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Skirophória Ritual
The Skirophória, which is also known simply as the Skira, is somewhat of a mystery to us now. We know that there was a procession that included the priestess of Athena, a priest of Poseidon, and a priest of Apollon. They began at the Acropolis and took the Sacred Way towards Eleusis, ending at the Kephisos River. Eleusis is of course the center of the cult of Demeter and Kore, and it was here that their mysteries were celebrated. There was also a women’s ritual honoring Demeter on this day, in which pigs were sacrificed to her. The participants were supposed to avoid sexual contact, and were said to eat much garlic as a “turn-off” to their husbands. Even though we don’t know what kinds of rituals were performed, we have decided to perform a single ritual in honor of these four deities that would have received worship in some form on this day. What follows is a ritual of our invention, but which follows the traditional structure of ancient Hellenic rituals.
Please visit our page of photos to see the pics from our Skirophória ritual on 17 June 2006, or from the year before.Preparations:
Participants follow general rules concerning miasma, and wear stephanoi.
The ritual:
All participants assemble, and carrying the ritual items they process around the area. The maiden carrying the barley basket leads, followed by the one carrying the water, then the incense carrier, then those carrying other sacrifices, food, flowers, etc. The spondephóros (libation carrier) is last. Anyone who is not carrying anything will follow behind the spondephóros, in any order.
As the procession comes to an end, each participant will stop at the bowl of khérnips to wash their hands before entering the ritual space. Once all have washed, they circle the altar one time in a counterclockwise direction, doing a lighthearted step dance. Then, all the items which were carried in may be placed on the altar or nearby table. Participants may then stand wherever they choose.
The priest takes the khérnips and sprinkles the participants, sacrifice, offerings, and altar with the water. He says, “As the khernips is pure, so you are pure. May you be cleansed of all míasma.”
The basket of barley is then passed to each participant so they can take a small amount of barley. (Be careful when reaching into the basket as the ritual knife is buried underneath the barley!) The priestess then steps to the altar and offers the following prayer.
[Note: since this ritual honors Olympian deities, one or both hands should be raised upward]
“Hear me, Athéne Parthénos, the maiden on the Acrópolis, Poseidón Híppios, Lord of horses, Apóllon Apotrópaios, the averter of evil, and Deméter Karpophóros, she who brings fruit, or by whichever names you wish to be called. We have assembled here to worship you all on this day of the Skirophória. We have many pleasing offerings for you. Come, receive your gifts. Protect us, and give us peace and health.”
After the priestess steps back, all participants take the barley and throw it at the altar, sacrifices, and offerings. Then, taking the ritual knife from the basket, the priestess cuts some portions of the sacrifices and offers them to the gods by placing them in the fire. These are allowed to burn for several minutes, so the smoke and scents can rise up to the gods. If there is other food which cannot be burned, it is offered by holding it up for the gods to see, then placing it upon the altar.
The libation is now offered by the spondephóros. He lifts the wine up for the gods to see, and says “Athena, Poseidon, Apollon, and Demeter, we offer this spondé in your honor.” He then pours a little into the altar fire (or into a bowl held over the flame if using a smaller fire). The gods may signal that they have accepted it my making the fire flare up.
The incense is offered next, by holding it up for the gods to see. S/He says, “Athena, Poseidon, Apollon, and Demeter, we offer this incense in your honor.”
Next, the priestess steps forward to offer hymns to each of the gods separately. Following each hymn, an offering is made to the god/dess. All participants make the offerings together.
Hymn to Athena (selected lines from the Orphic Hymn to
Athena)
“Magnanimous and Famed, the rocky height and cool grove
sand shady mountains are Thy joy,
Let Thy wrath descend upon the wicked, and grant Thy wisdom to the good,
Hear us, Oh Goddess, whenever we call to Thee,
Give us peace and health!
We give offerings to you of fragrant incense!”
All who wish to may step forward and offer incense.
To Poseidon (selected lines from the Orphic Hymn to
Poseidon)
“King of the poignant sea, your powerful arms belt the
world,
The tides obey your bronze trident.
Split open rocks and reveal fresh water fountains and
springs.
Send prosperous winds, and give us peace and health.
We give offerings to you of pure water!”
All who wish to may step forward and offer a water libation.
To Apollon (selected lines from the Orphic Hymn to Apollon)
“Blessed Apollo, Companion of the Muses, come, and listen
to our prayers,
Abundant, Blessed, Your piercing sight extends beyond the
darkness, starry and profound,
Your immortal golden lyre sounds the dance of the seasons.
Hear me Blessed Power, save Your Mystics, and in these
rites rejoice.
We give offerings to you of barley!”
All who wish to may step forward and offer barley.
To Demeter (selected lines from the Orphic Hymn to Demeter)
“You nourish the grain, Oh Goddess of seeds and fruits
abundant, and bring the bountiful harvest,
In the flourishing fields, Oh Honorable Goddess, you lead the Bakkhian revels
bearing light,
Bright Goddess, come with Summer's rich increase, swelling with child,
Bring us peace and health and fairness, and grant to us a needful store of
wealth.
We give offerings to you of fresh garlic!”
All who wish to may step forward and offer garlic.
At this time if any participants have anything else they would like to offer (libations, flowers, votive gifts, etc.), they may step forward and offer it, while saying a few lines from the heart.
Lastly, the spondephóros once again steps forward and makes a final libation. He says, “Hail to you, noble gods and goddesses. We shall assemble in your honor again!”
Last updated: 07/21/2006