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TIMING:

7 Pyanepsion.

THEME:

Apollo, Dionysos, charity, folklore

HISTORY / LORE:

For the Pyanapsia, young boys carry a Eiresione from door to door singing "The Eiresione bears figs and rich cakes and honey in a jar and olive oil to anoint yourself with and a cup of mellow wine that you may drink and fall asleep" while begging for gifts. The Eiresione is a bough of olive wreathed with wool, models of harps, cups, vines made of pastry and actual fruit. It was left at the door of whoever gave the gifts to bring them good fortune throughout the year.

For the Oschophoria, a procession went from the shrine of Dionysos to the shrine of Athena. It consisted of two young men dressed as women, five women, a choir and women carrying the food for the feast. The first seven carry oschoi (branches of grapes). At the feast, legends of Theseus, son of Apollo, were told.

DECORATING IDEAS:

A Eiresione outside the door by the shrine to Apollo Agyieus (Apollo of the streets) that guards the front door (bought by money to be given to a local charity), vines of grapes to honor Dionysos and symbols of the sun to honor Apollo.

GARMENTS:

The only special garments are the two young men in the procession dressed as women. Traditionally, these were the most prosperous young men in town. A possible modern variation could be the two young men collecting the most money, for charity, paying them to dress as women.

RITUAL CUP:

wine of a good vintage to honor Dionysos

RITUAL FOODS:

whatever food is available (without buying anything) brought together for the feast. Also, lamb and panspermia (all-seeds or bean hotchpotch). A lamb stew would be appropriate.

ACTIVITIES:

Various money making projects for contributions to a local charity. Telling of legends during the feast.

SOURCES: