Quot estis in convivio: Sôgmô creates, appoints Feaster

At the November 2018 Party Congress of the Citizens’ Party of Sandus, Party members focused on encouraging cultural cooperation and integration between citizens. A variety of solutions were discussed—encouraging “Sandum-adjacent” people to apply for citizenship, giving gifts to Sandum citizens, encouraging participation in holidays and online discussions—but one solution focused on creating a functionary, bureaucratic office to hold joyous events for all Sandum citizens involved.

On 20 December, during the Saturnalia, that position has now become the “Feaster,” or epulo in Latin after the Ancient Roman college of priests. The Sôgmô created the position today in a decree announced on Sandum media.

DECREE ON THE CREATION OF THE FEASTER POSITION

The Honourable Sôgmô Gaius Sörgel Publicola hereby proclaims, pursuant to the creation of a position encouraging cultural development and the sociocultural cohesion of Sandum citizens, the following:

1. A new functionary bureaucratic position of a Sandum citizen chargé(e) d’affaires will be established to serve Sandum citizens’ cultural and entertainment interests.
2. This functionary will be known as the Feaster in English, Épulon in French, and Epulo in Latin.
3. The Feaster must be a willing member of the Collegium Sacerdotum.
4. The Feaster will be charged with:
   1. Maintaining a list of important Sandum holidays (i.e., State holidays, important Sancta holidays at the Sacer Flamen’s discretion, and days of recognition at the Feaster’s discretion) with scholia on traditions and common practices done on them;
   2. Organising events in person for Sandum and non-Sandum citizens to celebrate holidays and also online, virtual events for Sandum citizens to meet and to celebrate important Sandum holidays together though apart, such as those referred to above;
   3. With the Sacer Flamen, advertising Sandum holidays through notices on social media, preferably which include some explanatory text and an attractive image;
   4. Proposing events, ceremonies, and rituals for the public at large—whether through public mass media (i.e., Veritum Sandus) or individually in private consultations—to celebrate Sandum holidays;
   5. Advising the Sôgmô on social, cultural, and festive policy when necessary;
   6. Performing other relevant duties expedient to the public weal.
5. The Feaster will be paid the standard annual salary of 8¶c per year on the Summer solstice.
6. As a functionary with an honorary title, the Feaster is entitled to the rank, degree, and privilege of a knight; will receive a special charge of a patera or chalice on their coat armorial; will be known, called, and addressed by the title; and will enjoy other privileges as their position and work-ethic merit.
7. The Feaster’s official carol is the 15^th century English macaronic carol the Boar’s Head.

Sisenna Melville, who is also the Bishop of ἡ Ἔκκλησία τῆς Σανδῆς (the Church of Sandus, a sodality of the Collegium Sacerdotum cooperative), has been appointed the first Sandum feaster.

The feaster is broadly charged with performing holiday duties, such as planning events and sharing information on the holiday—as well as sharing the spirit of the holiday! Special tasks include preparing for and celebrating important Sandum holidays, whether with other Sandum citizens or non-Sandum people, and consulting one-on-one with Sandum citizens on how to share the holiday spirit.

Melville will be compensated with the standard worker’s salary of 8¶c, and is entitled to (but does not automatically receive) a knighthood. As a knight, a feaster would receive a special charge of a patera or chalice on their coat of arms, and they also receive an official carol.