Ecclesia Ordinis Caelestis Templum Olympicus/Celestial Order and Temple of Olympus

Festival of Proerosia

October 20

(Greek) Ancient: 5 Puanepsion.
This is a festival for Demeter’s blessings in preparation for the ploughing and sowing at the beginning of the agricultural season (proerosia = things before the time of tillage); in ancient times it was held at Eleusis. It immediately precedes the Puanepsia (see above), held in honor of Pythian Apollo, because His oracle told the Athenians to initiate the Proerosia in order to bring a worldwide famine to an end. Upon command of the Hierophantes, the Sacred Herald proclaims the Proerosia, recounts the myth of its founding, and calls for the first-fruits offering (mostly cereals, especially barley and wheat). [PFA 73–5]