Processions of the Arathracian Religion

Since ancient times, Arathracians have honored the gods of the sun with solemn processions of the high priests, priests, and honorees, leading up to the local temple.

Processions can be classified as either the Grand Procession or the Petty Procession. Grand Processions are characterized by solemn procession of the local patriarch and clergy from town square to the Temple of Arathrax. Bearers in the procession carry a palanquin holding the image of the god Arathrax and images of other divinities and saints.

Grand Processions

• Winter Solstice, the Birthday of Arathrax
• Spring Equinox
• Summer Solstice
• Autumn Equinox
• Birthday of Aireánnau
• Birthdays of Eight Sons of Aireánnau

Petty Processions

• Birthday of living Sunfather
• Major Saint's Day, other than Aireánnau and her eight sons
• New Sunmoon (at midnight with many lanterns and golden candles lit). Usually about five of these per year
• Sollevation of local patriarch
• Annunciation of Aireánnau
• Deliverance of Aireánnau
• Ascent of Aireánnau

Participants in Processions

• Aquilary (Gweiviadh): The man who bears the standard of Skiánthra, Lord of Golden Eaglekind, the totemic creature of the god, Arathrax
• Filiary (Dailgiogha): The woman who bears the standard of Saint Aireánnau Mother of the Folk.
• Arathraciary: One of eight men who take turns bearing the image of the sun god, Arathrax. The god is portrayed crowned, standing on a background of a flourishing sun emblem, usually created with metallic gold.
• Solifer: One of eight men who simultaneously bear a rather large image of the glorious sun over-imposed by the image of Arathrax driving the chariot of the sun with eight pairs of solar horses drawing the chariot. Often, Skiánthra is shown perched in the chariot or flying aloft.
• Imaginifer: The man who bears the image of the current Sunfather.
• Baptist: Arathracian priest who officiates lustrations for worshipers. When these priests participate, they sprinkle old holy water in the path of the procession as this is one of the few approved manners in which to dispose of holy water.

See Also

• Arathracian Religion
• Prostration of the Community