THE ROMAN IMPERIAL CULT
THE DIVINE EMPEROR GRATIAN
August 24th 367 AD - August 25th, 383 AD
Welcome to the Temple of Divus Flavius Gratianus
Sacred
Days:
April 18th
- Birth
August 24th - Raised as Emperor
November 17 - Death of his
father, became sole Western Emperor
February 27th - Issued Edict
of Thessalonica
August 25th - Divine Apotheosis
Emperor Flavius Gratianus
was the eldest son of Valentinian I.
He was the first Emperor to refuse the title of Pontifex Maximus
and had the Altar of Victory removed from the Senate.
Classical
Prayer and Offering:
Items Needed,
Altar space, an image of the Emperor Gratian, (optional)
a candle or lamp, Incense, a small container of wine (or juice if
necessary)
and a small, open dish to pour wine into.
When
prepared, take a moment to reflect on the Divine Emperor, then light the
lamp or candle saying:
"I offer this sacred flame
in honor of Divus Flavius Gratianus.
May his Imperial legacy be honored and increased. "
Focus for a
moment on the Divine Genius (spirit) of the Emperor Gratian shining with
light.*
Next, light
the incense, saying:
"Divus Flavius
Gratianus,
I offer this sacred incense to honor your divine spirit.
May your Imperial Power be well remembered, and bring good fortune to the
world."
As the smoke
of the incense rises, feel the sacred space around you being filled with the
Imperial
power of Eternal Rome.
Finally, pour
some wine from the container into the offering dish, saying:
"Divus Flavius
Gratianus,
I offer this sacred wine, that your spirit may be increased,
and bring divine good
fortune upon I who remember you, and the world."
In your
mind's eye, focus on the image of the centuries between you and the Divine
Emperor
falling away,
allowing you to be in the Imperial Presence. If you wish, you may now
state your
own personal prayers, or ask for personal blessings in your own words.
To End The
Rite; hold up the dish of incense (adding more if needed) and say:
"Divus Flavius
Gratianus,
I offer this sacred incense in atonement if there was fault
in any of this rite. I end this rite in honor."
Leave everything in place for
at least a few minutes after leaving the altar space. It is proper
to respectfully offer the
wine outdoors by pouring it on the ground after you have put out the incense
and light.
Notes:
Scented oil may be substituted for incense
as a sacred scent if necessary.
*The "mental visualizations" between offerings are not documented
historical, but are religious thoughts
that might have been likely. Trying them
certainly cannot hurt the ritual itself.
Christian
Prayer:
Look upon our most devout
Emperor Flavius Gratianus Augustus, the desire of whose longing for you, O
God,
know beforehand, and by
the inexpressible grace of your kindness and mercy grant him the
tranquility of lasting
peace and heavenly victory with all his people.
