International Eunuch day

[erikboy (imported)]

I wonder if there is a day that all kind of eunuchs could celebrate. Like there is a womans day etc?

If there is none, then we can create one. Any decent suggestions?

[kristoff]

I'm game for it. We could send out emails to lots of newspapers, etc.

[JesusA (imported)]

We could always repurpose the Roman Dies Sanguinis (or, Day of Blood), the day on which the novice priests of the goddess Cybele (the Mother of the Gods), castrated themselves. Here's a copy of the post that I made about the holiday a couple of years ago:

<<oooOOOooo>>

In the ancient Mediterranean world, March 24 was celebrated as the Dies sanguinis, or Day of Blood. Some theologians believe that the holiday is the precursor/origin of the Christian holiday of Good Friday.

Dies sanguinis was the festival day on which worshipers and priests of the goddess Cybele, the Mother of the Gods, slashed themselves and bled to sprinkle pine boughs and the Mother’s statue with their blood. This was also the day on which young men castrated themselves to become priests to the goddess, to become Galli.

The day following Dies sanguinis was the celebration of Hilaria, the “Day of Joy” (also known as Hilaria Matris Deûm). This was a celebration of the day of resurrection of Attis, the consort of the Mother of the Gods. It was a day for the celebration of fertility and the return of springtime to the world.

The site for the largest ceremony in Rome for Dies sanguinis was later taken over by Christians to erect the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter at the heart of the Vatican. The testicles of those castrated in honor of the Mother of the Gods were ritually interred at a site that was later covered by the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore†, the largest church in Rome dedicated to the “Mother of God.”

The faith in the Mother of the Gods was the most powerful rival to early Christianity in the empire. It has been argued by scholars of early Christianity (see especially Susan Elliott in the Bibliography (http://www.eunuch.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=17583) on the Non-Fiction Board) that Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians was written largely in reaction to the prevalence of the faith of the Mother of the Gods in Galatia. Its attempt to dissuade Christians from circumcision is seen as a way to distance Christians from the Galli who were castrated as an article of their faith. (Roman law equated castration and circumcision as, apparently, did many early Christians and castration was practiced by many of the early Christian faithful, some of whom thought that all true Christian males should be castrated.)

FOOTNOTE:

† Cardinal Bernard Law, who presided over the Boston Archdiocese for nearly 20 years while he ignored repeated pleas from the mothers and aunts of abused children, coddled offending priests, and demanded silence from victims until — after the number of cases exceeded 500 — he was forced in 2002 to resign his post, was then reassigned as archpriest of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

http://forums.eunuch.org/showthread.php ... y-of-Blood

[Peter47-NL (imported)]

What a nice idea! I wished I had lived at that time. I have always been fascinated by the self-castration of these young men

to become priests to the goddess

Cybele.

24th of March Eunuch day!

[Peter47-NL (imported)]

Today March 24, is International Eunuch Day. In a personal way, I think back to my study time, especially a visit with a group of students under the guidance of a professor at a temple of Cybele on the Palatine in Rome. The priests of Cybele were self-castrated eunuchs like her son Attis was. I saw myself as a Roman young man coming to the temple to castrate myself this day, to be included in this community of eunuchs and be with them as eunuch priest in the service of Cybele. The sanctuary has something very attractive to be there. The resulting image remains in the background always with me. This is probably why I, being a eunuch connect to a eunuch community.

Though I must say honestly that the appeal of the ancient Mithra temples is slightly stronger.

[sparkey49 (imported)]

Well I wonder if a lot of closet eunuchs would come out to celebrate? A lot of eunuchs keep it a secret for the most part. I don't care who know as most of my family know along with those I work with and even some at church and have never had any negative experiences from anyone knowing. I don't wave a flag but don't hide it it is just how it is. I am happily married almost 36years with kids and grandkids. My kids and grandkids have seen me and nothing is ever said it is just how it is mind you all my grandkids are 5 and under so I am sure as the boys get older someday they will notice. It was agreat liberation for me when I accepted that in the locker room, restroom or clothes optional place I if anyone was checking things out and had a problem it was their issue not mine and have not knowingly had anyone pay that much attention because I am acting normal. I realized a long time ago in public settings those who are hiding themselves are the ones that get looked at not those who throw the towel over their shoulder and walk on! Great Day To all fellow eunuchs and friends��