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Fragment from Orphic Ritual
A papyrus fragment from the 3rd cent. BC, found at Gurôb in the Fayyûm, seems to be instructions for some kind of ritual. Column 1 of the papyrus is given below (P. Gurôb 1 = Orph. Fr. 31):
. . . having what he finds | . . . [Let him] collect the
raw pieces | . . . on account of the sacrament:
“Accep]t ye my [offering] as the
payment [for my lawless] fath[ers].
Save me, gr[eat] Brimo [
And Demeter (and ?) Rhea [
And the armed Kouretes; let us [
] and we will
make fine sacrifice.
] a ram and a he-goat
] boundless gifts.”
. . . and pasture by the river | . . . [ta]king of the goat
| . . . Let him eat the rest of the meat | . . . Let x not watch | . . .
consecrating it upon the burnt-up | . . . Prayer of the [ ]:
“Let [us] invoke [ ] and
Eubouleus,
And let [us] call upon [the Queen] of the broad [Earth],
And the dear [ ]s. Thou, having withered the [
[Grant the blessings] of Demeter and Pallas unto us.
O Eubou]leus, Erikepaios,
Save me [ Hurler of Light]ning!”
THERE IS ONE DIONYSUS.
Tokens | . . . . . GOD THROUGH BOSOM | . . . . . I have drunk. Donkey. Oxherd | . . . password: UP AND DOWN to the | . . . . and what has been given to you, consume it | . . . . put into the basket | . . . [c]one, bull-roarer, knucklebones | . . . . mirror.
Column 2 only has a few surviving words that can be made out: “pray,” “to the lustral basin,” “from the basket,” and “journey.”
This seems to be evidence for a syncretization of at least a few mystery cults. Overall it seems to be “Orphic” but it also contains elements of the Sabazios cult, due to the use of the phrase “God through the bosom.” There are also elements of an Asian Dionysos cult due to the use of the name Erikepaios, and possible influence from the Eleusinian Mysteries, especially with note of Demeter and the baskets.