Sol Invictus
02-16-2009, 08:02 PM
About the Religio Romana
Temple of Religio Romana (http://www.religioromana.net/about.htm)
The Religio Romana is the practice of the indigenous earth-centered belief system of the ancient Romans. It began as a local farm-based religion and later developed into a State religion. The Religio Romana involves a collection of beliefs and practices honoring ancestral and divine spirits through precise actions and prayers in order to gain favor and achieve peace with the Gods (pax deorum.)
The ancient Romans believed that numina (spirits) were omnipresent and influenced every aspect of daily life; therefore the attention to worship was paramount for a successful and happy life. These numina were considered to be divine manifestations, both earthly and celestial, and emanated from aspects of nature and human characteristics.
In very early Rome, all religious rites were performed in the home. The paterfamilias, or head of the family, presided over rituals at a lararium (altar) near the hearth fire to meet the daily needs of the family. Critical needs included beneficial weather, health and welfare of the family members and abundant harvests. As the needs of the family grew to include the needs of the community and then the State, a hierarchy of priests was established to supervise the calendar of festivals and religious holidays that embodied ancient Roman life. State priests would conduct public rites to maintain good relations with the Gods on the state level. The State Religion provided for the Empire what the paterfamilias provided for his family. This sense of duty, pietas (piety,) involved more than religious practice; it was also a quality attained by working in harmony with nature and one’s surroundings toward a universal order. Pietas encompassed social and political duty, devotion to others and to the State, which were intertwined with religious duty.
There are many unique aspects we have inherited from the ancient Roman religion. These include the absence of sacred written texts and lack of dogma which provides for considerable freedom in one’s own spiritual path and communion with the Gods. The Romans believed that as long as the rituals were performed correctly and the Gods were not blasphemed the individual was encouraged to explore and form a bond with the deities suitable for his or her own specific needs and desires. This accounted for the tolerance and inclusiveness that existed in ancient Rome. One could follow other beliefs alongside the Religio Romana without jeopardizing their relationship with the Roman deities.
The Temple of Religio Romana maintains many of the early traditions and practices of the early Romans while taking into account the changing realities of life in today’s world. We are a religious organization dedicated to assisting those who seek fellowship and enlightenment in the Religio Romana and Roman culture through modern interpretation for universal understanding. We have included the ancient Roman Virtues as an accompaniment to spiritual practice as we feel that they are conducive to the fulfillment of one's higher self. The role of the paterfamilias is interpreted with emphasis on individual conduct and growth rather than gender. With a few modifications, the ancient ways of the Romans have been preserved and made available for our benefit and the benefit of those around us. By implementing the wisdom of the past into our modern lives, we too can achieve pax deorum for ourselves, our loved ones, and our community.
Temple of Religio Romana (http://www.religioromana.net/about.htm)
The Religio Romana is the practice of the indigenous earth-centered belief system of the ancient Romans. It began as a local farm-based religion and later developed into a State religion. The Religio Romana involves a collection of beliefs and practices honoring ancestral and divine spirits through precise actions and prayers in order to gain favor and achieve peace with the Gods (pax deorum.)
The ancient Romans believed that numina (spirits) were omnipresent and influenced every aspect of daily life; therefore the attention to worship was paramount for a successful and happy life. These numina were considered to be divine manifestations, both earthly and celestial, and emanated from aspects of nature and human characteristics.
In very early Rome, all religious rites were performed in the home. The paterfamilias, or head of the family, presided over rituals at a lararium (altar) near the hearth fire to meet the daily needs of the family. Critical needs included beneficial weather, health and welfare of the family members and abundant harvests. As the needs of the family grew to include the needs of the community and then the State, a hierarchy of priests was established to supervise the calendar of festivals and religious holidays that embodied ancient Roman life. State priests would conduct public rites to maintain good relations with the Gods on the state level. The State Religion provided for the Empire what the paterfamilias provided for his family. This sense of duty, pietas (piety,) involved more than religious practice; it was also a quality attained by working in harmony with nature and one’s surroundings toward a universal order. Pietas encompassed social and political duty, devotion to others and to the State, which were intertwined with religious duty.
There are many unique aspects we have inherited from the ancient Roman religion. These include the absence of sacred written texts and lack of dogma which provides for considerable freedom in one’s own spiritual path and communion with the Gods. The Romans believed that as long as the rituals were performed correctly and the Gods were not blasphemed the individual was encouraged to explore and form a bond with the deities suitable for his or her own specific needs and desires. This accounted for the tolerance and inclusiveness that existed in ancient Rome. One could follow other beliefs alongside the Religio Romana without jeopardizing their relationship with the Roman deities.
The Temple of Religio Romana maintains many of the early traditions and practices of the early Romans while taking into account the changing realities of life in today’s world. We are a religious organization dedicated to assisting those who seek fellowship and enlightenment in the Religio Romana and Roman culture through modern interpretation for universal understanding. We have included the ancient Roman Virtues as an accompaniment to spiritual practice as we feel that they are conducive to the fulfillment of one's higher self. The role of the paterfamilias is interpreted with emphasis on individual conduct and growth rather than gender. With a few modifications, the ancient ways of the Romans have been preserved and made available for our benefit and the benefit of those around us. By implementing the wisdom of the past into our modern lives, we too can achieve pax deorum for ourselves, our loved ones, and our community.