Devotion
Devotion ceremony is a public proclamation by a member of the Ocean of Light, to dedicate their entire life to the movement. It is the first step of someone who has the desire to make it to the inner cycle although not anyone can take it. Devotion only happens by an invitation by Marcus Ora himself which is true for other rank advancement within the momevement, but the group keeps a tight hold on the information of their inner structure.
While having no real historical root to draw on, this ceremony takes a lot of inspiration from other churches and past movements while pretending to be an ancient rite that has been revealed to the leader in his visions. Many people also believe that this flashy ceremony is used for propaganda purposes by this group to incite new members to enter the movement or to appease the general public and make it participate in their events. Basically, whenever there are some negative articles being published about the group, you can be sure that there will be some kind of a devotion ceremony with a lot of free food and music the day after.
The members of the movement, however, take this ceremony extremely seriously and it is seen as one of the highest honours to be noticed by the founder and being selected to be able to ascend and be tought the secrets of the universe by him directly and the ones closest to him. With thousands of members it is very hard to get selected for the devotion and for anyone to get this honour - it is really worthy a lot fo celebration and praise.
There are many steps to this ceremony, some start at a house of the member or their room, where they are prepared - clothed, fed, have their hair combed and make up done. The there is a procession through the public streets or a prominent square in the area and after that the devoted member goes to the main residence of Marcus Ora to be formally greeted by the inner circle and have an audience with the leader. Part of getting devoted is having a tattoo done on their palm so anything the devoted touches can become sacred as well.