ON four continents tonight, adherents of Antinous took part via an interactive online conference call in a candlelight vigil in memory of worldwide martyr victims of homophobia.
The vigil drew Zoom participants from across the United States, as well as from Brazil, Germany and South Africa. The ceremonies coincided with the October 28 observance of the Death of Antinous on that date in the year 130 AD.
At the Hollywood Temple of Antinous, the founder of the modern religion of Antinous, ANTONIUS SUBIA, related the true-life story of how Antinous drowned in the Nile at the end of October in the year 130 AD, and how Hadrian proclaimed him the last deity of the Classical Era.
Priest DECO RIBEIRO, participating from São Paulo (photo below right), solemnly read out the names of LGBTIU victims of homophobic murders over the past 12 months ... and linked them to the tragic death of Antinous.
With a quavering voice, Deco paused from time to time to remark on individuals whose names were on the list.
He also honoured hundreds of victims of homophobic attacks around the world.
Sadly, many of the other people were listed as "Unidentified" either because their families had withheld their names out of shame ... or because they were street people whose identities were never determined by authorities.
Antonius noted that the list of names represents only the tip of the iceberg ... and only one 12-month period. Countless thousands more suffer and are murdered on a daily basis around the world.
On October 28th we commemorate the death of Antinous and his descent into the Underworld.
"Antinous passes out of the world of the living tonight and enters the Underworld, where he hears the names of all these people and gathers them to him and embraces them and saves them from oblivion," Antonius told worshipers.
"I pray to Antinous to watch over them, now as his divine spirit sinks down into the place of the dead ... and when he returns, that he will bring for hope again, that these deaths will stop," Antonius said. "This is what I wish for."
On October 30th, another international interactive online ceremony will be held consecrating newly nominated saints of Antinous for 2020 and also ritually celebrating the return of Antinous from the Underworld and the establishment of the city of ANTINOOPOLIS by Emperor Hadrian on that date in 130 AD.
Priest DECO RIBEIRO, participating from São Paulo (photo below right), solemnly read out the names of LGBTIU victims of homophobic murders over the past 12 months ... and linked them to the tragic death of Antinous.
He also honoured hundreds of victims of homophobic attacks around the world.
Sadly, many of the other people were listed as "Unidentified" either because their families had withheld their names out of shame ... or because they were street people whose identities were never determined by authorities.
Antonius noted that the list of names represents only the tip of the iceberg ... and only one 12-month period. Countless thousands more suffer and are murdered on a daily basis around the world.
"Antinous passes out of the world of the living tonight and enters the Underworld, where he hears the names of all these people and gathers them to him and embraces them and saves them from oblivion," Antonius told worshipers.
"I pray to Antinous to watch over them, now as his divine spirit sinks down into the place of the dead ... and when he returns, that he will bring for hope again, that these deaths will stop," Antonius said. "This is what I wish for."
On October 30th, another international interactive online ceremony will be held consecrating newly nominated saints of Antinous for 2020 and also ritually celebrating the return of Antinous from the Underworld and the establishment of the city of ANTINOOPOLIS by Emperor Hadrian on that date in 130 AD.
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