A Litany for Antinous the Lover

by Merri-Todd Webster

In the Name of Antinous, the Lover, the Hero, the Agathos Daimon, the Fruitful God, the Lovable God, the Deified and Deifying One.

O lover of Hadrian, give us your blessings.

O lover of youths, give us your blessings.

O friend of Sabina, give us your blessings.

O companion of Diana, give us your blessings.

O lover of the earth, give us your blessings.

O lover of Rome, give us your blessings.

O lover of Arcadia, give us your blessings.

O lover of flowers, give us your blessings.

O lover of Pan, give us your blessings.

O lover of the hunt, give us your blessings.

O lover of the dance, give us your blessings.

O lover of music, give us your blessings.

O lover of the theatre, give us your blessings.

O lover of wine, give us your blessings.

O lover of parties, give us your blessings.

O lover of the body, give us your blessings.

O lover of the soul, give us your blessings.

O lover of gods, give us your blessings.

O lover of mortals, give us your blessings.

O joyful lover of life, friend and companion, fruitful god, loving and lovable god, in peace and in strife, in joy and in sorrow, in solitude and in company, ever be with us and give us the deifying blessing of your love, beloved Antinous.

Ave, vive Antinoe!