Tau Kappa Epsilon
Initiation Ritual

 
1976

Opening Ceremony
 
VEN PRY, * * *: The chapter will come to order. Frater Hypophetes, light the candles. To save time, candles may be lighted just prior to gavel raps making this phrase unnecessary.
On nod from Venerable Prytanis all officers step to the altar together to put on jewels. When all officer jewels are in place, the Venerable Prytanis nods and all step back to their stations together and are seated.
VEN PRY: As we assemble to conduct the business at our chapter, we are reminded at the principles of our fraternity.
At each gavel rap, the officer stands, without sign, and remains standing.
HIST, *: CHARITY, which reminds us that we should have regard tor the virtues of our fraters, but be slow to censor their faults.
GRAM, *: ESTEEM, which reminds us that we should regard our fellow men not for their wealth, rank or honor, but for their personal worth and character; and
HYP, *: LOVE, which reminds us that we should dwell together in unity and love one another as fraters in the bond.
VEN PRY, *: Only as these principles dominate our daily lives are we worthy fraters in ΤΚΕ.
VEN PRY, *: Fraters, let us all stand and exchange the sign, grip and word. Venerable Prytanis pairs with first frater on his right, then the third frater with the fourth, etc. so that each frater has an opportunity to exchange S, G & W. When all have received the sign, grip and word, the Venerable Prytanis would conclude the process by saying:
VEN PRY, *: Fraters, we have received the sign, grip and word, and by them have been reminded of our bond in TKE.
Let us kneel to the Father of all, before whom we are fraters in the bond * *. Kneel on both knees.
HYP: O Thou Father of all, we call upon Thee to bless our beloved fraternity. Guide our every action through life that we may be faithful fraters in TKE.
May each of us advance in esteem and love impelled by the sympathetic warmth of charity, so that we may be helpful and true to our fraters throughout the world.
This we ask in solemn adoration of Thy most precious name.
All: Thus may it be.
VEN PRY, *, all fraters resume their seats.
HYP then extinguishes the three candles on the altar.
 
 
Informal Initiation
Section One
 
Candidates for initiation are seated and officers are brfore them so as to take theid places for the various instructions with ease.
HEG: You have been called together here for this final meeting as associate members. The purpose of this meeting is to acquaint you with the meanings and symbolism of the Coat-of-Arms and the badge, and to explain the meaning of the secrets of the fraternity. At this time, the Hypophetes will read to you the bond you will be asked to assume later today. He then will explain this bond to you.
HYP: The bond you will be asked to assume contains three promises,
a promise to maintain the principles of the fraternity,
a promise to the fraters, and
a promise to yourself.
Listen carefully as I read this bond.
I promise to be guided by charity, esteem, and love in my fraternal relationships throughout my lifetime.
I AM THE FRATERNITY!
I promise to share mutual respect and understanding, honoring me uniqueness of each frater—the basis of our brotherhood.
I AM TKE!
I promise to pursue my individual abilities and contribute them as a responsible frater in the bond.
I AM NOW THE FRATERNITY pause FOR LIFE!
Pause allowing time for thought.
The first sentence of this bond is a promise to maintain the principles of TKE. The Declaration of Principles says:
"We believe that the essential elements of true brotherhood are love, charity, and esteem;
Love that binds our hearts with the sturdy chords of fraternal affection;
Charity that is impulsive to see virtues in a frater and slow to reprove his faults;
Esteem that is respectful to the honest convictions of others and that refrains from treading on that which is sacred to spirit and conscience.
Those are the triple obligations of every frater in the bond,"
The promise to the fraters tells of the oneness we achieve in TKE which is not based on conformity, but on each frater contributing his unique gift of personality to the new whole we become together in the bond. Each man is different and we celebrate this by honoring each other's uniqueness as a valid contribution which enables the fraternity to achieve what a person alone, or conforming to a stereotype, could not. For this reason, the bond requires that we respect and treat each other's differences with understanding. It is our belief that this concept is the basis of true brotherhood.
Concerning your promise to yourself, participating in such a fraternity brings with it benefits to you as a person, Here, in the protected environment of understanding and respect you can experience success and failure, experimenting in social relationships, seeking your individual lifestyle. For this reason, the bond commits you to pursue the personal maturity of your uniqueness.
The three promises are punctuated by three declarations.
I AM THE FRATERNITY!
I AM TKE!
I AM NOW THE FRATERNITY - FOR LI FE!
With these you state that you accept the responsibility to be the fraternity—the fraternity that is uniquely TKE—and that the principles that join you with your fraters last a life time.
HEG: Before we begin to explain me symbolism and secrets of the fraternity, we ask that you pause and reflect on how you can carry out the commitments of this bond. Please do not hesitate to ask that the bond be repeated or any portion be further explained.
HEG: The Hypophetes will repeat the bond, then I will ask each of you to commit yourself to assume it for yourself.
Read bond slowly.
I promise to be guided by charity, esteem and love in my fraternal relationships throughout my lifetime.
I AM THE FRATERNITY!
I promise to share mutual respect and understanding, honoring the uniqueness of each frater—the basis of our brotherhood.
I AM TKE!
I promise to pursue my individual abilities and contribute them as a responsible frater in the bond.
I AM NOW THE FRATERNITY pause FOR LIFE!
HEG: … call name of each candidate, are you willing to assume the bond of TKE and be initiated into the fraternity?
Hegemon waits for a positive commitment from each man before calling next name. Candidates not willing to assume this bond cannot continue to receive the secret words of the fraternity and must be asked to leave.
HYP: Because of your commitment to the bond of our fraternity, you may now know the secrets of TKE.
 
 
Symbolic Instruction
 
EPIPRY: The Patron of TKE is Apollo, the most important and many sided of Olympian divinities of Greek mythology. He is depicted as the god of prophecy, of philosophy, of art, of the tender shepherd, and especially of virile and active youth.
A Coat-of-Arms should be displayed near the Hegemon.
HEG: You have often seen the Coat-of-Arms of TKE, now you can understand its meaning.
First, the mantling is symbolic of that protecting cloak of charity which love throws around the fraters permitting each to be esteemed by all in spite of faults. The outer color—red, like blood from the heart—interprets fraternal love, deep and warm. The colder grey suggests esteem, less warm and less emotional than love.
The Norman shield is really an equilateral triangle whose sides are carved instead of straight. It also simulates the form of the human heart; the seat of love and of all brotherly affection. Across the shield is a bend on which are five triangles rendering homage to the five founders. The triangles are placed in such a position that they represent the triangle formed on the map by our Alpha, Beta and Gamma Chapters.
The helmet is that of a knight—an allusion to our beginnings as Knights of Classic Lore .
The wreath unites the helmet with the crest above.
This can be considered a type of fraternal bond such as the one you have heard and will later accept as your own, uniting you in the bond with all of us.
The crest itself indicates the importance we attach to the skull—in life the seat of the brain—and our commitment to brotherhood until death.
On the scroll below you will observe the letters forming the initials of the Greek words "POLLOI ANDRES OS EIS ANER"—meaning: "Many men as one man", signifying the unity of those in the bond.
The scroll is shown to the candidates.
EPIPRY: This is the scroll of the fraternity. All of our fraters have signed it as they became members of this chapter. Heading the scroll you will sign is a copy of the Declaration of Principles which you have studied.
When future fraters see your name, let them look with respect for your fraternal actions and activities.
HEG: An opportunity is given in the ritual that closes all our chapter meetings for each frater to offer his thoughts and remarks for the good of the fraternity.
This is accomplished by the Prytanis passing the gavel across the triangle or room in which the chapter meets, allowing each person to hold for a moment the authority and responsibility for running the chapter in his own hands and thus to speak with that authority.
 
 
Secret Works Instruction
 
Instructions: Working together, the Hegemon, Hypophetes, and Epiprytanis will carefully demonstrate and/or explain the following, taking time to make sure that each member understands and can repeat the words and actions.
HYP: In formal chapter meetings fraters recognized by the Prytanis to speak give the sign when addressing the Venerable Prytanis. It is given by extending the right hand forward, clenching the fist, and drawing it toward the body as though plunging a dagger into the heart. This is a reminder to give serious thought to the words you say to each other in conducting the business of the chapter.
Ask each candidate to stand, and, assisted by Hypophetes, demonstrate the sign. Explain that they do not actually touch their clenched hand to the chest.
Epipry: During the opening ritual of formal chapter meetings we exchange the sign, grip and word. The Prytanis will turn to face the frater on his right, gives the sign, and thus receives the word from the frater on the right. Moving around the triangle to the right, all other fraters will pair up and exchange the sign, grip, and word in a similar manner. If the person to the left of the Prytanis has no partner he shall exchange the sign, grip, and word with the Prytanis but the Prytanis will give the sign.
Right hand is lowered. Then both fraters acknowledge that hostilities often exist between men committed to be fraters. To do this, clinch your left fist and symbolically press left forearms against each other. Then join right hands in the secret grip and step toward each other to stand right foot to right foot. The symbol of hostility is dropped as it is overcome by brotherhood and these hands now become the cover for the secret of human relationships that the fraternity holds in those right hands. The password is then whispered into the right ear. When he receives the word correctly, the challenging frater gives a slight snap to the hand shake to confirm it.
Hypophetes and Epiprytanis carefully demonstrate the sign, hostility symbol, foot placement, grip and cover of the grip and the grip’s allusion to the password. Candidates will exchange these with an instructing officer several times to be certaim they understand. Officers should conclude this instruction cautioning the candidates to always whisper the password and to use it and the secret grip only in ritual meetings or at ritual instruction.
HEG, Epiprytanis will assist: The grip of recognition is an abbreviation of the secret grip—usually used when greeting a frater.
Officers demonstrate and exchange grip with each candidate to be certain this is understood.
HEG: Arriving at the chapter room after the door has been closed a frater gives three raps. The Pylortes wilt resspond with three raps. The Pylortes may request the secret word from a frater especially if he is a person he does not recognize. While the frater waits the Pylortes announces the arrival of the frater when recognized by the Prytanis. If the Prytanis desires, he
tells the Pylortes to allow the frater to enter, come to the base of the altar, give the sign, and be assigned a seat.
EPIPRY, Hegemon will assist: The challenge which is sometimes used to test a stranger is to say: "I Esteem."
HEG: "I Love."
EPIPRY: Tau.
HEG: Kappa.
BOTH: Epsilon.
The voting sign is used when voting in Formal Chapter meetings. It is given by forming an equilateral triangle with the thumb and index finger of each hand like this over the heart demonstrate positive and negative forms of voting sign giving explanation of each. Have candidates show that they understand.
HYP: When you have assumed the bond of TKE, you will receive your badge. The familiar equilateral triangle on which the badge is built was an ancient allusion to Deity. It now points to the human need for charity, esteem and love on which the fraternity is built—attributes of both our weakness and our strength. The equal sides and close knit angles which external pressure only forces into closer contact, symbolizes the strength that equality among the fraters brings in the bond of TKE.
The pearls in the angles representing our first three chapters are also symbols of purity. On the center black enamel triangle the skull and crossbones remind us of human frailty and the uncertainty of life. With these we symbolize the secret character of our ritual, and we emphasize, since the skull is the seat of the brain, that intelligence be employed in perpetuating our fraternity.
The colors, derived from the flower and the jewel are represented by the pearls and the rubies in the eyes of the skull.
Show how the badge is attached properly on the clothing. The badge is worn on shirts and sweaters over the heart, never on coat lapels or tee-shirts. The right hand side of the triangle on the badge should be parallel to the line of buttons on the shirt. This causes the badge to tilt at an angle pointing to the heart side of the badge.
HEG: This concludes your informal initiation. At all times preserve the trust of your fraters by keeping secret what you have just learned. Use the time between now and Formal Initiation to meditate on the meaning, and significance to you, of this important step in your becoming a frater in the bond. Please report to … at …, wearing dress for Formal Initiation.
To aid you in your meditation on what you have learned, you are not to talk to anyone, except for essential communication, until you assume the bond of TKE.
 
 
Formal Initiation
Section Two
 
VEN PRY, * * *: The chapter will come to order. Frater Hypophetes, light the candles.
Pause until all fraters are seated and quiet.
On nod from Venerable Prytanis all officers step to the altar together to put on jewels. When all officers’ jewels are in place, the Venerable Prytanis nods and all step back to their stations together and are seated.
VEN PRY: Fraters, let us give serious attention to the initiation of our candidates into the bond of TKE. Today especially we are reminded of the principles of our fraternity.
At each gavel rap, the officer stands, without sign, and remains standing.
HIST, *: CHARITY, which reminds us that we should have regard tor the virtues of our fraters, but be slow to censor their faults.
GRAM, *: ESTEEM, which reminds us that we should regard our fellow men not for their wealth, rank or honor, but for their personal worth and character; and
HYP, *: LOVE, which reminds us that we should dwell together in unity and love one another as fraters in the bond.
VEN PRY, *: Only as these principles dominate our daily lives are we worthy fraters in ΤΚΕ.
VEN PRY, *: Fraters, let us all stand and exchange the sign, grip and word.
Prytanis pairs with first frater on his right, then the third frater with the fourth, etc. so that each frater has an opportunity to exchange S, G & W. When all have received the sign, grip and word, thePrytanis states:
VEN PRY: Fraters, we have received the sign, grip and word, and by them have been reminded of our bond in TKE.
Let us kneel to the Father of all, before whom we are fraters in the bond * *. Kneel on both knees.
HYP: O, Thou Father of all, we call upon Thee to bless our beloved fraternity.
Today especially be with us as we open ourselves to include new men as our fraters in the bond of TKE.
Remind us of the heritage that is ours from the men who made this brotherhood available to us. Help us to be responsible in giving the spirit of that heritage to those joining us in the bond today.
Make fresh in our minds the virtues of those kneeling with us in the triangle. Help us catch the spirit of wonder and excitement of those waiting outside the door. Teach us to welcome the gifts they join to our own, and help us in reaching our goals together.
Help us to make this a time of meaningful newness for our members and a great celebration of our ideals of charity, esteem, and love.
This we ask in solemn adoration of Thy most precious name.
All: Thus may it be.
VEN PRY, *, when all are seated and quiet: Fraters, I remind you that our behavior today will communicate to our new fraters the spirit in which they will learn to celebrate the ideals of TKE. Enhance this occasion for them by giving your respect to the promises made to us, and the promises we make to them today.
Fraters, silence is in order. Pause.
Frater Hegemon, you will usher the candidates to their place outside the triangle.
Hegemon goes to door to admit waiting candidates, ushers them, with the help of the Pylortes and other fraters if necessary, to their seats at the base of the triangle.
VEN PRY introduces the guest alumnae, chapter advisor, or other frater if one is chosen to give the ‘Spirit of the Fraternity’ message. If the Prytanus himself gives the message, there is no need for an introduction.
 
 
The Spirit of the Fraternity
 
Our altar is in the form of an equilateral triangle, the primary symbol of TKE. Its three equal sides symbolize the equality on which our fraternity is founded. Its three equal angles symbolize the union in which our fraters meet. The base typifies unselfishness; our attribute of charity. The right side stands for reason and judgment; our attribute of esteem. The left side—the heart side—our attribute of love. The three candles allude to the three words of our secret motto: …, which means …
When the Hegemon and Epiprytanis holding the chart of the crest above the apex of the triangle and behind the Prytanis revealing the secret symbols of the five triangles and the Hypophetes pointing out the corresponding symbols at the altar, the Prytanis explains.
PRY: The five triangles on the Coat-of-Arms have special meanings which correspond to the symbols that you see on the altar. The lowest triangle is the dagger which represents the conscience which punishes all infractions of the bond. The punishment is a personal penalty symbolized in our sign give sign which represents the dagger as piercing the heart when a frater is careless with his promises of brotherhood. The dagger is a reminder of the seriousness with which we take our words and deeds towards our fraters in the bond.
The next in rank above the dagger are the three burning candles which are found in the upper triangle. The flame of the candles typifies wisdom, the light represents understanding. This symbol is a reminder of our dedication to scholarship as an ideal employed to assist our fraters in achieving their personal goals through education. The use of wisdom and understanding gives lasting perspective and balance to the social dimensions of TKE.
The skull is next in rank as we proceed toward the center triangle. As the seat of the brain, the skull represents our decision to hold each other in esteem in the bond of TKE.
Prytanis, or other designated frater, steps to altar and lifts the skull into view of candidates. While holding it give the ‘Ode to the Skull.’
Behold this ruin! ‘Twas a skull
Once of ethereal spirit full
This narrow cell was Life’s retreat;
This space was Thought’s mysterious seat.
What beauteous visions filled this spot?
What dreams of pleasure long forgot?
 
Nor hope, nor joy, nor love, nor fear
Have left one trace of record here.
 
Beneath this moldering canopy
Once shone the bright and busy eye.
But start not at the dismal void
If social love the eye employed;
If with no lawless fire it gleamed
But through the mists of kindness bearned:
That eye shall be forever bright
When stars and sun are sunk in night.
 
Within this harrow cavern hung
The ready, swift, and tuneful tongue.
If Falsehood's honey it disdained,
And when it could not praise was chained;
If bold in Virtue's cause it spoke,
Yet gentle concord never broke:
That silent tongue shall plead for thee
When Time unveils eternity!
Replaces Skull on altar.
The Bible in the second highest triangle is symbolic of the charity which is characteristic of our brotherhood. It stands as a reminder of the faith of our founders that inspired their brotherhood as Knights of Classic Lore and as our first fraters in TKE. Let the ideals here inspire you to continue what they have begun.
These four lower symbols are found on the altar before which you will kneel to assume the bond. The highest ranking triangle in the center represents the human heart—the center of everything we do in TKE. Esteem and love are commitments we make as a man to our fellow men. They are commitments of the human heart, establishing as the highest ideal our reverence for the uniqueness of character and personality of every frater who kneels at our altar.
Chart is removed. Epiprytanis and Hegemon are seated.
Prytanis extends arm to point slowly to each candidate as he reads:
You are the human heart—the center of TKE. The heart is the traditional seat of love. Your expression of fraternal love for your fraters is the focal point of the fraternity—giving it a human heart.
Prytanis returns to station before calling on the Hegemon to present candidates individually.
*. Frater Hegemon, you will usher the candidates individually to the altar so that they can assume their bond to TKE.
VEN PRY: Candidates, as you  are ushered to the altar you will kneel on both knees, rest your left hand on the Bible and dagger and your right hand on the human skull.
After the Hegemon has ushered a candidate to the altar and assisted him in kneeling and placing his hands, he return to his station and is seated. The Prytanis calls on the Hypophetes, Big Brother, or other frater to administer the bond.
*. Frater … name, will administer the bond.
Frater called to administer bond stands to left of altar facing candidate.
HYP, BIG BROTHER or OTHER FRATER: Please say I, give your full name, and repeat after me. I, …, promise to be guided by charity, esteem and love—in my fraternal relationships—throughout my lifetime.
I AM THE FRATERNITY!
I promise to share mutual respect and understanding—honoring the uniqueness of each frater—the basis of our brotherhood
I AM TKE!
I promise to pursue my individual abilities—and contribute them—as  a responsible frater in the bond. I AM NOW THE FRATERNITY pause FOR LIFE!
Pry: … full name of candidate, please stand and be welcomed into the bond of TKE.
Big Brother/Hypophetes steps from apex to assist rising candidate and welcome him with a handshake.
All: We are witnesses! Clap, clap, clap.
The new frater is shown to a seat in the triangle by the Hegemon if sufficient seats are available. If not, he is escorted to his seat outside the triangle. The Hegemon returns with the next candidate.
PRY, whe all candidates have assumed the bond, *: Officers, return to your stations.
At this point the Prytanis passes the gavel allowing each man, including the new initiates, to hold it. As each man holds the gavel, he grasps at his own the authority and responsibility of leading the chapter. Both old and new fraters are encouraged to offer comments about the significance of the initiation for them and for the chapter as they view it.
New initiates should especially be encouraged by the Prytanis to describe their feelings about entering the bond and what they intend to do to carry out the responsibilities their bond promises.
PRY: In a fraternity which celebrates the gifts of individual members, the addition of ne fraters changes the whole fraternity—renewing it. The common bond that we have all assumed is the force that blends our separateness into the new wholeness—“many men as one man.” This bond requires all fraters, old and new, to take the words of this bond—translating them into life for the good of the fraternity—and for our own good. Only when we make this common bond our common goal do we live in the spirit of its true brotherhood.
This initiation of … chapter has ended. *.
 
 
Closing Ceremony
 
VEN PRY: Frater Grammateus, is there other business which we should consider at this meeting?
GRAM: I have nothing, Venerable Prytanis.
VEN PRY: Has any frater further suggestions for the good of our fraternity?
As you give your remarks feel in your hands the responsibility for leaders in in our chapter.
Passes the gavel around the triangle beginning with the frater on his left. Any frater not choosing to make remarks for the good of the fraternity when he receives the gavel shall say "Venerable Prytanis, I have nothing" or "Venerable Prytanis, I love the fraternity."
VEN PRY, * *: My fraters, let us always be governed by charity, esteem and love in all our relationships with one another.
All: Thus it shall be!
VEN PRY: We will link the fraternal chain.
Frater will place right hand over left interlocking the four fingers with the frater on his right and left. The "Closing Ode" will be sung without introduction.
All: As fraters in he bond,
We pledge our lasting loyalty
To our be lov'd fraternity,
TKE.
 
By friendship's magic wand,
This tie that binds each heart of us,
Becomes a living part of us,
TKE.
 
As fraters here we've learned
A lesson in sweet charity,
From rites a our fraternity.
TKE.
 
So let us be concerned
To cherish with undying love,
Our fraters in esteem and love,
TKE.
VEN PRY: I now declare this meeting of … Chapter of TKE closed in due form. *.

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