In
Mandaeism
Mandaeism ( Classical Mandaic: ࡌࡀࡍࡃࡀࡉࡉࡀ ; Arabic: المندائيّة ), sometimes also known as Nasoraeanism or Sabianism, is a Gnostic, monotheistic and ethnic religion. Its adherents, the Mandaeans, revere Adam, Ab ...
, a shganda (''šganda''; myz, ࡔࡂࡀࡍࡃࡀ) or ashganda (''ašganda'')
[Drower, E. S. 1960. ''The Secret Adam: A Study of Nasoraean Gnosis''. Oxford: Clarendon Press.] is a ritual assistant who helps
priests
A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particu ...
with ritual duties.
Tarmida initiations
Tarmida initiates or
novice
A novice is a person who has entered a religious order and is under probation, before taking vows. A ''novice'' can also refer to a person (or animal e.g. racehorse) who is entering a profession with no prior experience.
Religion Buddhism
...
s (''šualia'') have often been trained as shgandas when they were children. Initiates may or may not be married, although typically they are not yet married.
During
tarmida initiation ceremonies, shgandas, who represent emissaries from the
World of Light
In Mandaeism, the World of Light or Lightworld ( myz, ࡀࡋࡌࡀ ࡖࡍࡄࡅࡓࡀ, translit=alma ḏ-nhūra) is the primeval, transcendental world from which Tibil and the World of Darkness emerged.
Description
*The Great Life ('' Hayyi Ra ...
, also help perform the rituals, many of which are held in a specially constructed priest initiation hut (''
škinta'') and also a nearby temporary reed hut (''
andiruna'').
See also
*
Acolyte
An acolyte is an assistant or follower assisting the celebrant in a religious service or procession. In many Christian denominations, an acolyte is anyone performing ceremonial duties such as lighting altar candles. In others, the term is used f ...
*
Altar server
An altar server is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during a Christian liturgy. An altar server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as fetching and carrying, ringing the altar bell, helps bring up the gifts, brings up the b ...
References
Mandaeism
Mandaic words and phrases
Mandaean rituals
Mandaean titles
Religious occupations
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