Mastammaya (Mast-am-maya)

Mastammaya is the small cake-like food that is served to those who are entering into the Children of the Light, generally around the age of 5 years old. this ceremony is held each year on the first day of Annotide.

Execution

When a child is old enough to speak, and repeat the words of committment to the Children of the Light, they are brought to the Temple and bathed by their parents under the supervsion of an acolylte. The child is then dressed in a white robe, and a brooch representing the Risen that the child is being dedicated to is used to fasten the robe. The child, with their parents are the nescorted to the center of the Temple, where the priest or priestess representing the chossen Risen conducts the Ceremony of Becoming.
The child is asked if they are ready to join with their parents as a member of the Temple, and then they are asked to repeat the Three Oaths after the priest speaks them. Once that part of the Ceremony is completed, an acolyte presents the priest with a tray holding the Mastammaya, which is elvish for "Our Holy Cake". The priest blesses it and then breaks it into thirds. The first third is presented to the mother of the child, who says to them "When you were born, I fed you from my body, now the Risen feed you from their bodies". With that she places the portion of Mastammaya in the child's mouth to eat. Once the child has finished, the priest hands the second portion of Mastammaya to the father. The father says to the child, "When you were born, I protected you with my body, now the Risen protect you with their bodies." After the child consumes that piece, the priest presents the third and final piece, saying, "When you were born, I came to your house to bless your spirit, now the Risen invite your spirit to their house to bless you in this life and beyond."
Once all the children who are going through this ceremony have completed their parts, a general ceremony of blessing is held, and then afterwards their is usually a celebration held

Primary Related Location

Temple of the Light

Related Organizations

• Children of the Light