BECOMING OPHIDIAN
How to establish your daily practice, prepare a domestic altar and take your first steps in the Ophidian tradition.
Every religious path begins with a first step.
Becoming an Ophidian does not require initiation into the Synodus, nor the immediate mastery of its doctrine or liturgy.
It begins with the decision to orient one's life toward the Divine through contemplation, discipline and daily practice.
This page presents the essential elements from which every Ophidian journey begins.
YOUR DOMESTIC PLACE OF DEVOTION
The domestic altar is the centre of Ophidian prayer.
It is not merely a decorative space, but a stable place reserved for contemplation and devotion. By returning to the same place each day, the Ophidian gradually establishes a rhythm of prayer that becomes part of ordinary life.
A simple domestic altar ordinarily includes:
the Sacred Spiral, printed or carved on stone;
two candles;
an incense burner;
The official prayer book “De Orationibus Serpentis”;
The Sacred Spiral is the ordinary sign of domestic devotion. The Sacred Icon belongs instead to the public liturgical life of the Synodus and to those admitted to its canonical discipline.
BEGIN DAILY PRAYER
Daily orations (Euché) are the heart of Ophidian life.
This practice is not aimed at obtaining some sort of Divine favour, but rather at creating a strong and true spiritual discipline. Through the morning and evening orations, the Ophidians build a spiritual routine that marks the passing of time and celebrates this change as the inevitable product of the Serpent’s motion.
The complete cycle of prayers is contained in the De Orationibus Serpentis, which accompanies the believer through the various moments of the day.
For those beginning the path, establishing a regular time for prayer is more important than attempting to follow the entire cycle immediately.
CELEBRATING FESTIVITIES
From the weekly Dies Serpentis to the annual occurrences of the main Ophidian Festivals, each Ophidian can celebrate these sacred days alone, in addition to joining the official celebrations organised by the Synodus.
A complete list of the Ophidian Festivities and celebrations is available on the dedicated page of this website. A full description of individual celebrations and practices is published in the De Orationibus Serpentis.
Ophidians can always contact the Synodus for any clarifications or doubts.
JOIN THE LITURGIES
As a lay Ophidian, you are not entitled to celebrate your own liturgies. However, you can always participate in the liturgies provided by the Synodus for its community.
This website provides a monthly calendar with the online public liturgies celebrated for the community worldwide.
Active participation in the liturgy is highly recommended, for it constitutes a different practice to be integrated into one’s spiritual routine.