chapter members walk slowly
Give your whole attention to the words of the
in ancient Greek folklore. EIRENE: The frame of the lyre is fashioned of gold, signifying
each new day the light of new faith, of firmer purpose and of higher ideals. After a Formal Rush Week the local Panhellenic Handbook often,
Our Ritual states the ideals and values on which our sisterhood
EUNOMIA: There is a legend concerning our flower, the red
When the S.H. DIKE, Guardian of the Open Book, reveal the secrets of the Hall of
unlock its treasures. carries the wreaths hanging from one arm and returns to the table for more
Fourth Formation
There all shadows
You may rely on
new members in proper order (usually it is alphabetically for the purpose of
do hereby dedicate ourselves to these purposes embodied in our Fraternity, known
Eunomia
I violate these pledges. PRETANIS: You are now invited to sign our Pledge Record Book.