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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 79, lines 8–10 · First to show the holy rites
79.8
The Orphic Hymns 79.8 · First to show the holy rites
Themis first revealed the rites of initiation to mortals, crying the Bacchic cry through the nights. From her come the worship of the gods and the mysteries.
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γὰρ1
gàr
For
you
πρώτη2
prṓtē
first
ἀνέφηνας3
anéphēnas
revealedbrought to light
ἁγίας4
hagías
holy
τελετὰς5
teletàs
rites
θνητοῖς6
thnētoîs
to mortals
, ἐπευάζουσα7
epeuázousa
crying euoishouting over
ἄνακτα8
ánakta
to the lord
ἀνὰ9
anà
through
Βακχιακὰς10
Bakchiakàs
the Bacchic
νύκτας11
nýktas
nights
; γὰρ12
gàr
for
ἐκ13
ek
from
σέο14
séo
you
come
τιμαὶ15
timaì
the honors
μακάρων16
makárōn
of the blessed
θʼ17
th’
and
ἁγνά18
hagná
the holy
μυστήριά19
mystḗriá
mysteries
. For you first revealed holy rites to mortals, crying euoi to the lord through the Bacchic nights; for from you come the honors of the blessed and the holy mysteries.
For you first revealed holy rites to mortals, crying euoi to the lord through the Bacchic nights; for from you come the honors of the blessed and the holy mysteries.
Interpretation
For you were the first to reveal holy rites to mortals, crying euoi to the lord through the Bacchic nights; for from you come the honors paid to the blessed gods, and the holy mysteries.
Here Themis becomes the founder of worship itself. She first showed mortals the rites (teletai), and from her come the timai, the honors paid to the gods in cult, and the mysteries. The "lord" of the Bacchic nights is Dionysus, and epeuazein means to raise the ritual cry euoi over him. Other stories give the founding of the mysteries to Orpheus or to Dionysus himself; this hymn gives it to the goddess of what is right and lawful.
79.11
The Orphic Hymns 79.11 · Come gracious to your rites
The prayer: may the maiden come with a kind will to her holy rites.
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But, blessed one, may you come gracious, with kindly will, to your holy, mystic rites, maiden.