Lesser Festivals are those that many in the Ekklesía observe that are directly related to the lives and mythology of Hadrian and Antinous, but are not as prominent as the Greater Festivals.  The designation of “lesser” is not meant to indicate that these festivals are not important.  In fact, some of the Lesser Festivals are observed with much energy and devotion and are considered to be very important to many in the Ekklesía.  However, the Lesser Festivals tend not to be as universally observed as the Greater Festivals.

January

8 – Dies Divae

13 – Dies Natalis Aelii Caesaris

24 – Birth of Hadrian

 

February

25 – Adoption of Antoninus Pius

 

March

01 – Apotheosis of Antoninus Pius

5-11 – Festival of the Trophimoi and Herodes Attikos

19 – Quinquatrus/Festival of the Spider Hunt

21 – Apotheosis of Diva Sabina Augusta

 

May

1 – Venatio Apri /Boar Hunt

10 – Antinoopolitan Lovers/ Dies Sancti Ignoti

15 – Antinous Neos Hermes

19 – Bendideia

Mother’s Day – Mantinoë’s Day

 

July

1 – Disciplina

9 – First Entry of Hadrian as Emperor into Urbis Romae

10 – Death of Hadrian

16 – Antinoan Arbor Day/Hadrian’s Wall Day

25 – Dies Caniculares/Rising of Sirius/Antinous Kynegeticos

 

August

11 – Accession of Hadrian as Emperor in Nikomedia

13 – Natalis Dianae/Birth of Diana

29 – Diva Matidia named Augusta

 

September

21 – Hadrian and Antinous at the Eleusinian Mysteries

 

October

24 – Sacred Nights of Antinous: Festival of Osiris

25 – Sacred Nights: Panthea

26 – Sacred Nights: Ophidia

27 – Sacred Nights: Ananke Antinoou

29 – Sacred Nights: Antinous in the Underworld

31 – Sacred Nights: Antinous Triumphantus

 

November

19-21 – Visit to the Colossoi of Memnon

29 – First entry of Hadrian into Oxyrynchus

Thanksgiving – Bithynia Day

 

December

1 – First Entry of Hadrian into Tebtynis

13 – Vicennalia of Hadrian

21 – Antinous Epiphanes