Declaratium Imperium Cultorem

 

I. We affirm that the earthly responsibility of Roman Imperial Cult is to preserve and restore the veneration of the Ancient Roman Emperors. We believe this spirituality manifests the legacy and power of Roman Civilization and continues to be a foundational living energy in the world.

II. We affirm the Divi Imperii (Divine Emperors) to be Divine Beings who have transcended Earthly existence to dwell with the Dii Immortales, the ancient Goddesses and Gods. They are not the Gods themselves yet are spiritual beings with ability to intercede with the Gods on behalf of human civilization. They are akin to the demigods and Divine Heroes of the Classical world.  

III. We hold that a practitioner of the Roman Imperial Cult may be defined as a person who participates in actively performing rites, rituals, and/or prayers to any or all of the ancient Roman Dii Imperii and their families. We acknowledge also that individuals may honor the ancient Roman Emperors without considering themselves active members of the Imperial Cult. 

IV. We affirm that the Roman Imperial Cult constitutes and expresses a clear and separate form of religion and spirituality that is unique and different from all other spiritual paths. We hold that our practices today are the spiritual successor of the ancient Roman Imperial Cult, reborn anew.

V. We affirm that the historical basis of our spirituality comes from the deification of Julius Caesar in 42 BC, and continues through the reign of the Emperor Anastasius I in the Eastern Roman Empire in 518 AD, a period of 560 years.

VI. We hold that the Roman Imperial Cult is open to all people, regardless of nationality, race, gender, sexuality, spiritual affiliation or other individual circumstance.

VII. We affirm that the Roman Imperial Cult belongs to no one people or nation, but is instead a common founding heritage of all Western civilization. It is further a universal spiritual current which throughout the centuries has influenced all peoples and nations of the world, either directly or by the legacy of its history, philosophies and practices.

VIII. We also affirm that the Roman Imperial Cult is compatible with, and may be practiced alongside all other forms of religion and spiritual expression, without diluting or diminishing its basic ideals and spiritual identity. The Imperial Cult was practiced with ancient Roman, Celtic, German, Greek, Egyptian, Persian, and Eastern faiths, to the enhancement of all.

IX. We affirm that the Roman Imperial Cult embodies many forms of public and private rites and worship. These include the ancient religious festivals, the rites of both Roman and Greek state and private religion, cults of the various deities, divination, the ancient Mystery religions, and Pagan philosophy as well as other forms of ancient religious expression.

X. We further affirm that rites and worship within Imperial Cult may be approached in many ways. In this manner the spiritual needs of all practicing individuals may be fulfilled. These various approaches may include group or individual worship, philosophical practice focusing on prayer and contemplation, purely historical reconstruction of ancient ritual form, as well as forms of modern rites and worship that adapt ancient practices and ideals.

XI. We affirm that the Roman Imperial Cult was and is a peaceful and civilized faith, empowering family, community and state to positive virtue and beneficial effect. The rites, virtues and philosophies of the Imperial Cult are by nature benign and lawful, serving to facilitate piety within the manifestation of civilization.

These religious ideals and tenets are set forth and adopted under the approval of the gods and goddesses of ancient Rome, and in remembrance of Eternal Rome. These principles stand as an affirmation of our intent, faith and practice, and through them we are focused and united.