This elevation ceremony is based on text from "Book of Ceremonies", chapter 59: The Promotion of the Zoste Patrikia. The "Book of Ceremonies" was written in the10th century by Constantin VII Porphyrogenete. The ceremony was translated from the original Greek to French by Albert Vogt in 1935, and then from the French into English by Master Rashid with the assistance of Mistress Dio for this event. Most of the ceremony is original, including many traditional SCA elements, with only one major change in the order of the ceremony to adjust for SCA ritual tradition.
Special thanks to Their Majesties and AEthelmearc's Silver Buccle Herald for their cooperation, and to Baron Mord Hrutsson the Green KSCA for research assistance. Thank you all for indulging us by participating in using this ceremony today.
Please note: the 'gold coins' are actually mint dark chocolate (for those who may be allergic!). The Latin lettering inscribed, loosely translated, says "Because Bees Fly", which is Mairi's personal mott [ed.note: the other side of the 'coin' was stamped with a laurel wreath].
ENTRANCE
At a sign from the Sovereigns, the Court Herald calls before them the Official of the Ceremony (Baron Charles O'Connor), serving as Mairi's personal herald. Note - on this day, Mairi's personal herald outranks the Sovereigns' herald. At a sign from the Sovereigns, the Official calls into court the Patrikias, on this day also known as the Order of the Laurel. The Official leads the Candidate into court. As she enters, she falls to her knees and is raised up by the Official. He leads her to the Sovereigns, where she falls at their feet.
PRESENTATION OF ELEVATION ROBES
The Sovereigns present Mairi with a dalmatikia and a thorakian. These imperial robes are hers by right to wear on this day. The Official conducts her down the aisle to her attendants, who dress her in the garments. When they are finished, the Official bows to Mairi, and Mairi bows to him. He holds her by her shoulders and turns her to face the Sovereigns. Mairi bows slightly to the Sovereigns.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COURT SPEAK
Heralds with rods of office muster the ranking officials of the court into the Imperial Presence. Representatives of the Orders speak on behalf of the Candidate, in turn.
SYMBOLS OF RANK: MEDALLION, LAUREL WREATH, CLOAK
The Official leads Mairi back to the Sovereigns. She kisses Their knees, then holds out her hands and is given the symbols of her new office, including the sash of office (here known as 'the medallion), laurel wreath, and cloak.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF POPULACE
Mairi is introduced to the populace by her new name - Patrikia Maria Agrissa Sgourina. She thanks the populace. She thanks the Sovereigns.
RECORD BOOKLET PRESENTATION
Mistress Filipia and Master Brendan present to Maria the "record booklet of marking down" (here known as the recording book from her vigil). Maria presents them with a gift and thanks them for their service.
OATH OF FEALTY
Maria presents the Sovereigns with a gift of 12 numistas (gold coins) each and swears her oath of fealty (based upon a 6th century Byzantine Functionary's oath of service - see below).
READING OF THE PATRIKIA'S PRAYER (SCROLL)
Maria is presented with a plaque & codicils declaring her elevation. The Patriarch (kingdom herald) reads the Patricians' Prayer (the scroll).
PRESENTATION OF COINS TO THE PATRIKIAS
During the reading of the scroll, the members of the Order of the Laurel, each one after the other, bow to Maria and are presented by her with 6 numistas (gold coins) each.
CHEERS OF THE GUARD (VIVATS)
The Order of the Laurel bows to and applauds the Sovereigns to thank them for promoting Maria to the peerage. The court guards lead cheers (today known as 'Vivats').
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A Byzantine Functionary's Loyalty Oath
I swear that I will maintain a pure conscience with regard
to our very divine and pious masters, Maynard and his wife Christina,
and that I will render them loyal service in the exercise of the
duties that have been given to me through their piety;
I will willingly accept all pain and all fatigue resulting from
the office they have conferred upon me in the interest of the
empire and the state.
I am in compliance with Corpora and the laws of the Kingdom of
AEthelmearc; in no form and at no moment will I oppose them, nor
will I permit anyone to do so, insofar as I am able to prevent
it.
I do also swear that I have truly given nothing to anyone nor
will give anything for the position that has been conferred upon
me or to obtain a patronage,
that I have neither promised nor agreed to send anything at all
from the provinces in order to obtain the support of the emperor,
nor to the very glorious prefects, nor to other famous people
who govern the administration, nor to their entourage, nor to
anyone else,
but that I have been granted my position virtually without salary
and can thus appear pure in the eyes of the subjects of our very
holy emperors, and am content with the sum that has been granted
me by the state.