HellenicGods.org - 18. ΚΑΤΑΖΩΣΤΙΚΟΝ

THE ORPHIC FRAGMENTS

OF OTTO KERN

18. ΚΑΤΑΖΩΣΤΙΚΟΝ

THE GIRDING OF SACRED ROBES

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For links to many more fragments: The Orphic Fragments of Otto Kern.

Souda Orphic Testimony nr. 223 d p. 65.

Christian Lobeck Aglaophamus I 372:

Καταζωστικόν fortasse a cinguli sacri traditione nomen habet, quo recens initiati tum in Samothraciis mysteriis tum in aliis ornari solebant.

“Perhaps the Katazôstikón (Καταζωστικόν) derives its name from the tradition of the sacred belt, whereby the freshly initiated in the Samothracian and other Mysteries were accustomed to be adorned.”

(trans. by the author)

Scholia Laurentianus Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica I 917:

καὶ Ὀδυσσέα δὲ φασι μεμυηένον ἐν Σαμοθράικηι χρήσασθαι τῶι κρηδέμνωι ἀντὶ ταινίας. περὶ γὰρ τὴν κοιλίαν οἱ μεμυημένοι ταινίας ἅπτουσι πορφυρᾶς. καὶ Ἀγαμέμνονα δέ φασι μεμυημένον ἐν ταραχῆι ὄντα πολλῆι κατὰ Τροίαν ἀκαταστασίαν τῶν Ἑλλήνων παῦσαι πορφυρίδα ἔχοντα.

“But even Odysséfs (Ὀδυσσεύς), having received initiation into the Mysteries of Samothrákî (Σαμοθράκη), is said to have used a veil* instead of a fillet. In fact, the initiates fasten purple fillets around their mid-sections. And even Agammǽmnôn (Ἀγαμέμνων), an initiate, having been in great tumult before Troy, is said to have checked the confusion of the Hellenes by wearing a purple robe.”

(trans. by the author)

*The veil given to him by Leucothea to enable him to safely reach land after his having been shipwrecked?

v. Kern Real-encyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft ² X 1429 and Ludwig Radermacher Sitzungsberichte Wien Akademie vol. 187 section 3, p. 135 n. 2. Compare earlier in 15. ΙΕΡΟΣΤΟΛΙΚΑ p. 300 (in the physical book).

The story of the birth of the Gods: Orphic Theogony.

We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology.

Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology.

Introduction to the Thæí (the Gods): The Nature of the Gods.

How do we know there are Gods? Experiencing Gods.

This logo is the principal symbol of this website. It is called the CESS logo, i.e. the Children of the Earth and the Starry Sky. The Pætilía (Petelia, Πετηλία) and other golden tablets having this phrase are the inspiration for the symbol. The image represents this idea: Earth (divisible substance) and the Sky (continuous substance) are the two kozmogonic substances. The twelve stars represent the Natural Laws, the dominions of the Olympian Gods. In front of these symbols is the seven-stringed kithára (cithara, κιθάρα), the the lyre of Apóllôn (Apollo, Ἀπόλλων). It (here) represents the bond between Gods and mortals and is representative that we are the children of Orphéfs (Orpheus, Ὀρφεύς).

PLEASE NOTE: Throughout the pages of this website, you will find fascinating stories about our Gods. These narratives are known as mythology, the traditional stories of the Gods and Heroes. While these tales are great mystical vehicles containing transcendent truth, they are symbolic and should not be taken literally. A literal reading will frequently yield an erroneous result. The meaning of the myths is concealed in code. To understand them requires a key. For instance, when a God kills someone, this usually means a transformation of the soul to a higher level. Similarly, sexual union with a God is a transformation.

We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology.

Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology.

SPELLING: HellenicGods.org uses the Reuchlinian method of pronouncing ancient Greek, the system preferred by scholars from Greece itself. An approach was developed to enable the student to easily approximate the Greek words. Consequently, the way we spell words is unique, as this method of transliteration is exclusive to this website. For more information, visit these three pages:

Pronunciation of Ancient Greek

Transliteration of Ancient Greek

Pronouncing the Names of the Gods in Hellenismos

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