| Subject: |
Re: [novaroma] TEMPLE OF RELIGIO ROMANA |
| From: |
"Gaius Marius Merullus" <c_marius_m@novaroma.org> |
| Date: |
Fri, 11 Jan 2002 21:40:15 -0500 |
|
Salvete Antonia Cornelia et alii
First of all, the views that I put forth below are my own. I am not
pretending to speak for anyone else, or to be an authority of any kind. I
am also not trying to be argumentative, but I do feel a need to respond and
voice my own skepticism about the notion of practicing religio romana in a
congregational format.
I am curious about these services, because, based on my limited
understanding of religio romana, it seems contradictory to have Sunday
services without incorporating modern practices.
>From the little that I have read, such as "Religions of Rome" by Beard,
North and Price, religio romana had festivals on certain days of the year,
sacred to specific deities. People witnessed sacrifices to those deities on
the days of the major public festivals. The private aspect of religio
romana seems to have consisted mainly of sacrificing to the spirits of one's
ancestors, and home, on a daily basis; there was also overlap between the
public and the private, particularly in the cases of the Parentalia and
Lemuria (ROR vol. I p. 50). I don't know the origins of the weekly
congregation, with either mass rituals or moral/philosophical lecturing, or
some combination of those, but it is a feature of modern judaism and
christianity, certainly. It is a good thing in many ways, but it does not
seem, to me, to be at all Roman.
One problem with reconstruction of religio romana is that faithful
reconstruction of it does not lend itself to Sunday fellowship. In the
ancient city, Romans were all Romans, more or less; of course there were
huge social divisions, the likes of which no modern person could probably
understand, let alone live with, most notably free vs. slave, and male vs.
female with the males dominating all aspects of public life. But in terms
of religion, it pervaded life to a greater extent than in modern western
societies, and seems to have been a major part of common identity as Roman.
A Roman today, however, does not live in the ancient city, surrounded by
other Romans and having a fixed social place from cradle to urn. Instead,
he or she lives in the midst of other people, who follow a variety of other
religions that have little in common with religio romana. One could strive
to build a Roman church and meet there on Sunday, but this has been done for
at least 1,600 years. It seems pointless to compete with the Roman Catholic
Church, doesn't it? There's an institution that's not going anywhere,
barring nuclear war or the crash of an asteroid. For the ancient Romans, at
least before the principate, the city itself was like one great church, and
private homes had a focus that sort of mirrored the larger one.
Romans cannot today be more than little islands scattered through vast
oceans. A few weeks ago, the Pontifex Maximus of Nova Roma asked about
interest in online practice of Roman rites. While this will not give Romans
Sunday fellowship, it would perhaps be a good step toward a different kind
of fellowship. If interest and participation are high enough, this may
provide an incentive to organize more public rituals, throughout the
provinces (and I know that there already have been some). We also have our
own home rites. Offerings to the lares and penates, and the patrons of our
gentes, also do not provide fellowship, of course, but they offer a simple
but very fulfilling, in my admittedly imperfect experience, communion with
the spirits of one's own family and land. Whereas the modern,
Judeo-Christian weekly gathering is largely passive, with one or a few
clerics ministering on behalf of a large number, reconstruction of the home
rites makes each Roman his or her own priest, preparing the texts of the
prayers, selecting the offerings, and doing the thing.
I hope that you will post more about your services. I would very much like
to be optimistic about the notion of practicing religio romana in a
congregational format.
Valete
C Marius Merullus
:
:I am pleased to announce the formation of the Temple
:of Religio Romana. Services will commence on a twice
:monthly basis beginning on Sunday, February 10 at 1:00
:p.m. and to be held each second and fourth Sunday of
:the month thereafter. Services will take place in
:southern California. It is my intent to present the
:services in accordance with the ancient practices
:incorporating as few as possible additional modern
:practices to enhance it's place in our present
:society. Services will be for one hour followed by
:snacks, beverages and fellowship. All cives are
:welcome to attend. For further information please
:feel free to email Romancivis@aol.com or call the
:business line at 714/734-6616. The fax number is
:714/734-6602.
:
:Bene Valete,
:
:Antonia Cornelia Octavia
:
|
| Subject: |
[novaroma] Curator Differium |
| From: |
Shane Evans <marcusafricanus@yahoo.com> |
| Date: |
Fri, 11 Jan 2002 19:17:14 -0800 (PST) |
|
COuld the previous Curator Differium please contact me?
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail!
http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/
|
| Subject: |
[novaroma] CANDIDATE SUPPORT |
| From: |
"Prometheus" <marcusprometheus@yahoo.com> |
| Date: |
Sat, 12 Jan 2002 01:10:37 +0100 |
|
Marcus Prometheus omnibus SPD.
I Support Franciscus Apulus Caesar
as Candidate to Propraetorship of Provincia Italia.
He is full of goodwill to do, and as Propraetor could do much to estabilish
Italia as a more active Province in NovaRoma.
Marcus Prometheus
|
| Subject: |
[novaroma] Back Home at last. |
| From: |
"gaiusafricanus" <geovdh20@netscape.net> |
| Date: |
Sat, 12 Jan 2002 03:37:54 -0000 |
|
Salvett et al!
After retiring last February my family and I took some time traveling
to Europe, Hawii, and the East Coast of US. We are finally home and I
am very happy to be back. I am looking forward to getting reaquainted
with old friends and up-to-date on what is hapening in Nova Roma. We
are working on a web-site for Gens Africana Secunda.
May the Gods of Rome look upon you all with favor.
G. Africanus Secundus
|
| Subject: |
[novaroma] Re: Back Home at last. |
| From: |
"pompeia_cornelia" <trog99@hotmail.com> |
| Date: |
Sat, 12 Jan 2002 14:55:20 -0000 |
|
---Well, Salve Stranger!
I was wondering why we hadn't heard from you and what you've been up
to lately.
I wish you every happiness in your retirement, Gai Africane.
Bene vale,
Pompeia Cornelia
In novaroma@y..., "gaiusafricanus" <geovdh20@n...> wrote:
> Salvett et al!
>
> After retiring last February my family and I took some time
traveling
> to Europe, Hawii, and the East Coast of US. We are finally home and
I
> am very happy to be back. I am looking forward to getting
reaquainted
> with old friends and up-to-date on what is hapening in Nova Roma. We
> are working on a web-site for Gens Africana Secunda.
>
> May the Gods of Rome look upon you all with favor.
>
> G. Africanus Secundus
|
| Subject: |
[novaroma] Re: CANDIDATE SUPPORT |
| From: |
"pompeia_cornelia" <trog99@hotmail.com> |
| Date: |
Sat, 12 Jan 2002 14:57:40 -0000 |
|
---
Salve Marcus Prometheus:
And where in tarnation have you been lately (big grin!) besides in
Italia?
Hope all is well......and don't be such a stranger, ok?
Pompeia Cornelia
In novaroma@y..., "Prometheus" <marcusprometheus@y...> wrote:
> Marcus Prometheus omnibus SPD.
>
> I Support Franciscus Apulus Caesar
> as Candidate to Propraetorship of Provincia Italia.
>
> He is full of goodwill to do, and as Propraetor could do much to
estabilish
> Italia as a more active Province in NovaRoma.
>
> Marcus Prometheus
|
| Subject: |
[novaroma] ATTN: Academia Thules' Grand Opening |
| From: |
=?iso-8859-1?q?Gnaeus=20Salix=20Astur?= <salixastur@yahoo.es> |
| Date: |
Sat, 12 Jan 2002 21:52:02 +0000 (GMT) |
|
Cn. Salix Astur N.R. Civibus S.P.D.
I come in front of you to announce the opening of a new organization
within Nova Roma: the Academia Thules ad Studia Romana Antiqua et Nova
(the Academy of Thule for Ancient and New Roman Studies).
The Academia (as those who have been working on its creation
affectionately refer to it) is a new project in education; an open,
completely online university that will provide courses on Roman (both
ancient and new) history and culture for all those who are willing to
learn.
The first course of the Academia will consist on a basic course about
Nova Roma herself. This course, aimed at citizens of Nova Roma both new
and old, will cover many aspects of the organization of our Res
Publica, and is thought to provide a precise and extensive vision of
everything that Nova Roma has to offer. This first course will be
lectured by Titus Labienus Fortunatus, an experienced citizen and
politician whose simple name is an indication of quality.
The Basic Course about Nova Roma will start accepting students today,
on January the 12th. The precise dates for this first course (Basic
Course about Nova Roma) are as follows:
Official first date of accepting students (first course): January 12th
Final date for accepting students (first course): January 26th
Starting date of the first course: January 28th
The end date of the first course: April 5th
This first Basic Course about Nova Roma will last for ten weeks, with a
precise schedule divided into weekly lessons, and each lesson followed
by discussion between students and lector. To subscribe, or to simply
explore what the Academia has to offer, please visit:
http://www.insulaumbra.com/academiathules/
If you have any further questions, please contact me at:
salixastur@yahoo.es
Thank you for your time. I hope that you find the Academia project
interesting, and I hope to see *you* soon among our students.
=====
Bene Valete in Pace Deorum!
Gnaeus Salix Astur.
Tribunus Plebis
Legatus Externis Rebus Provinciae Hispaniae
Triumvir Academiae Novae Romae in Thule
Scriba ad Res Externas Academiae Novae Romae in Thule
Lictor Curiatus.
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Everything you'll ever need on one web page
from News and Sport to Email and Music Charts
http://uk.my.yahoo.com
|
| Subject: |
[novaroma] Re: TEMPLE OF RELIGIO ROMANA |
| From: |
"arloro1" <antoniuscorvusseptimius@yahoo.com> |
| Date: |
Sat, 12 Jan 2002 22:10:37 -0000 |
|
A. Corvus Septimius G. Marius Merullus iC
>Salvete Antonia Cornelia et alii
>
>First of all, the views that I put forth below are my own. I am not
>pretending to speak for anyone else, or to be an authority of any
kind. I
>am also not trying to be argumentative, but I do feel a need to
respond and
>voice my own skepticism about the notion of practicing religio romana
in a
>congregational format.
>
>I am curious about these services, because, based on my limited
>understanding of religio romana, it seems contradictory to have
Sunday
>services without incorporating modern practices.
Septimius: Why would this seem contradictory?
>
>From the little that I have read, such as "Religions of Rome" by
Beard,
>North and Price, religio romana had festivals on certain days of the
year,
>sacred to specific deities. People witnessed sacrifices to those
deities
>on
>the days of the major public festivals. The private aspect of
religio
>romana seems to have consisted mainly of sacrificing to the spirits
of
>one's
>ancestors, and home, on a daily basis; there was also overlap
between the
>public and the private, particularly in the cases of the Parentalia
and
>Lemuria (ROR vol. I p. 50).
Septimius: Keep in mind that if we are to incorporate ourselves into
society, we must present ourselves in a cohesive manner.And, even
though
there will be private rituals every morning in our respective homes,
observances of festivals on the day of that festival, and other
celebrations. We do still need a focal point from which we are to
incorporate ourselves into the current society.
I don't know the origins of the weekly
>congregation, with either mass rituals or moral/philosophical
lecturing, or
>some combination of those, but it is a feature of modern judaism and
>christianity, certainly. It is a good thing in many ways, but it
does not
>seem, to me, to be at all Roman.
Septimius: why wouldnt it be Roman to show the gods, not only on a
daily
basis.But as a community that we have not turned away from them?
>
>One problem with reconstruction of religio romana is that faithful
>reconstruction of it does not lend itself to Sunday fellowship.
Septimius: Why not? (Remember that I am not trying to argue.. or
frighten
anyone in any way) :)
In the
>ancient city, Romans were all Romans, more or less;
Septimius: Unfortunately, we no longer have the luxury of being the
state
religion. So, having Sunday (Sat... or whichever) fellowship will
give us the sence of community again.
of course there were
>huge social divisions, the likes of which no modern person could
probably
>understand, let alone live with, most notably free vs. slave, and
male vs.
>female with the males dominating all aspects of public life. But in
terms
>of religion, it pervaded life to a greater extent than in modern
western
>societies, and seems to have been a major part of common identity as
Roman.
>A Roman today, however, does not live in the ancient city,
surrounded by
>other Romans and having a fixed social place from cradle to urn.
Septimius: there are plenty Romans living in the ancient city. I spoke
with
a few just yesterday (my cousins). And, a fixed social place is what
we have
begun, here in Southern California.
Instead,
>he or she lives in the midst of other people, who follow a variety of
other
>religions that have little in common with religio romana. One could
strive
>to build a Roman church and meet there on Sunday, but this has been
done
>for
>at least 1,600 years. It seems pointless to compete with the Roman
>Catholic
>Church, doesn't it?
Septimius: Well speaking for myself, this is not in compitition with
anyone.
There's an institution that's not going anywhere,
>barring nuclear war or the crash of an asteroid.
Septimius: We are not wishing or hoping anyone ill. We are simply
taking the
next step, and presenting ourselves (as part of a unit) into society.
For the ancient Romans, at
>least before the principate, the city itself was like one great
church, and
>private homes had a focus that sort of mirrored the larger one.
>
>Romans cannot today be more than little islands scattered through
vast
>oceans. A few weeks ago, the Pontifex Maximus of Nova Roma asked
about
>interest in online practice of Roman rites. While this will not give
>Romans
>Sunday fellowship, it would perhaps be a good step toward a different
kind
>of fellowship. If interest and participation are high enough, this
may
>provide an incentive to organize more public rituals, throughout the
>provinces (and I know that there already have been some).
Septimius: Nova Roma has been up and running for 4 years. Its about
time
that something of this nature happened.
We also have our
>own home rites. Offerings to the lares and penates, and the patrons
of our
>gentes, also do not provide fellowship, of course, but they offer a
simple
>but very fulfilling, in my admittedly imperfect experience, communion
with
>the spirits of one's own family and land.
Septimius: I think that it would be wonderful to (after my home
rituals) to
join my other fellow Romans in a united worship of our gods.It seems
in
thios thought that we differ. But, to each their own. :)
Whereas the modern,
>Judeo-Christian weekly gathering is largely passive, with one or a
few
>clerics ministering on behalf of a large number, reconstruction of
the home
>rites makes each Roman his or her own priest, preparing the texts of
the
>prayers, selecting the offerings, and doing the thing.
Septimius: Simply because we have chosen Sundays (more days will be
added Im
sure) does not mean that we are basing anything on the way Judaism is
observed, or Christianity for that matter.
>
>I hope that you will post more about your services. I would very
much like
>to be optimistic about the notion of practicing religio romana in a
>congregational format.
>
>Valete
>
>C Marius Merullus
>
>
Dii te ament, Septimius
|
