History of the Order

The Order of Hermes is a “new” order - but its roots stretch far into the past and are solidly grounded in ancient mystical traditions and a clear understanding of ancient mystery teachings and theology.

The decision to found the Order was made by the Church hierarchy after the Interfaith Vigil for LGBTQ youth hosted by the motherchurch in September 2006 in response to horrific crimes against gay teens nationally and internationally. The Order of Hermes was one of two resultant organizations, the other was an interfaith council of clergy who were willing to advocate for LGBTQ youth and assist them with needs - physical or spiritual - in the Capital District of New York State,where the motherchurch is located..

The reason for the name of the Order is twofold.

1. God Hermes in the traditional Greek theology had many things in his portfolio. He was messenger of the gods of the universe to each other and sometimes to mortal men and women as well as being the patron of travelers, borders, thieves, orators and poets. It is noteworthy that he was also bisexual. Traditional treatment of the Greek cycle of divinity will note that he was often chasing various women around, but it is impossible to ignore the various males that he also loved, had sex with, and was devoted to. It was Hermes’ lover Crocus who was killed by a discus thrown by a god before being turned into a flower in many versions of that story. Stories suggest a romantic relationship between Hermes and the hero Perseus and one with Daphnis, the inventor of pastoral poetry, sometimes seen as the son of Hermes, but indicated by other period sources to be the divine messenger’s most favored lover.
2. Hermes Trismegistus (Hermes “Thrice Greatest” or in Latin: “Mercurius ter Maximus”). While scholars see Hermes Trismegistus as a syncretism of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian Thoth, there is more to the story. Not only did this divine combination result in Hermes Trismegistus becoming the patron also of Astrology and Alchemy - both respected and hidden arts through the ages -, but there are many references to ancient texts supposedly authored by him. While many scholars would assert that such a being never had physical form and therefore did not write any texts -- no one can deny that many texts are attributed to him, from the time of the Hellenistic period forward into the common era. Further, there are more ancient references still, such as Mycenaean Greek references to a triple hero found on two (2) Linear B clay tablets at Pylos. The tablet PY Tn 316 also contains references to Hermes, as do other Linear B tablets. Cicero goes further, enumerating five (5) different Hermes worshiped in various areas. Plato says that in the temple of Neith at Sais secret halls contain volumes stretching back thousands of years. Clement of Alexandria writes that the Egyptians had forty-two (42) sacred texts written by Hermes. A group of 17 known texts, called the Corpus Hermetica remain in use as a basis for many modern occult practices. Even in Judaism there are traditions that believe that Hermes Trismegistus preexisted Abraham and that Abraham obtained a large portion of his mystical knowledge from that physical Hermes present in his day. Arguably no greater foundation for the Western mystical and philosophical traditions exists than Hermes Trismegistus.

Therefore, the Order of Hermes is based not only on the status of Hermes as a bisexual deity who advocates and advocated for the rainbow of sexualities and identities, but also on the status he attains as the father of alchemy, astrology and mysticism. Secret orders for thousands of years have used the Hermetica and have acknowledged the influence of Hermes on their existence. We do the same, taking his name and accepting his patronage as an ascended master at the very least and as our spiritual head.

All Hail Hermes! All Hail Hermes Trismegistus! All Hail!