Pythagorean Via of T::E::T::M::
The Pythagorean Mysteries are a complete ritual path, which starts from the beginning, that is, the unconsciousness, and leads to the peak, meaning that, the seeker becomes a resident of the Islands-of-the-Blessed.
The Pythagorean Order <Ermeas TrisMegistos> does not claim exclusive paternity of its rites because they are a reconstruction of the ancient rites combined with certain elements from other traditions, such as Freemasonry, Martinism, Rosicrucianism, Alchemy, as well as the Orthodox & Catholic Church.
Such eclecticism was practiced by Pythagoras himself, when he combined elements from all the traditions in which he had been initiated (and perhaps even from some in which he was not initiated but aware of their elements), in order to create his own vehicle of the timeless Mysteries.
The same happened with the founders of the modern Pythagorean Order who reconstructed the previous vehicle, by injecting elements from relevant initiatory traditions of which they had intimate knowledge, as well as manifestations of which they were not initiates but had academic knowledge about, such as rites performed within the Christian currents.
In addition, they integrated original sources, such as elements from the Basilica of Porta Maggiore in Rome. After all, these ancient rites depicted there are illustrations of the Mysteries founded by Pythagoras, and therefore a combination of what he knew and was initiated into.
The Pythagorean Order <Ermeas TrisMegistos> does not claim exclusive paternity of its rites because they are a reconstruction of the ancient rites combined with certain elements from other traditions, such as Freemasonry, Martinism, Rosicrucianism, Alchemy, as well as the Orthodox & Catholic Church.
Such eclecticism was practiced by Pythagoras himself, when he combined elements from all the traditions in which he had been initiated (and perhaps even from some in which he was not initiated but aware of their elements), in order to create his own vehicle of the timeless Mysteries.
The same happened with the founders of the modern Pythagorean Order who reconstructed the previous vehicle, by injecting elements from relevant initiatory traditions of which they had intimate knowledge, as well as manifestations of which they were not initiates but had academic knowledge about, such as rites performed within the Christian currents.
In addition, they integrated original sources, such as elements from the Basilica of Porta Maggiore in Rome. After all, these ancient rites depicted there are illustrations of the Mysteries founded by Pythagoras, and therefore a combination of what he knew and was initiated into.
Emile Dantinne, together with co-founder François Soetewey, and Dantinne's successor Jean Mallinger, did tremendous scholarly work in combining all the authentic elements known to them, when in 1919 the modern version of the Pythagorean Order was launched, reaching into present day and legitimately represented by the <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos>.
This is a truth that the Pythagorean Order never concealed.
Some inspirations from enlightened past members have been added to the rites, but these are few and do not differentiate their essence.
If a seeker belonging to another Order should partake in the rites of the <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos>, elements from the tradition of which she or he hails may very well be identified.
The <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos> remains open to add to its ritual curriculum a Truth presented to it by other sources which it respects and acknowledges, such as from the findings of modern science.
This is a truth that the Pythagorean Order never concealed.
Some inspirations from enlightened past members have been added to the rites, but these are few and do not differentiate their essence.
If a seeker belonging to another Order should partake in the rites of the <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos>, elements from the tradition of which she or he hails may very well be identified.
The <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos> remains open to add to its ritual curriculum a Truth presented to it by other sources which it respects and acknowledges, such as from the findings of modern science.
What is worth describing are the Principles on which the navigation of the Order’s boat is practiced, both Esoterically and Exoterically.
Four key Principles will be mentioned:
Ι
Dr. Christian Anthonis, a Global Head Instructor of the Order, made a major incision by removing from the rites the mediator between the Divine level and the Temple participants, in order to being them into closer harmony with the Divine source.
Consequently, in the rites of the <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos> there is no person to represent the Divine level.
The one who conducts the rites is a servant of both the Divine level and the Temple’s participants.
The ritual movements are conducted almost by themselves and the Temple is charged by the energy of the Archetypes, so that the participating members have the opportunity to resonate with them, without anyone bearing responsibility for their coordination. That is, the identification of each member with the Divine level is an exclusively individual process.
ΙΙ
The rites of the <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos> aim at the creation of the Body-of-Light.
This creation evolves and takes place gradually through the initiations and nourishment by the initiatic actions from the rites of the Order, which are performed on a weekly frequent and regular basis.
Using, in all the rites of the Order, the four Pythagorean Elements (Fire - Air - Water - Earth), the creation of the Body-of-Light takes place, so that the member, when this achievement is completed, becomes a link in the celestial Brotherhood.
Supporting this process is the acceptance of all aspects of the psyche.
Every aspect of the psyche, through acceptance, can be a useful tool in this creation.
The <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos> advocates that there are no good and bad psychic aspects (attributes), instead all can be useful tools in building the Body-of-Light.
Consciousness makes the difference.
The transmutation of unconscious-disharmoniously-expressed psychic aspects into consciously-harmoniously-expressed aspects, is a basic alchemical labour which takes place in the Alchemical Furnace, that is, within the framework of the rites of the <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos>.
ΙΙΙ
The only fee requested by the <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos> for the Esoteric – Initiatory Support it offers to its members is merely their dedicated diligence.
The members of the Order do not have any financial obligation, because, according to the Order's understanding, an Initiation cannot be purchased. As a result, the only criteria for every initiation are exclusively Esoteric.
The cleanliness of both the Esoteric and the Exoteric quarters, the arrangement of the ritual objects, and the appropriate decoration with simple flowers, are some examples of its guidance about offers.
The Head of each branch of the Order is obliged to cover, out of a personal budget, on the one hand the housing and on the other hand the operating expenses of the Boat of which this person is the helmsman.
Finally, the Order requests from its members their aid and contribution towards the unfortunate ones, with the aim of becoming Philantropotatoi Daimones (Most-Philanthropic-Angels), that is, to offer to fellow human beings (and Nature) whatever they can, such as blood donation, feeding poor people or stray animals etc..
IV
In the context of the initiations of the <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos> the Alchemical Marriage and the creation of the Homo Androgynous is achieved and therefore, from a certain degree of initiation and onwards, the physical gender of the member is not important.
Consequently, females are able to receive all the levels of initiation and even become Protodidaskalos (Head Instructor) of the Order.
Four key Principles will be mentioned:
Ι
Dr. Christian Anthonis, a Global Head Instructor of the Order, made a major incision by removing from the rites the mediator between the Divine level and the Temple participants, in order to being them into closer harmony with the Divine source.
Consequently, in the rites of the <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos> there is no person to represent the Divine level.
The one who conducts the rites is a servant of both the Divine level and the Temple’s participants.
The ritual movements are conducted almost by themselves and the Temple is charged by the energy of the Archetypes, so that the participating members have the opportunity to resonate with them, without anyone bearing responsibility for their coordination. That is, the identification of each member with the Divine level is an exclusively individual process.
ΙΙ
The rites of the <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos> aim at the creation of the Body-of-Light.
This creation evolves and takes place gradually through the initiations and nourishment by the initiatic actions from the rites of the Order, which are performed on a weekly frequent and regular basis.
Using, in all the rites of the Order, the four Pythagorean Elements (Fire - Air - Water - Earth), the creation of the Body-of-Light takes place, so that the member, when this achievement is completed, becomes a link in the celestial Brotherhood.
Supporting this process is the acceptance of all aspects of the psyche.
Every aspect of the psyche, through acceptance, can be a useful tool in this creation.
The <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos> advocates that there are no good and bad psychic aspects (attributes), instead all can be useful tools in building the Body-of-Light.
Consciousness makes the difference.
The transmutation of unconscious-disharmoniously-expressed psychic aspects into consciously-harmoniously-expressed aspects, is a basic alchemical labour which takes place in the Alchemical Furnace, that is, within the framework of the rites of the <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos>.
ΙΙΙ
The only fee requested by the <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos> for the Esoteric – Initiatory Support it offers to its members is merely their dedicated diligence.
The members of the Order do not have any financial obligation, because, according to the Order's understanding, an Initiation cannot be purchased. As a result, the only criteria for every initiation are exclusively Esoteric.
The cleanliness of both the Esoteric and the Exoteric quarters, the arrangement of the ritual objects, and the appropriate decoration with simple flowers, are some examples of its guidance about offers.
The Head of each branch of the Order is obliged to cover, out of a personal budget, on the one hand the housing and on the other hand the operating expenses of the Boat of which this person is the helmsman.
Finally, the Order requests from its members their aid and contribution towards the unfortunate ones, with the aim of becoming Philantropotatoi Daimones (Most-Philanthropic-Angels), that is, to offer to fellow human beings (and Nature) whatever they can, such as blood donation, feeding poor people or stray animals etc..
IV
In the context of the initiations of the <Tagma Ermeas TrisMegistos> the Alchemical Marriage and the creation of the Homo Androgynous is achieved and therefore, from a certain degree of initiation and onwards, the physical gender of the member is not important.
Consequently, females are able to receive all the levels of initiation and even become Protodidaskalos (Head Instructor) of the Order.
May the Immortals present to each seeker the appropriate Initiation Path for her/him.
