Daily Devotional: November 18th
Memorial to Porphyry the Philosopher
In Memory of Porphyry: Philosopher of the Soul (c. 234–305 CE)
Porphyry of Tyre, a luminous figure in the spiritual and intellectual traditions of late antiquity, devoted his life to the elevation of the human spirit. A devoted student of Plotinus, Porphyry refined and transmitted the teachings of Neoplatonism, emphasizing the soul's ascent to the divine through philosophy, virtue, and contemplation.
His writings, such as On Abstinence from Animal Food, reflected a profound commitment to the harmony between humanity and the cosmos, advocating for purity of life and respect for all beings as part of the divine order. Porphyry’s critiques of materialism and his defense of spiritual practices provided a bridge between the philosophical and mystical traditions of his time.
In his Against the Christians, Porphyry sought to reconcile differing spiritual paths and defended the enduring wisdom of the classical traditions, inviting dialogue on the nature of the divine. His contributions to metaphysics and theology underscored the unity of existence and the soul's journey toward ultimate truth.
Porphyry’s legacy lies not only in his erudition but in his call for the cultivation of the inner life. He remains a beacon for those who seek wisdom, transcendence, and a deeper connection to the universal source of being.
May his works continue to guide us in the pursuit of spiritual understanding and the fulfillment of our highest potential.
Prayer for Porphyry the Philosopher
May this prayer honor Porphyry, the philosopher, and may his timeless wisdom continue to illuminate the minds of those who seek understanding.
O Porphyry, sage of profound insight,
In the corridors of wisdom, your presence is bright.
In the philosophical dance, your steps we trace,
Guide us through the realms of celestial grace.
Porphyry, seeker of truth in the cosmic flow,
As the student of Plotinus, your wisdom did grow.
In the mysteries of existence, you took your part,
Lead us through the layers of metaphysical art.
Philosopher and sage, in pursuit of the divine,
May your teachings in our hearts forever shine.
In the Enneads and commentaries you penned,
May your wisdom echo through minds without end.
Oh Porphyry, defender of philosophic art,
In the pursuit of knowledge, may we play our part.
Guide us through the realms of the spiritual plane,
In your wisdom's glow, where truths remain.
In celestial spheres where ideas take flight,
Porphyry, may your influence be a guiding light.
In the symposium of philosophical thought,
May your spirit inspire the seekers lost.
Oh philosopher, in reverence, we declare,
For Porphyry's wisdom, beyond compare.
Guide us on the path of intellectual delight,
In the radiant glow of your eternal insight.
Daily Prayer XIV
Supreme, paternal deity, omnipotent and just,
Source of all goodness, in thy divine mind we trust.
Inheritors of virtue, bestowed by heavenly kin,
Mortal and prone to fault, yet capable of mend again.
Through the crucible of mortality, our errors find correction,
Guided by thy offspring, architects of redemption.
Grant liberation from the sorrows of our missteps,
Through thy progeny, be our journey gently swept.
Approaching the blameless, possessing virtuous intent,
May we, in thy likeness, with noble minds be sent.
Thou, gentle and benevolent, lead us on the path refined,
Father divine, in thy kindness, our souls aligned.
Daily Meditation
"You say, ‘The immortal angels stand before God, those who are not subject to human passion, and these we speak of as gods because they are near the godhead.’ Why do we argue about names? Is this [difference of opinion] not really a difference over names? The one whom the Greeks call Athena is called Minerva by the Romans, and she is called other things by the Egyptians, the Syrians, the Thracians, and so on. Is something lost (I think not!) in addressing the goddess by different names? Whether one addresses these divine beings as gods or angels matters very little, since their nature remains the same.”
—Porphyry
Against the Christians,
Porphyry makes an intriguing observation often overlooked by Christians and Gentiles alike. What Christians call angels, we Gentiles call gods. Functionally, they are the same. They are the divine beings closest to God and receive light and intellect directly from Him. Whether we call them angels or gods is little more than semantics or cultural norms. They are divine, intelligent beings closest to God who transmit His will and power into the lower realms.
Monthly Ascesis: Simple Rituals
“There is a simple formula to follow to begin making offerings to the gods. Since there are many gods, I recommend beginners direct all prayers to Mercury, who is the messenger of the gods. With this simple prayer, you can begin making offerings to all of divinity and know Mercury will deliver your prayers to the proper place.
Begin with this invocation:
Lord Mercury, messenger of heaven, swift-footed guide of mortals, hear my prayer and deliver it to the proper divinity:
[speak your prayer]
After your prayer, present your offering of food or incense and say:
Lord Mercury, be honored by this offering of [incense, food]
When you are finished, end with
Lord Mercury, be blessed. Fiat.
Fiat is pronounced Fee-aht and means 'Let it be done' in Latin.
If you are unable to make a material offering, that is okay. It is a gesture of honor and respect to the gods but is not necessary. Merely offering your thoughts and prayers is enough. The gods do not need our offerings to hear prayers. We offer these things out of gratitude and respect for them, not as a bribe or exchange of goods between us and the gods.”
-Excerpts from, Ascesis: the Handbook of Platonic Practice
Making simple offerings like this regularly sets our minds on the divine and places us in a giving posture toward the gods. The purpose of our rituals is not to ask for material goods but to give thanks to the gods and allow gratitude to fill our hearts. If we ask for anything from them in our prayers, we should ask for things that are like them such as virtues.
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