ORGY

An 'orgy' (όργιον) was a secret cultic congregation at nighttime in Ancient Greek religion, overseen by an ''orgiophant''.

Contents

Etymology

The Greek ''orgia''

World Record

Etymology

Greek όργιον is cognate with έργον "work, effect, [religious] service" (ultimately cognate to English ''work'' itself). The term was loaned into English in the 16th century, via the Latinized ''orgia''.
Since the 17th century, due to its connection with Dionysus and the Bacchanalia, the English term ''orgy'' could refer "any licentious revelry", in particular group sex or promiscuity, but the term can also denote other acts which may not include sex. For example an "alcoholic orgy" is an event where people show no restraint in alcohol consumption. This is better known as binge drinking.

The Greek ''orgia''

An ''orgion'' was a secret rite of the Greek Mystery religions, practiced in the worship of Demeter at Eleusis (mentioned in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter) or in worship of Dionysus (Herodotus 2.81), the Cabeiri, Demeter Achaia (Herodotus 2.51, 5.61), Orpheus, Eumolpus, or Cybele.
The term could also refer to rites or sacrifices in general, the verb ὀργιάζω denoting ritual celebration.

World Record

In October 2006, 500 Japanese participants (250 men, 250 women) met at an undisclosed location to attempt a "world record orgy". The event was filmed and photographed, and later made for sale as an adult video.[1]