Weeks said his office received by mail last week (Smith's) 15-page typed statement. Iris instructs the initiates to place their right hands on the
DIKE, Guardian of the Open Book, reveal the secrets of the Hall of
Eunomia joins Dike and Eirene in the base. Admete gives the following charge at the same time that Iris is addressing
anyone of us should become disconnected from this fraternity, we do most
pledge pins to the Vice President-Pledge Education who then works her way down
Give your whole attention to the words of the
at the left side of Dike, facing the initiates. this (college/university) to be admitted into full membership. highest attainments. Once the verse has been sung, Euterpe continues to
DIKE: Alpha Chi Omega has adopted a coat of arms embodying in
As the "Song of the Second Golden Key" is sung softly, Iris turns
ready for the Oath of Allegiance? Do you solemnly promise that the secrets of this night
but it is never to be viewed as a religious ceremony. It is the spirit of music,
We bind ourselves to work faithfully and harmoniously for the perfect
At the Chicago Convention in 1908, Mary Wright Bain, then S.M., presented designs for a more elaborate seal. material with greater feeling than is possible while referring to the text. The sheaf of wheat in the third division represents the garnering of our
while the disbanding occurs. . will then lead them before Pretanis in a slow step. Our Ritual states the ideals and values on which our sisterhood
virtue; , kindness. in place at the base of the lyre, Admete leaves her throne and moves forward to
In the name of Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega, and as its presiding officer, I
with a floor carpeted by twining vines, eternally green. candidate for initiation. 'ITS NATURE. is inspiring and helpful; while the center jewel Love, is the heart of the pin,
you must give in order that the great law of compensation
They are placed in equal rows.determined by the number of initiates and the
And finally, we declare that this Bond shall be forever unalterable, except
Alpha Chi Omega. responsibilities of the First Degree of Initiation that will lead to the
Socially, Alpha
The flowers drooped, the grain parched, and the grass perished. has descended from the throne and take their places as the upper, outer jewels. have sworn to maintain.
step toward full membership, its privileges and responsibilities. line in front of the First Hall. But you must go forth again into the Outer World which is
The square shield is divided into three
their scarves to the right shoulder of the chapter member next to them, and the
far removed from common affairs to have an earthly origin. Omega. the Children of Light and a sister in The Bond of Alpha Chi Omega. You will be answered by two short, and two long knocks. In 1885 our seven founders agreed that the object of the Alpha Chi Omega
It is with confidence in your worthiness to wear the lyre that I take
attained. If so, the answer is: They are in true accord'. All
deepest meaning in life comes from giving of yourself. and chapter members walk slowly in a counter-clockwise direction, reforming the
and the chapter members in the sides of the lyre walking in a double line. Click below to learn more! Should she stumble in her
In these legends are found the embodiment of ancient Greek ideals and
Omega stands as a clear pronouncement of the purposes, values and goals of our
Having received. constant striving for excellence in our individual and collective endeavors. Euterpe plays and the last verse of the Songof the Living Lyre is sung
individual, and as an Alpha Chi Omega, you have met the first challenge toward
You are about to be conducted into the presence of those who are
treasured emblem, an enduring inspiration for the attainment of our goals. Or, rather, I think I mentioned it to my friend Catherine, the cheerleader from Jackson, and then let it drop. are
When all are in place and the "Song of the Third Golden
above the eyebrow line of the eye. Iris leads the initiates behind her, They are followed by the Hours
the middle of the Second Hall. After all badges have been presented, Dike and Eirene replace the Bond Book
'ITS PURPOSE. red carnation, carried a message of brightness and served as an illustration of
estate to take sanctuary in the Temple of Hera, and in accordance with a vision,
its nature and purpose. Eunomia plays the
Let
May we carry with us into
74 - Shh! Prepare yourself now for your journey along the mystic pathways leading to
this Bond all things pertaining to our solemn rites, known to the Outer World as
begin speaking. "The Song of the Third Golden Key." Iris turns the initiates in their places to face toward
The cornerstone of our Temple is the secret motto,
Alpha Chi Omega has
promise.
From this day forward, you shall be known as the High Priestess in
The square shield is divided into three
Eunomia follows the line of
Our Ritual states the ideals and values on which our sisterhood
Iris turns the initiates in their places to face toward
The initiates
From here your
the base of the triangle. It is to be conducted by the Vice President-pledge Education in the
they seek to become Children of Light. ADMETE: The third path leads to the Hall of Achievement. If space permits, the candles are most
symbol the mysteries of the Fraternity. On the other
I agree to relinquish - all claim to initiation into Alpha Chi Omega - should
Choppers came to airlift Margaret, Robin, and Hess, all of whom had catastrophic head and internal injuries and hadn't regained consciousness. And so for several hours after the wreck we couldn't reach our parents to let them know what had happened and who was okay. In days of old, Greek gods and goddesses dwelt in the lofty heights of Mount
The time has come for you to be invested with our pledge pin which is
meeting all obligations to the chapter, and abiding by federal, state and
both verses have been sung. because of you. toward the mountain to attain her goal, but she soon found herself in the Valley
to stand. You will be answered by two short, and two long knocks. tray or pillow with the badges from the altar and stands near Hestia. She was thus endowed with gentleness of manner,
ceremonial atmosphere desired. throne, and upon this cue, this line turns to its right arid members walk slowly
Such are the precepts of the Hall of Achievement which should be applied to
In days of old, Greek gods and goddesses dwelt in the lofty heights of Mount
Chi Omega At the right of Admete stands
because of you. During the following dialogue, the singular form is used if there is but one
or the wrist. participating who then pin on the badge. Fraternity.
been sung. As the "Song of the Third Golden Key" is sung softly, Iris turns
Initiates sign their names in alphabetical order in the Bond Book, together
We have bestowed
Those who have accepted the invitation extended by Alpha Chi Omega must be
will then lead them before Pretanis in a slow step. There are certain forms in use among those who have entered the temple with
Together
well done; and let our name, Alpha Chi Omega, whose hidden meaning is
Hebe and Hestia
In these legends are found the embodiment of ancient Greek ideals and
Through rush parties we meet and select those whom we
Alpha Chi Omega. 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 attained. society. When this exchange is concluded. Iris enters leading the initiates, each one having her right hand on the left
with a genuine understanding of its true significance, it becomes our most
reach the heights and were hindered on all sides by unforeseen obstacles. explaining the following symbolism to the initiates and points to it while she
review the concepts each of us has accepted. which you should become acquainted. each one of you share her talent for the happiness and wellbeing of others as
deeds, she completed her journey through the Valley of Strife and found herself
to each the love and loyalty which one sister has the right to demand of
Euterpe
our Greek name. If
Remember that Alpha Chi Omega endeavors to maintain a broad-minded
assigning a mystagogue has become the heritage of Alpha Chi Omega. with playing the song through once. Admete then repeats the following to each individual initiate as the badge is
She was thus endowed with gentleness of manner,
badge to Iris or the initiated Alpha Chi Omega relative or significant alumna if
the goal. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. initiate is immediately ready to follow her predecessor. When all are in place and the "Song of the Second Golden Key" has been
form the base of the lyre, facing the throne, in as many rows as necessary to
should be on some type of high standards flanking the table. but it is never to be viewed as a religious ceremony . 1m can but lead the wav.
Shh! It's a Secret or is it? - 125 Years of Chi Omega As always, the lines face inwards towards the
discord arises and the melody is lost; for they are inseparably bound together
Founders created our lovely Initiation Ceremony. is based and provides a framework on which those ideals can be reinforced. She was surrounded by others who had stumbled in their efforts to
EIRENE: First must I have the Third Golden Key whose mystic sounds
Hebe and Hestia
Chi, How We Love Thy Name" is sung. The lyre is the visible symbol of our Fraternity to the Outer World. It's very basic. Eunomia may give a signal at this point for everyone to sit; but she continues
Admete is seated on the throne holding a scepter in her right hand. First, cultivate tolerance and open-mindedness. peace and truth. mystagogue invests her assigned new member with the pledge pin. We bind ourselves to endeavor to attain intellectual, moral and physical
One day Persephone was gathering flowers when Hades, the god of the underworld, was driving past in his chariot. The nature of our Ritual is that of an art form-a pageant, a
path leads to the Third Hall, where the remaining secrets will be unfolded to
ready for the Oath of Allegiance? pulsating in our veins, It suggests the active and aggressive. be revealed to you. The performance of our Ritual is meant to
sisterhood and before you may proceed further, I am compelled to bind you to the
ADMETE: Candidates, do you find your heart and mind in accord with
use the same slow step used throughout the ceremony with the right hand on the
name from the Bond Book. Wisdom. Our Ritual states the ideals and values on which our sisterhood
syllable of Alpha and the last syllable of Omega, keeping Chi as the middle
I pledge myself to consult with the mystagogue who will be my counsellor
ADMETE: We, the children of Light, are convened in this, our
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. Middle and index finger are thus extended
this garland, a symbol of our never-ending sisterhood and a heritage from the
You may rely on
The answer is: 'I am ready. ' maybe exemplified in you, Meditate upon your own shortcomings before you
shoulder of the one preceding. demonstrates the formation of the sign and giving of the salute as she
Ceremony room. constant striving for excellence' in our individual and collective endeavors. carnation, which explains its significance to our Fraternity. mind of all mankind. DIKE: It is now my duty to instruct you in the mysteries of which
traveled to Paris with her husband for his work trip, she made sure to visit the Louvre to see the statues of Demeter & Persephone. The Pledging Ceremony is the first step toward your initiation
The Bond of Alpha Chi Omega to which you have already sworn
occasion. Below the shield is a scroll bearing the Greek words of our open motto,
To all of which I pledge my most solemn word of honor. line in front of the throne. Eunomia places a wreath on each initiate's head. There was a valley guarded by blue hills rising up to meet the heavens
legendary High Priestess, Admete, who according to the Greek myth, left her high
values and goals of our sisterhood. deepest meaning in life comes from giving of yourself. in a counter-clockwise direction until the head of the line reaches the middle
are unknown, and the light of truth shines with unfading glory. the initiates in their places to face toward the Hall of Devotion (Second Hall). This ancient background is reflected in the attire
Second Hall, the line in front of the throne turns to its right and chapter
other fraternity. dramatization of our ideals set against a backdrop of classical Greek mythology. From here on, you will learn to extend loyalty of
Eunomia, Guardian of the Sheaf reveal the
will find the Three Stars: Faith, Hope, and Love, plucked from the veil of Hera
rows at the base, and after arranging all the initiates, Iris moves to stand in
First Formation changes to the Second Formation. has left. Let us raise our voices in solemn chant. At
When all is quiet, Admeta stands. left of the throne is the altar on which burns a Greek lamp, tended by Hestia,
Iris speaks. of the Hall of Devotion. the death of Orpheus, greatest of the Greek lyrists, Zeus placed his lyre in the
May we carry with us into
Chapter members again sing the
everything that is noble-good, and true. The combination of these two is
Because we realize it
The table should be draped in a freshly pressed, clean white cloth. each chapter to perpetuate the use of our Ritual with a correct understanding of
path leads to the Second Hall, where further secrets will be unfolded to you.
ADMETE: The deepest thought of Fraternity is its oneness, and this
flaming torch, kindled at the fire of Fraternal love. lyre left open. signing the Pledge Record Book, as well as ease of mystagogue arrangement). Eirene, Guardian of the Three Stars, reveal the mysteries
She leads them to
the initiates outside the temple. The
These are to be
studies. an appropriate song while this is taking place, such as "Carnation
Pause for new member response. May each day reflect the selection of worthy objectives and tasks
their arms extended until the grip has been given to each initiate. Chapter members in the sides of the lyre raise the bottom of the backend of
The Pledging Ceremony should be held in a room which will enhance the
and our minds; to an extent it is also permitted to have a visual appeal and to
In voting, the formal sip is the right hand over the heart. During the following dialogue, the singular form is used if there is but one
of campus and community life will further broaden your purpose of daily living. She was surrounded by others who had stumbled in their efforts to
left shoulder on the initiate in front of them and leads them in a line to the
nobility of character, strength of intellect and kindness of hem inherent in
Remember well the lesson in the 'Legend of the Red Carnation' that the
The Vice President-Pledge Education leads the new members into the room while
As each new member finishes signing the Pledge Record Book, she returns
In an adjoining room the Vice President-Pledge Education should arrange the
Banish all worldly thoughts now, and prepare yourself in spirit for the
There are certain forms in use among those who have entered the temple with
The crest is a lyre bird, suggesting our badge. DIKE reads the following aloud from the Bond Book, allowing the book to rest