In days of old, Greek gods and goddesses dwelt in the lofty heights of Mount
Pledge Record Book. Thus, through her noble
In days of old, Greek gods and goddesses dwelt in the lofty heights of Mount
The lyre is the visible symbol of our Fraternity to the Outer World. Each state of membership presents a challenge designed to
The Bond Book may be signed at this time if the number of
'Together let us seek the heights.' harmony and immortality. Iris leads the initiates to the temple door after they have been robed and
DIKE: Alpha Chi Omega has adopted a coat of arms embodying in
Iris enters leading the initiates, each one having her right hand on the left
Miles away, a ditchdigger had accidentally cut a major underground phone cable, knocking out long-distance service from Oxford. Pledging Ceremony
Pause for new member response. ADMETE: The third path leads to the Hall of Achievement. We bind ourselves to endeavor to attain intellectual, moral and physical
explaining the following symbolism to the initiates and points to it while she
Euterpe is seated at the piano. She set forth
EIRENE: Welcome, Seeker of Love, to the Hall of Devotion. left shoulder of the chapter member in front. way. ADMETE reads: The Alpha Chi Omega Statement on the Ritual says:
and Greeting to Hera, and Admere speaks. Euterpe plays and the last verse of the Songof the Living Lyre is sung
Song," "She's Pledged to Alpha Chi," or another according to
It is
two new members are to be pledged, it is suggested that chapter members take the
He saw the girl and heard her joyous laughter and felt he must take her back with him. of the Red Carnation" and reads with feeling:
fraternity was to encourage the spirit of true sisterhood, to develop through
Your willingness to enter the portal imposes upon you a
Our standards are surpassed by no
path leads to the Third Hall, where the remaining secrets will be unfolded to
society. of Strife. To all of which I pledge my most solemn word of honor. Dike. First, cultivate tolerance and open-mindedness. attained. immediately returned to safe keeping in the locked storage area. base of the mangle and through the place left vacant by Eunomia and toward the
The latter relates to a state law against hazing prohibiting, "any type of confinement in a small space or other activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental health or physical health or safety of the student.". this (college/university) to be admitted into full membership. "Greek Chant" is played and sung by all members. left shoulder of the chapter member in front. Each
At the
be revealed to you.
temple, for the purpose of revealing to a petitioner the mystic rites of Alpha
solemnly bind ourselves to hold inviolate the obligation of secrecy which we
far removed from common affairs to have an earthly origin. its requirements. this garland, a symbol of our never-ending sisterhood and a heritage from the
So help me God, and may He keep metrue to the end. Such are the precepts of the Hall of Devotion. the Hellenes, one of these being a period of orientation. So intensive was her search and such grief was in her heart that she neglected her duties. of Alpha Chi Omega - as well as the Fraternity at large. A slow, not hesitating step is used. , be a constant inspiration. The nature of our Ritual is that of an art form-a pageant, a
Banish all worldly thoughts now, and prepare yourself in spirit for the
by vote of the Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity. The initiates
Eunomia looks toward the throne and gestures with her left hand toward
Chi Omega Executive Headquarters When all are in place, the soloist sings
We bind ourselves to work faithfully and harmoniously for the perfect
'The Ritual of Alpha Chi Omega stands as a clear pronouncement of the purposes,
appreciation of human needs, beauty of living and artistic development. Together
"It wasn't closed or anything like that. (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. deepest meaning in life comes from giving of yourself. The answer is: 'I am ready. ' , translated Together let us seek the Heights,' and
These radiate unceasingly: 'their message of
sisterhood. upon the altar. Sixth Formation
It is to be conducted by the Vice President-pledge Education in the
symbolic of true sisterhood in Alpha Chi Omega. their scarves to the right shoulder of the chapter member next to them, and the
reach the heights and were hindered on all sides by unforeseen obstacles. been sung. Download the Watch OWN app and access OWN anytime, anywhere. base of the mangle and through the place left vacant by Eunomia and toward the
'Together let us seek the Heights.' Crowning these with our open
As always, the lines
DIKE holds up a picture of the coat of arms and points to the various parts
Founders created our lovely Initiation Ceremony. nods to the line of chapter
Hebe and Hestia
First Formation changes to the Second Formation. Upon movement of the line in front of the
As the "Song of the Third Golden Key" is sung softly, Iris turns
by the thumb. appreciation of human needs, beauty of living and artistic development. At the start of the dance, Iris and the Hours move through the lines of
"The Song of the Third Golden Key." thought and deed toward those within the temple. will take. Put yourself in the context of the time when our
response to the proper knock which is thus: Illustrates
Eunomia guards the temple door and makes certain that only
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. places of the mystagogues indicated in the drawing, in order to keep the
When most Sisters learn about the Myth of Demeter its nearing Initiation. DIKE: Alpha Chi Omega has adopted a coat of arms embodying in
Remember the vows you
Euterpe plays and the last verse of the Songof the Living Lyre is sung
focus the eyes of all sisters on our common bond and common purpose: the
now in the British Museum, was her inspiration for the drawing. its face. When Persephone returned to the underworld, Demeter retreated to her cave, and winter came. those values set forth in our Ceremonies and summarized in our open motto:
Seventh Formation
our Greek name. With this heraldic symbol in mind, we go forth to strive for the ideals of
National Fraternity. Seventh Formation
face inwards toward the initiates. Treasure the Golden Precepts unfolded to you by the Hours, and
neighbor, your country or you: God. every true woman; and to admit into this Bond only those who are capable of
Each stage of
This completes the mysteries guarded by the Hall of Wisdom. which holds within its pages the keystone of our philosophy. Admete repeats the following each time she hands a
Thus giving, you will someday reach the
temple through this hall. with Eunomia behind the group of initiates. "This is the stupidest thing I've ever done," I remember thinking.
But the maiden, mindful of her fellow travelers, helped them regain their
Behold the
May I be kept forever steadfast in this, my secret and binding
a sister in the Bond of Alpha Chi Omega. should occur. acts in the fields of the furore. estate to take sanctuary in the Temple of Hera, and in accordance with a vision,
. Upon this scroll is inscribed
The entire group forms a circle and the chapter members sing
solemnly bind ourselves to hold inviolate the obligation of secrecy which we
face inwards toward the initiates. will then lead them before Pretanis in a slow step. take the place representing the center jewel, love.
Rising from this valley
Fourth Formation
grip, explaining the response. Olympus. name, our motto and other things pertinent to our Fraternity. Because we realize it
At
initiates. IRIS: Eunomia is the Goddess of Good Order and Keeper of the
On the other
follow faithfully and intelligently the three Muses: Art, Literature and Song,
Bright, beautiful, and beloved, the young women of Chi Omega had it alluntil they didn't. She set forth
Our official grip is the clasp which I will now show you. After the chapter members have taken their places, Pretanis addresses them
of achievement. language contains few references to the Grecian period of ancient history. As the "Song of the Second Golden Key" is sung softly, Iris turns
The sheaf of wheat in the third division represents the garnering of our
which you are required to pledge your solemn oath of allegiance. which the structure of our fraternal life is built. 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. In 1885 our seven founders agreed that the object of the Alpha Chi Omega
the initiates in their places to face toward the Hall of Achievement (Third
If so, the answer is: 'I do solemnly
most profound secrecy. following material with the exception of the passages from
They stand in place until Euterpe is finished
their scarves to the right shoulder of the chapter member next to them, and the
Admete then speaks. is based and provides a framework on which those ideals can be reinforced. The number of songs is governed by the size of the new member
are initiated into full membership. Third Formation
meant the education of the soul, They felt music to be a spiritual thing, too
of the Second Hall. Let
throughout the ceremony. The first division of the shield displays an Open Book symbolic of the Bond
use the same slow step used throughout the ceremony with the right hand on the
assigning a mystagogue has become the heritage of Alpha Chi Omega. Once the verse has been sung, Euterpe continues to
It would more be forcing someone - making them drink. 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. I will familiarize myself with itssecret work, its symbolism, and its teaching; that I will striveto the best of my ability to realize its purposes, both for theenrichment of my own life and the greater happiness of mySisters in Chi Omega. Toe door of the temple will open only in
responsive to her needs; and to guard her character from the breath of slander. as she speaks or uses one mounted on the wall behind her. EUNOMIA: Then let them enter. EUNOMIA: Are you alone? It must always retain its position as the cherished cornerstone on
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. Book just before the Ceremony begins. 'The Ritual of Alpha Chi Omega stands as a clear pronouncement of the purposes,
at the left side of Dike, facing the initiates. that the Ceremony shall proceed? the Ritual of the Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity; and moreover, if, for any reason,
seriously. membership presents a challenge designed to encourage you to develop as an
an appropriate song while this is taking place, such as "Carnation
pan of the life of every member, that her formal education, so far removed from
fulfilment of your wish to become a member of our Fraternity. IRIS: A Child of Light, a sister in the Bond. Chi. Such are the precepts of the Hall of Achievement which should be applied to
the death of Orpheus, greatest of the Greek lyrists, Zeus placed his lyre in the
college regulations. This is formed from the first
of the Red Carnation. stir our aesthetic sensibilities. There you
this Bond all things pertaining to our solemn rites, known to the Outer World as
It's a Secret or is it? before the new members are brought into the room. , translated Together let us seek the Heights,' and
You may rely on
Your journey is over, and you have learned much on the way. foothold and shielded them with her love and devotion. Or, rather, I think I mentioned it to my friend Catherine, the cheerleader from Jackson, and then let it drop. Pressures, one long,
"Greek Chant." Euterpe
higher things of life. the introduction to the Initiation Ceremony has been conducted. Golden Lyre." Such are the precepts of the Hall of Wisdom. line in front of the First Hall. step toward full membership, its privileges and responsibilities. She walks through the center
The lyre is the visible symbol of our Fraternity to the Outer World. her seat on the throne. You are about to be conducted into the presence of those who are
Chi Omega provides a steady, consistent guide for Sisters to create a path of purpose and success. Ceremony. If space permits, the candles are most
playing the Song of Welcome and Admete then speaks. correct understanding of its nature and purpose. that it contains nothing that will interfere with your duties to yourself, your
confinement of her surroundings.. other fraternity. individual chapter, allowing the new members to receive the congratulations of
With this clearly in mind, do you desire
'ITS NATURE. and our minds; to an extent it is also permitted to have a visual appeal and to
request for release to come from you during the time of pledgeship before you
left shoulder on the initiate in front of them and leads them in a line to the
And appreciate membership in Alpha
follows her down the lines of initiates and hands the wreaths to Eunomia. for others. Eunomia joins Dike and Eirene in the base. , means goodness,
Before you take your first step, O Seeker of Light consider carefully our
made. an arrangement somewhere in the room. Omega. The salute is given by placing the side edge of the index finger
deeds, she completed her journey through the Valley of Strife and found herself
pans picturing the trinity within our Ritual. From this day forward, you shall be known as the High Priestess in
We see in it
with a floor carpeted by twining vines, eternally green. which you are required to pledge your solemn oath of allegiance. EIRENE: First must I have the Second Golden Key whose mystic
society. diamond-shaped, enamelled in scarlet and olive green, bearing a gold lyre across
Thus was it held divine by the Greeks from whom it was handed
policy and stands for absolute fairness in all relations. complete fulfilment and appreciation of Fraternity. You will be answered by two short, and two long knocks. nobility of character, strength of intellect and kindness of hem inherent in
in ancient Greek folklore. Admete. Eunomia guards the temple door and makes certain that only
During tills period we expect our members to assist you in any
going through the Ceremony, the initiates should be permitted to sign the Bond
The Warden
Eunomia
we must not mar. The classics were a primary
This completes the mysteries guarded by the Hall of Devotion. Pretanis should have a list of the mystagogue-mystagee
given to the Warden to hold until the time of pin presentation. Observe and listen
This Concludes the Initiation ceremony. Third, practice honor, uprightness and fairness. Where an Informal Rush Week is involved, the
From this time forward we expect you to join with us in bringing honor to the
In voting, the formal sip is the right hand over the heart. to stand. chapter members. To preserve it in our
Everyone knows Chi O heavily relies on religion during rush through scriptures and praying with/over girls for pref, and then uses the same tones in their initiation death and rebirth. I pledge myself always to uphold the honor and integrity of each member -