HellenicGods.org - ORPHIC FRAGMENT 236

ORPHIC FRAGMENT 236

OTTO KERN

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

SUMMARY: In this fragment, the Sun, whirling through the heavens, is equated with Zeus-Dionysus, and is called the father of everything.

236. (235) Macrobii Ambrosii Theodosii Saturnaliorum Libri Septem (Cornelius Labeo?) I 23, 21:

postremo potentiam solis ad omnium potestatum summitatem referri indicant theologi, qui in sacris hoc brevissima precatione demonstrant dicentes

Ἥλιε παντοκράτορ, κόσμου πνεῦμα, κόσμου δύναμις, κόσμου φῶς.

solem esse omnia et Orpheus testatur his versibus:

κέκλυθι τηλεπόρου δίνης ἑλικαύγεα κύκλον

οὐρανίαις στροφάλιγξι περίδρομον αἰὲν ἑλίσσων,

ἀγλαὲ Ζεῦ Διόνυσε, πάτερ πόντου, πάτερ αἴης,

Ἥλιε παγγενέτορ πανταίολε χρυσεοφεγγές.

“At last, the theologians proclaim that the power of the sun is ascribed as the summit of all abilities, in sacred (liturgies) they indicate such, saying in this brief prayer:

‘Oh Sun ruler of all, breath of the kózmos, might of the kózmos, light of the world!’

“And indeed, the sun is everything, as Orpheus testifies in his verses:

‘Hear (oh, Sun), spinning ‘round in a circle of distant revolving rays,

Ever turning ‘round the orbit in heavenly whirls.

Oh shining Zefs-Diónysos (Ζεὺς Διόνυσος), father of the sea, father of the earth,

Oh Sun, father of all, all radiant, and glittering like gold!’ ”

(trans. by the author)

Herm. VII verse 25 p. 464; Lobeck I 745 who doubtfully attributes them to hymns.

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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