Ofscension

Ofscension is the ritual that is performed after a member of the Javeii of the Ancient Ways dies. The person being ofscended, the ofscendee, is ritually send off from the world of the living to the realm of the departed, also known as the What-Comes-After. It's also an opportunity for family, friends and other interested parties to say their farewells and to come to terms with the death of that particular individual.

History

The ritual of ofscension has its roots in the myth of the Sacrifice of Peairo. It is said that after Peairo's sacrifice the ritual was immediately adopted by all of the faithful Javeii.

Execution

The ofscendee is placed on an altar or stone slab. If they are still alive they may go lay down on it themselves, else the dead body is placed by the four closest relatives or friends if applicable. A semi-circle is formed around the ofscendee with the distance of the attendants to the altar signifying the bond between them and the ofscendee, so closest family and relatives will be the closest to the altar and simple acquintances will be more in the back. The priest then opens the ritual by reading from the Ja'q Madiyr, going through a list of desired behaviors according to The Ancient Ways and for each checking whether the ofscendee has adhered to those behaviors according to known records. In case the ofscendee is still alive and capable to communicating it is expected of them that they themselves reply to each item in complete honesty. This way it is determined wheter the ofscendee is allowed benefits in the What-Comes-After. If they do everyone may and will rejoice. If the ofscendee is deceased, all attendees get the opportunity to testify about the ofscendees behavior during their life. Again, if testimonies are provided for all desired behaviors, everyone may and will rejoice. If the ofscendee turned out to have not lived according to the guidelines, they will not get benefits in the What-Comes-After and a moment is taken for everyone to mourn this sad outcome.

Then the attendees may all give their best wishes to the ofscendee for the journey. If the ofscendee is still alive they may respond to each attendee and provide them with their own best wishes in return.

Participants

First and foremost the person being ofscended is always present. This person may be dead or they may be in the final stages of dying, which is the ideal state to be in for the ritual as the ofscendee may then participate in the ritual themselves. The ritual is led by a priest guiding the local congregation. Other attendants are usually the family and friends of the person being ofscended.

Primary Related Location

Peairo's Gateway

Related Ethnicities

• Javeii of the Ancient Ways