Foreign priesthoods (Nova Roma)

Latest revision as of 13:12, 3 February 2010

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For traditional State Priests and Priesthoods within Nova Roma, see Priests and Priesthoods.

While the goal of Nova Roma is to reconstruct the traditional religio Romana, we understand that the ancient "foreign" religions were an important part of the cosmopolitan Roman experience for centuries. Therefore, as part of our effort to reconstruct Roman religion and culture, Nova Roma makes foreign cults and priesthoods available within our public community.

Foreign cults may only become a part of the public Nova Roman community through formal application to the Senate and collegium pontificum of Nova Roma. These cults are separate and autonomous from the religio Romana. However they are subject to Nova Roman law, decisions by senatus consultum issued by the Nova Roman Senate, and to decreta issued by the collegium pontificum. Once accepted, foreign cults must submit a report to the Nova Roma Senate and to the collegium pontificum once yearly to satisfy modern incorporation requirements.

Applying for Priesthood

Nova Roma will accept applications for various 'foreign' and provincial priesthoods. As priesthoods available to the citizens of Nova Roma are important, we do ask that applicants for foreign and provincial priesthoods meet the following guidelines. Any questions about priesthood should be directed to the collegium pontificum.

If you would like to become a priest or priestess in Nova Roma, please submit an application.

Foreign Cults

The "foreign" cults include religions that came to Rome from other countries and were never completely adopted as part of the official religio Romana, as well as the cults of deities that were specific to the various provinciae. Generally such priesthoods are a sacerdos position, unless there is another specific historical title.

Greco-Roman Cults

Apollon

Apollinis Templi Sacerdotes (priests who tend the temple of Apollo)

• Cyrene Lucretia Corva Apollinaris

Bacchic Mysteries

Mystagogos (Priest who leads others in initiation)

Eleusinian Mysteries

Mystagogos (Priest who leads others in initiation)

Romano-Persian Cults

Mithraic Mysteries

Mystagogos (Priest who leads others in initiation)

Sacerdos Mithrae (without specific function assigned)

• Sibylla Ambrosia Flavia

Orphic Mysteries

Mystagogos (Priest who leads others in initiation)

Mysteries of Magna Mater

Archigalli (senior priests who are responsible for performing the Taurobolium sacrifice)

Galii (eunuch-priests-- cannot be Citizens of Rome)

Sacerdotes Magnae Matris (ordinary priests and priestesses)

• Quinta Iulia Caesar

Romano-Egyptian Cults

Mysteries of Isis and Serapis

Sacerdotes Isidis et Serapidis (ordinary priests and priestesses of Isis and Serapis):

• Gaius Cordius Symmachus

Foreign Provincial Sacerdotes (minor priesthoods)

As with the Roman deities there are a vast number of provincial deities that were part of the religio Romana on a local level only. These priesthoods would include the worship of deities from provinces including Britannia, Gallia, Germania, Hispania, Numidia, etc. The foreign sacerdotes are the lesser "everyday" priesthoods that tended provincial temples and shrines, maintain the worship of a deity, and who assist the populace with their worship of that deity.