LITURGICAL CALENDAR
RELIGIO ANTINOI

 

CURRENT YEAR AND CYCLES
  1893 - ANNO ANTINOI : (OCTOBER 30-OCTOBER 29) - Since the founding of Antinoopolis on October 30th, 130 CE
   
  2777 - AB URBE CONDITA : Since the Founding of Rome in 753 BCE
   
  V - ANTINOEIAD - YEAR III: Sacred Games of Antinous held every four years since 2006 - Next Games August, 2026
   
  701- OLYMPIAD - YEAR I : Every Four Years, Since the Founding of the Ancicnet Olympic Games in 776 BCE
   
  VII - PEREGRINATION: - YEAR III : Three Year Cycle, from AUGUST 1st - JULY 31st - observed since 2004
   
 
 
LITURGICAL CALENDAR LIST
  1) DEIFICATIO ANTINOI – October 30th
    LIBERALIA – October 31st
  2) NATALIS ANTINOI – November 27th
  3) SATURNALIA – December Solstice – December 21, 22, or 23
    APOTHEOSIS AELII – January 1st
    VICTORIA ANTINOI – January 11th
    NATALIS AELII – January 13th
  4) NATALIS HADRIANI – January 24th
  5) LUPERCALIA – February 15th
  6) VENATIO APRI – March Equinox, March 21st
  7) NATALIS ROMAE – April 21st
    NOX BELENUS – April 30th
  8) VENATIO TAURI – May 20th
  9) HYACINTHIA – June Solstice, June 20, 21, 22nd
    APOTHEOSIS HADRIANI – July 10th
  10) INUNDATIO NILII – July 25th
    NATALIS DIANAE – August 19th
  11) VENATIO LEONIS – August 22nd
  12) VENATIO CERVI – September Equinox, September 21, 22, or 23rd
  13) MORTUUS ANTINOUS – October 28th
    ANTINOUS IN REGNUM MORTIS – October 29th
 
   
 

THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR

 

1) DEIFICATIO ANTINOI – October 30th
      On this day in the year 130 of the common era, the City of Antinoopolis was consecrated by Hadrian in honor of Antinous who had died on the nearby shore of the Nile. Antinous descended into the underworld, guided by Hermanubis, he stated the Orphic Creed, He is an initiate of the Mysteries of Eleusis, He has been embraced by Osiris and become a god, as one with the Lord of the Underworld. Now Antinous steps forth as a god from the shore of the Nile from which he fell. He is led by the entourage of Bacchus and followed by the souls of countless gay people who he has liberated from their fate. Antinous has arisen as a god. The Barque of Millions of Years awaits his command and he gives a place on board to all his chosen people. Hadrian as Pontifex Maximus performed the ritual of Apotheosis for Antinous and declared him a god. In this ceremony we celebrate the deification of Antinous as our arisen God. At the moment during the ceremony when Antinous is declared to be arisen, his covered images are unveiled. The Deification is the most important ceremony of the year. New Saints are consecrated in this ceremony, including the Martyrs who are named in the Death of Antinous ceremony. New Antinoans are initiated, and new Temples or groups are inaugurated. This is the day upon which the new religion of Antinous was officially inaugurated in 2002. We mark this as the beginning of our sacred Antinous Calendar and wish each other a Happy New Year of Antinous.
    Antinous Deity- Osiris
Secondary Deity - Phanes
Ancient Text- Dio Cassius, The Obelisk
Color- Black & Purple
    Peregrination I - ANTINOUS IN MANTINEIA
  Peregrination II - ANTINOUS IN HIEROPOLIS
  Peregrination III - ANTINOUS IN ANTINOOPOLIS
   
  LIBERALIA – October 31st
    As Antinous ascended into the Heroic sphere, he bestowed Liberation upon all his people and upon all those who believe in him. He gave us freedom from Death and eternity in the underworld of darkness. As the leader of the entourage of Bacchus, Antinous is joined by the Satyrs and Maenads to celebrate the Liberation of all souls. The spirits of the dead walk among us, we dress in costumes, drink and dance in celebration of the Deification of Antinous. The Sacred Barque sets forth upon the river of the sky and all the dead who are chosen by Antinous are given a place upon his ship. This is the night when the body of Antinous began the process of mummification. The divine spirit of Antinous steps forth from this world in triumph and begins his ascent as a god through the celestial spheres. He confronts 72 archons who attempt to impede his ascent, but each of these he overcomes. The Liberalia ceremony also coincides with Halloween and is our celebration of the dead. Offerings are made for those who have passed, costumes are worn and feasting, drinking and dancing are all part of the celebration. The Liberalia is less a ceremony than a Bacchanalia party. The god-form of Antinous is as Bacchus and the festival is a representation of the “triumph” parades of Bacchus and his entourage.
    Antinous Deity – Bacchus
Secondary Deity- Santa Muerte
Ancient Text- Tebtynis
Colors- BLACK & Orange
   
 
  2) NATALIS ANTINOI – November 27th
      This is the Birthday of Antinous of Bithynia as recorded upon the Lanuvium text. We remember the Mother of Antinous and his childhood in Bithynia. Mantineia is also honored as the place from which the ancestors of Antinous came. The founder of the city, Queen Antinoe, who was led to the location where the city was to be built by a Dragon, though sometimes it is called a serpent. Mantineia was the site of a great victory of the Sacred Band of Thebes against the Spartans. And also the city is located in Arcadia which is a land traditionally considered idyllic and peaceful. The concept of New Acardia represents a state of utopia on earth where all LGBTQ and all spiritual people live in harmony with each other and with the earth and nature. Attis, the Phrygian god of Transgender people and the Great Mother Cybele are honored because the cult of the Great Mother was centered not far from Bithynia and a temple of Attis was discovered near Claudiopolis, it is believed that the cult of Attis may have been the childhood religion of Antinous. At the Natalis Antinoi, gifts can be exchanged. It is also an appropriate day for new members to make their proclamations. The altar should be decorated with pine cones and pine boughs. Deserts are offered to Antinous.
    Antinous Deity- Attis
Secondary Deity - Cybele
Ancient text – Lanuvium Inscription
Colors- BLACK & Green
  Peregrination I - ANTINOUS IN THEBES
  Peregrination II - ANTINOUS IN APAMEA
  Peregrination III - HADRIAN IN DIOSPOLIS
   
 
  3) SATURNALIA – December Solstice – December 21, 22, or 23
      We celebrate the return of the New Born Sun, Sol Invictus, and the savior gods who restore light to the world and vanquish darkness and death. The Saturnalia is the festival of Saturn the father of the gods, husband of Cybele, who once ruled over the world during the Golden Age, when there was universal peace and harmony between all people and all living things. The Saturnalia represents a return to the Idyllic state called The New Arcadia which is the Golden Age restored. Saturn is the god of time and fate, he represents the Clockwork of the Cosmos, this is the ceremony at which we align ourselves with the clockwork and pray to be in harmony with its cycles. This festival is sacred as the birth of the savior gods, Bacchus, Mithras, Osiris, Horus, Hercules, Freyr, Kristna. Antinous becomes as one with the savior gods, uniting his energy with theirs and becoming an extension of their light and power. The god form of Antinous is of Agatho Daemon, the good spirit represented as a serpent, a god of primordial forces. We commemorate the first light which came to us from the unknowable creator god who we call Atum, the Greater Eros, The Greater Pan and the Greater Narcissus. Out of chaos the first being created the bird of night named Nox and the waters of darkness called Nun, when he looked into the water he saw his own reflection and fell in love, he masturbated to himself and ejaculated his sperm into the darkness, this sperm burst into being as the god Phanes, the god of light who created the universe and dispersed the sperm of Atum throughout the cosmos. This sperm is the divine light of the gods, which we obtained through Bacchus and which is the source of Homotheosis power. It was the creed of the Orphic Cult that those who are aware of their divine origin are free from the cycles of death and reincarnation. The Saturnalia is a celebration, a Bacchanalia which includes food, drinking, dancing and all pleasures.
    Antinous Deity- Agatho Daemon
Secondary Deity – Saturn, Nox, Mithras, Eros, Osiris, Horus, Hercules, Freyr, Kristna, Phanes
Ancient Text – Sybeline Oracle
Color – BLACK & Red
  Peregrination I - ANTINOUS IN DELPHI
  Peregrination II - ANTINOUS IN EMESA
  Peregrination III - HADRIAN IN APOLLINOPOLIS
   
  APOTHEOSIS AELII – January 1st
    On this day Lucius Aelius died in the year 138 CE, he was 37 years old. In his youth he was the lover of Hadrian and most trusted confidant for the rest of his life. Lucius fell ill while on campaign on the Danube frontier and slowly deteriorated in health. On the morning of January 1st when he was due to appear before the Senate to accept the Imperial Succession he died suddenly of a hemorrhage. We regard this day as the One Day Imperium of the Flower Prince Lucius Aelius Caesar. Lucius was an early supporter of the Antinous cult and constructed Temples in his honor. We regard Lucius as one of our Imperial Gods and an older version of the divine spirit of Antinous. The Apotheosis of Aelius is celebrated as part of the New Year’s Eve celebration with food, drinking and Dancing as we celebrate the life and short reign of Lucius Aelius.
    Antinous Deity – Antinous Bacchus
Secondary Deity- Janus
Ancient Text – Life of Lucius, Vopiscus
Color- WHITE & Yellow
   
  VICTORIA ANTINOI – January 11th
    72 Days after the Death and Liberation of Antinous, he passes into the Heroic Sphere after triumphing against the 72 Archons. This is the last of the 72 days, when the final archon is overcome and Antinous steps forth from our world and enters the eternal divine realm. This day marks the end of the mummification of the body of Antinous, when Hadrian returned to Antinoopolis to complete the rituals of Apotheosis. Antinous was assumed into godliness and becomes the victorious god of his people. It was at this time that Antinous entered Mount Olympus and was accepted into the company of the eternal gods. At Dawn on this day, at the 32nd parallel, the brightest star of constellation Aquila appears in Heliacal Rising over the Eastern Horizon. This star is the brightest star located near the location of the Star of Antinous and the Constellation that was named for him. It is a significant celestial dual occurrence that the Star of Antinous appears at the Horizon exactly 72 days after his Death and Deification. We affirm our belief in Antinous as our god. A Balneum ceremony is performed at this festival and a consecration with salt. Juturna the Goddess of Fountains is worshipped on this day along with her son, Fontus the god of Baths and clean water.
    Antinous Deity- Bacchus
Secondary Deity- Juturna, Fontus
Text- Conquest over Death
Color- WHITE & Orange
   
  NATALIS AELII – January 13th
    We celebrate the birthday of the Flower Prince Lucius Aeilus Ceasar, born on the Ides of January (13th) in the year 101 CE. 854 years after the Foundation of Rome, During the 3rd year of the Imperium of Trajan. Lucius Aelius was the first lover of Hadrian and his chosen successor as Emperor, who became ill and died at the age of 37 on January 1st, the day that he was supposed to accept his elevation as Emperor. Lucius Aelius was a friend of Antinous during his life, and after Antinous died, Lucius is known to have constructed at least one Antinous Temple while he was stationed on the Danube frontier, though it is very likely that he constructed many other Temples that have not been discovered. We celebrate Lucius as the elder lover of Hadrian and as the bearded God Bacchus. He was deified upon his death and was an early supporter and promoter of the Religion of Antinous, who was his friend.
    Antinous Deity – Bacchus
Secondary Deity- Mercury
Text – Life of Lucius
Color- WHITE & Pink
   
 
  4) NATALIS HADRIANI – January 24th
      Hadrian was born on this day in the year 76 AD, in the town of Italica in Hispania. His birthday is celebrated as the true beginning of our religion as Hadrian is the founder and beloved of Antinous. It was by Hadrian’s command that the Religion of Antinous was instituted, that Antinous was deified and that the statues, temples and coins were created which spread and immortalized Antinous for all time. The Imperial Cult is honored, in which the divine emperors who watch over their people are recognized. Hadrian is the embodiment of Jupiter and so the Sky Father is celebrated on this day. The love between Jupiter and Ganymede is observed and celebrated as a metaphor for the love between Hadrian and Antinous. We sorrowfully commemorate the reinstitution in 1935 of “Paragraph 175” of the German Constitution which made homosexuality illegal and led to the death of thousands of gay men in the concentration camps. The possible super Nova of the Star of Antinous may have occurred on January 29th, as indicated by Chinese records, this event is solemnized on Hadrian’s birthday. Celebration of Gay Elders, and of effeminate gay youth and all gay men who are called Catamites.
    Antinous Deity- Catamitus
Secondary Deity- Jupiter, Eros, Catamitus
Text- Thespiae Insciption
Color- WHITE & Red
  Peregrination I - ANTINOUS IN NICOMEDIA
  Peregrination II - ANTINOUS IN TRIPOLIS
  Peregrination III - HADRIAN IN PHILAE
   
 
  5) LUPERCALIA – February 15th
      The wolf festival is one of the oldest festivals in the Roman calendar, it commemorates the founding of Rome when the twins Romulus and Remus were rescued and protected by the she-wolf. The Lupercalia is a cleansing ceremony, the end of winter and the first sign of Spring, symbolizing rebirth. A race between shirtless youths was traditional, the winner would then whip those who wish to be blessed with a strip of goatskin. A cup of goats milk is drunk communally during the ceremony in honor of Faunus and the she-wolf. The attendants are blessed with Rubrica, which is red ochre power symbolizing eternal life and vigor. This when we pray to and honor Polydeukion, who was the lover of Herodes Atticus, a friend and associate of Hadrian who imitated the religion of Antinous by deifying his own boy-lover who died unexpectedly, thereby partaking in the spirit of Homotheosis. Polydeukion represents LGBT youth, those even younger than Antinous, whom he protects and guides. During this festival we blessed and honored dogs as sacred to Antinous.
    Antinous Deity- Catamitus
Secondary Deity- Faunus, Inuus, Februus, Venus, Polydeukion
Text- Livius
Color- RED & Black
  Peregrination I - ANTINOUS IN BITHYNIUM-CLAUDIOPLIS
  Peregrination II - ANTINOUS IN HELIOPOLIS-BAALBEK
  Peregrination III - HADRIAN IN ABU SIMBEL
   
 
  6) VENATIO APRI – March Equinox, March 21st
      The Boar Hunt, our celebration of the Spring equinox, also known as the Rites of Spring, has several layers corresponding to the gods of springs to which Antinous is associated. We celebrate the Boar Hunt as portrayed on the tondo relief in Rome, one of the few known and recorded events in the life of Antinous. The Boar Hunt represents Antinous at the pinnacle of strength and vigor. Sexuality, good health and vitality are prayed for and spread among believers. The Lamentation and Resurrection of Adonis is observed, the Flower Boys such as Vertumnus, Crocus, and Calamus are commemorated, the Great mother of the gods and her transgender priest Attis are celebrated. Prayers are made to the gods of Spring, Xipe Totec, Xochipilli, and Tu-er Shen the rabbit god from whom the power to bless homosexual relationships is asked and renewed. This is also the Megalensia which is devoted to the great mother of the gods, Cybele. The great mother who is the goddess of transgender people is worshipped, her image is carried in procession and washed. Blood sacrifices were normally made to her, but wine can be substituted. The Apotheosis of Empress Sabina, the wife of Hadrian is observed as she takes her place as the incarnation of Juno in our religion. The Boar Hunt is celebrated at the beginning of Aries.
    Antinous Deity- Attis
Secondary Deities- Adonis, Vertumnus, Xipe-Totec,Tu-er Shen, Cybele, Mars, Sabina
Text- Justin Martyr
Color- RED & Green
  Peregrination I - ANTINOUS IN PESSINUS
  Peregrination II - ANTINOUS IN BIBLUS
  Peregrination III - HADRIAN IN OXYRHYNCHUS
   
 
  7) NATALIS ROMAE – April 21st
      This ceremony is a celebration of the birthday of Rome and the foundation of our Roman religion. This festival is devoted to Venus as the Goddess of love and beauty and as Mother of the Roman people. This is the festival of love and relationships where those who are seeking love ask the goddess to bless them and those who have lovers ask the goddess to bless their relationship. In this festival Antinoans restore our power and ability to draw lovers together and bless unions. The bear hunt was portrayed on the tondos in Rome showing Hadrian hunting a she-bear. Hadrian wrote a poem dedicated to eros shortly before he met Antinous were he asks Eros to be blessed with love. We observe the relationship between Callisto and Diana and how she was turned into a bear. Mars as the protector, and Vesta is worshipped as the goddess of light, purity and protection. Vertumnus is worshipped as the god of spring and Eros as the manifestation of Antinous as the god of love. The fire of Vesta is venerated with the lighting of a sacred flame.
    Antinous Deity- Eros
Secondary Deity- Venus, Juno, Diana, Mars, Vertumnus, Vesta
Text- Epiphanius
Color- RED & Purple
  Peregrination I - ANTINOUS IN PERGAMUM
  Peregrination II - ANTINOUS IN TYRE
  Peregrination III - HADRIAN IN MEMPHIS
   
  NOX BELENUS – April 30th
    The night before May 1st alternatively known as May-Eve or Walpurgis Nacht is a traditional night of magic and witchcraft, one of the most powerful nights of the year. It lies halfway between the March Equinox and the June Solstice and in the northern hemisphere marks the beginning of Summer. In modern paganism and wicca the festival is known as Beltane which is associated with a Celtic god of similar name. An inscription found at Hadrian’s Villa says that Antinous and the god Belenus are the same in beauty and age and should be worshipped as the same. Belenus is a Cisalpine Gaulish god from Northern Italy and France related to the Britannic Bel and other forms of the same deity. The Romans identified Belenus with Apollo, because he is a god of light and beauty and he rides across the sky on a solar chariot. The Night of Belenus is a fire ceremony, bonfires or torches are lit, altar lamps or candles can also be used. Two expiation candles are lit and place on the floor just far enough for a person to pass between. Antinous-Belenus is asked to cleanse and protect those who pass between the flames. The expiation flames are used to drive away all forces of evil and adversity. The Night of Belenus is also a major festival for the practice of magic and for initiations. Diana Queen of Witches and Hecate are worshipped on this evening. The Bacchanalia can be held on this night and the black goat Akerbeltz worshipped. The ceremony should be continued until sunrise, when the dew is gathered for blessing. The first rays of the sun signal the end of the ceremony.
    Antinous Deity- Belenus
Secondary Deity- Apollo, Diana, Bacchus, Hecate, Akerbeltz
Text- Antinous Belenus inscription
Color- RED & orange
   
 
  8) VENATIO TAURI – May 20th
      The Bull Hunt is observed at the end of the zodiac Taurus, representing the transition from the bull to the twins. Many coins of Antinous show a bull on the reverse or show Antinous standing beside a bull. Bull fighting was a rite of passage in ancient times when the wild aurochs still roamed the forests of Europe. The Bull Hunt also observes the Bull Slaying of Mithras and the sacred meal he shared with Helios of bull meat. Fortuna is celebrated as her cornucopia is the horn of an aurochs bull. The Apis bull of Egypt is praised and Marduk the bull of heaven, lover of Ishtar is honored. Mercury the god of commerce and messenger of Jupiter is praised along with his mother Maia. The death of Ampelos, lover of Bacchus, who was killed by a wild bull is read. Prayers against adversity and for prosperity are made as symbolized by the bull. The Two Antinoopolitan lovers are venerated as the coming sign of Gemini.
    Antinous Deity- Mercury
Secondary Deity- Mithras, Marduk, Fortuna, Apis, Ampelos, Arcas, Maia
Text- Ampelos
Color- RED & White
  Peregrination I - ANTINOUS IN SMYRNA
  Peregrination II - ANTINOUS IN PALMYRA
  Peregrination III - HADRIAN IN ALEXANDRIA
   
 
  9) HYACINTHIA – June Solstice, June 20, 21, 22nd
      This is a celebration of the beginning of the love between Hadrian and Antinous, commemorating when they first met in Bithynia. The Summer Solstice represents the pinnacle of the year when the sun has reached its zenith, the height of summer and goodness. This is the season sacred to Apollo god of music and poetry, who was assimilated with Helios and became the god of the sun. Apollo is also the god of learning and wisdom and was the primary god of philosophers. The Summer solstice also represents the turning of the sun, when it stands still in the sky having risen higher each day, it now stops its ascent and reverses, moving further south each dawn. This event is considered symbolic of the discus game between Apollo and his lover Hyacinthus in which jealous Zephyrus blew the discus off course so that it fell upon Hyacinthus and killed the beautiful boy. Re-Harakte the Egyptian god of the sun who is named on the Obelisk of Antinous is praised along with Horus, the son of Osiris, protector of humanity against the forces of evil. Juno as the goddess of June and mother goddess of the Olympians is venerated. This is also the celebration of the Star of Antinous which rises higher and higher in the night sky as of this time. The power of Homotheosis is celebrated as the power which dwells in all LGBT people. The Goddess Juno is worshipped as Queen of the Gods. The Summer Solstice also symbolizes the Antinoan celebration of Gay Pride because the Stonewall Riots occurred shortly after the solar zenith. The Incipere Amoris is a time when new relationships are consecrated, or marriages blessed. This is a fire blessing ceremony. White Candles are lit from the altar lamp
    Antinous Deity- Apollo
Secondary Deity- Juno, Isis, Hyacinthus, Re-Harakte, Horus, Ganymede, Vesta
Text- Hymnus, Prudentius, Dio Casius
Color- WHITE & Yellow
  Peregrination I - ANTINOUS IN EPHESUS
  Peregrination II - ANTINOUS IN PETRA
  Peregrination III - HADRIAN IN ATHENS
   
  APOTHEOSIS HADRIANI – July 10th
    The Imperial Ascension and Apotheosis of Hadrian is celebrated on this day. On August 8th, 117, Hadrian ascended to the Imperial throne after the death of his uncle Trajan. The following year, on August 9th 118, he returned to Rome and was consecrated as Emperor and Pontifex Maximus by the Senate. Then 21 years later, on July 10th 138, Hadrian died while recuperating from prolonged illness at a villa in Baiae south of Rome. It is a great and sacred coincidence that the 8th, 9th and 10th days of July were sacred days in the life of Hadrian, the beloved of Antinous and the founder of our religion. After Hadrian's death, his successor, Antoninus Pius had him deified in a ceremony of Apotheosis. Temple of the divine Hadrian were constructed all over the Roman world. We honor Hadrian as our divine Emperor, eternal father of our country, founder of the religion and as the one whom Antinous loved. We venerate Hadrian as the living incarnation of Jupiter Capitolinus, the New Zeus. We honor older men and ask the gods to bless them with wisdom, health and power. We honor Juno as the Queen of the gods and pray to Sabina as her eternal representative. Members of the Antinous religion who are willing to take part in the Imperial Cult, swear allegiance to Hadrian as our eternal Emperor.
    Antinous Deity- Apollo
Secondary Deity- Jupiter, Minerva, Juno,
Text- Vita Hadriani
Color- WHITE & Black
   
 
  10) INUNDATIO NILII – July 25th
      The Inundation of the Nile begins on the traditional date when the Dog Star, Sirius, also known as Sothis was observed to rise above the Eastern Horizon just before dawn. The rising of Sirius was the sign that signaled the flooding of the Nile. For three years the Nile had not flooded adequately to irrigate the fields and so the harvest had been diminished for three years previous to the death of Antinous...widespread famine and starvation across the entire Roman world was emanant. For this reason, when a new star appeared in the sky and then the Nile flood inundated the fields of Egypt, it was proclaimed as a second miracle of Antinous who had become as one with Osiris, the entire Roman world was saved from starvation. The creation of the universe is observed. The sacred barque is venerated, and the river gods are prayed to. Neptune as father of the seas and fivers is prayed to for cleansing and protection. A bowl rainwater is blessed by adding a few drops of sacred river water or sea water, then salt is added to the water and it is then blessed in the name of Neptune and the River Gods. The bowl is passed around and each member cleans their hands in the water and a few drops as sprinkled over them with a twig of leaves.
    Antinous Deity- Osiris
Secondary Deity- Nefertem, Atun, Neptune, Hapy and the River Gods
Text- Sothis Prayer, Sacred Barque, Epiphanius of Salamis, Ptolemy Star of Antinous
Color- WHITE & Blue
  Peregrination I - ANTINOUS IN TARSUS
  Peregrination II - ANTINOUS IN AELIA CAPITOLINA
  Peregrination III - HADRIAN IN ROME
   
  NATALIS DIANAE – August 19th
    The birthday of Diana is celebrated. Diana is the queen of hunters and Queen of Witches, This is the day on which the tradition of Antinous witchcraft is celebrated. Diana is the sister of Antinous as celebrated by the inscription of Lanuvium. This is the Lesbian festival, when Lesbian members of the religion and priest – priestesses of Diana take charge and bless the Antinous religion on behalf of the dark mother. The horned god Lucifer is praised and worshipped. The Queen of witches Hecate is worshipped, and ceremonies are conducted in her honor. Antinous worshipped as Lunus the god of the moon. The nocturnal aspects of Antinous and his relationship to Diana are celebrated. This is the festival of the blessings of animals. The Benevolent Society of Antinous and Diana is honored.
    Antinous Deity- Lunus
Secondary Deity- Diana, Lucifer, Hecate
Text- Love Spell
Color- WHITE & Brown
   
 
  11) VENATIO LEONIS – August 22nd
      The Lion Hunt, this is one of the most important ceremonies of the year because it observes the event when a man-eating lion had been ravaging the population of Western Egypt and Hadrian took up the challenge to hunt and conquer the beast. It is written by the poet Athenaeus that Antinous bravely charged against the lion but only wounded it, and that he would have been killed had Hadrian not intervened and killed the lion. From the blood of the Lion, pink lotus flowers sprouted, these flowers were offered to Antinous and became his symbol. The Lion Hunt was one of the last events of Antinous’s life before he died, acting courageously in the face of danger, for us it is a celebration of his power and a call for courage within ourselves. The miracle of the lotus flower is celebrated as the symbol of Homotheosis. The Goddess Diana is venerated at this ceremony because her birthday is on August 16th just a few days earlier. The god form of Antinous during the Lion hunt is as Hercules who killed the Nemean Lion and wore its impenetrable skin as his armor. Alexander the Great and Hephaestion are venerated. The Sacred Band of Thebes is honored, and all gay Heroes are celebrated. Every four years, the Sacred Games of Antinous are held during the Lion Hunt. The Lion Hunt is held at the end of the zodiac Leo to mark the symbolic death of the celestial lion.
    Antinous Deity- Hercules
Secondary Deity- Diana, Hercules, Alexander, Hephestion
Text- Lion Hunt poem, Athenaeus, Diocletian
Color- RED & Pink
  Peregrination I - ANTINOUS IN ROME
  Peregrination II - ANTINOUS IN ANTIOCH
  Peregrination III - ANTINOUS IN ALEXANDRIA
   
  SACRED GAMES - Every four years
   
 
  12) VENATIO CERVI – September Equinox, September 21, 22, or 23rd
      This ceremony is the Stag Hunt, symbolizing when Antinous hunted the sacred stag, which is a love and sexual metaphor for gay men. The Stag representing beautiful gay men. Diana is worshipped as the goddess of the hunting season and Cernunnus as the Horned god of the wild. The Antinous god-form of this season is Sylvanus, the god of the forest because Antinous is shown standing in his posture cutting the vine accompanied by a dog. Sylvanus was the lover of Cyparisus who lost his beloved stag and died out of grief, Sylvanus turned him into the cypress tree. This is also when the Mysteries of Eleusis are celebrated during the first year of the Peregrination cycle. While in Athens, Hadrian and Antinous were initiated into the Mysteries of Eleusis and shown the secrets of the underworld as revealed by Demeter and Persephone. During the second year of the Peregrination we commemorate the event when Hadrian and Antinous climbed Mount Casius. They climbed the sacred mountain at night by torch light in order to reach the summit before sunrise. At the top of the mountain was a temple to the god known as Zeus Casios, an ancient form of Jupiter going back to the dawn of civilization, known locally as Hazziz, Teshub, and later as Baal Zaphon, the Greeks translated the name Hazziz as Casios. While Hadrian and Antinous and the court were performing a ceremony on the mountain top, a bolt of lightning suddenly struck and killed the priest and the sacrificial animal. From this point onward the journey East was beset by hardships, showing both the blessing and the struggle that comes with being chosen by the gods. The people of Antinous are the chosen people of the gay god, and therefore we are given boundless blessings but also great struggles to endure. During the third year of the Peregrination we observe the event that occurred while Antinous and Hadrian were in Heliopolis, the Egyptian city of the sun. Egyptian magicians came to Hadrian’s court and said that if a man were willing to freely offer his life as a willing sacrifice that they could transfer the years that this man was meant to live to Hadrian and prolong his life. Hadrian jokingly asked the court if there were any volunteers, all were silent, but then Antinous stepped forward and said that he would sacrifice his life willingly. Hadrian was not amused and dismissed the magicians. Shortly thereafter however, Antinous fell into the Nile and drowned. Minerva as Goddess of Spiders is honored and a prayer made to the Spider of Antinous. We honor the boy Lucius Vitalis, a friend of Antinous who died in Athens and represents LGBT youth.
    Antinous Deity- Silvanus
Secondary - Diana, Cernunos, Minerva, Cyparissus, Pan, Jupiter, Teshub, Baal Zaphon, Demeter, Proserpina, Lucius Vitalis, Re-Harakte
Text- Spartianus, Aurelius Victor,Vitalis
Color- BLACK & Brown
  Peregrination I - ANTINOUS IN ATHENS
  Peregrination II- ANTINOUS AT MOUNT CASIUS
  Peregrination III - ANTINOUS IN HELIOPOLIS
   
 
  13) MORTUUS ANTINOUS – October 28th
      The Death of Antinous is observed on this evening at sundown, which begins the Sacred Nights of Antinous. While traveling upstream upon the Nile, the Imperial court stopped at Hermopolis to visit the temple of Thoth and celebrate the death and resurrection of Osiris. His body was found on the shore of the Nile river opposite Hermopolis. Hadrian wept like a woman in front of the entire court and visiting dignitaries. The local people began to wail for Antinous and proclaimed that he had become as one with Osiris and would arise as a god. We believe that on this night Antinous began his descent into the underworld and crossed the river styx into the Kingdom of the Dead. At the moment during the ceremony when we proclaim that Antinous has died, his altar images are covered with black cloth and the sacred Lucerna lamp is extinguished. Hades the lord of the underworld is prayed to along with his Queen Proserpina. The Mexican Goddess of Death, Santa Muerte is prayed to protect all gay people in the world from violence and the watch over those who have passed over to her realm. Prayers are said for the gay victims of the Holocaust, and those who were burned at the stake as sodomites. The names of all LGBTQ people who have been killed over the past year as victims of homophobic violence are solemnly read, along with those who have committed suicide. It is our belief that Antinous returns upon the Barque of Millions of Years to the dark banks of the River Styx and gathers the souls of all his people who are lost and waiting on the shore. He gives them a place on his heavenly ship of eternal bliss. He then sails across the river and calls the names of all those of his people who have passed over to join him. A prayer is made to Osiris to receive Antinous and all those who are his people and make them as one with him in godliness. The ceremony ends solemnly without any celebration afterward.
    Antinous Deity- Antinous Osiris
Secondary Deity- Hades, Proserpina, Santa Muerte
Text-, Tebtynis
Color- BLACK & Blue
  Peregrination III - ANTINOUS IN HERMOPOLIS
   
  ANTINOUS IN REGNUM MORTIS – October 29th
    Antinous in the Underworld. Antinous is met at the shore of the river Styx by Hermanubis and led into the underworld. When he is confronted by the gatekeepers, he reads the Orphic creed and is allowed to pass with his identity intact. He then appears before the Lords of the scales of Maat, and his spirit is immediately found to be pure and divine. Hermanubis escorts Antinous into the Hall of the King and Queen of the Dead, Osiris-Hades and Isis-Proserpina, where it is found that he is a witness of the Mysteries of Eleusis, and that he holds the semen of the first god within his heart and has always been a god from the day he was born. Antinous obtains from Isis-Proserpina the pomegranate of immortality. At midnight, Osiris holds out his hand and Antinous becomes as one with the Lord of the Underworld, Antinous becomes a god. At midnight Antinous begins his ascent from the underworld, taking with him the sprits of all LGBTQ dead. The entourage of Bacchus attend his resurrection and he is reborn as the New Osiris-Dionysus. This is the last day of the Ecclesiastic Year, it is spent in darkness and in solemn devotion as Antinous journeys through the underworld, we confront the weakness of being without our god, we reflect on the passage of the year, and on the influence of Antinous upon our lives, and we pray for the triumph of his return. No ceremony is conducted. A vigil reading and prayer of the Antinous beads is made. Those who wish to make amends for past wrong-doings are able to make confession to a consecrated priest who is sworn to secrecy and be absolved. Their names are written on a piece of paper or papyrus and burned in a sacred fire.
    Antinous Deity- Antinous Osiris
Secondary Deity- Hades, Proserpina, Hermanubis
Text- Prayer Beads
Color- BLACK & Grey
   
 
   
   
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