Hellenic polytheism

Hellenic polytheism refers to a polytheistic religion honoring the gods of the ancient Greek pantheon.

Ancient Hellenic polytheism

Main article: Ancient Greek religion.

Modern revivalist movements

Naming

Modern revivalist or reconstructionist Hellenic polytheism exists in several forms, both in Greece and in other countries. There are no standardized naming practices for this religion, and individual practitioners and groups use a variety of names, often reflecting subtle differences in belief or practice. The Greek organization YSEE (Ύπατο Συμβούλιο των Ελλήνων Εθνικών, Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes) refers to the religion as the "Ethnic Polytheistic, Hellenic Tradition", or simply "Hellenism", and its practitioners as "Ethnikoi Hellenes". Another Greek organization, Dodekatheon (, Dōdekátheon), uses the term (hellēnikē thrēskeîa, translated as "Hellenic religion"). A third, the Helliniki Hetaireia Archaiophilon (Societas Hellenica Antiquariorum), prefers the phrase, "traditional Hellenic religion of the Dodecatheon".

The US-based organization Hellenion uses the term "Hellenismos" (, Hellēnismós). This term, corresponding to the English word Hellenism, meant (in ancient Greek) the civilization and culture of ancient Greece, and is used in modern Greek to refer to the totality of the Greek people and culture. The term's use in religion stems from a systemization of Greek Religion done by the Roman Emperor Julian. Its use to refer to modern revivalist Hellenic polytheism was popularized by Andrew Campbell, Hellenion's founder and the author of Old Stones, New Temples. Another American group, Elaion, uses the term "Greek: , dodeka, "twelve" + , theïsmós, "belief in the gods"). "Hellenic Paganism" is frequently used, most notably on the HellenicPagan mailing list, which at over 400 members is the largest English-language discussion group for Hellenic polytheists. However, some Hellenic polytheists, such as the members of YSEE ([http://www.ysee.gr/index-eng.php?type=english&f=faq#24" target="_blank" >^*), object to the use of the word "Pagan" to characterize their religious practices because of the term's origin as an insult.

Other terms in common usage by revivalist Hellenic polytheists include "Hellenic" or "Greek reconstructionism" and "Hellenic Traditionalism". Those whose religious practice combines Greek and Roman elements may use terms such as "Graeco-Roman Paganism" or "Classical Paganism". (For Roman revivalist religion, see Religio Romana; many practitioners of Religio Romana are also members of the organization Nova Roma.)

Beliefs and practices

Hellenic polytheists worship the ancient Greek Gods—the Olympians, nature divinities, underworld deities—and heroes. Ancestors are honoured, both physical and spiritual. It is primarily a devotional or votive religion, based on the exchange of gifts (offerings) for the gods' blessings. Hellenismos has an ethical system based on the principles of reciprocity, hospitality, and moderation.

There is no central "ecclesia" (church) or hierarchal clergy, though some groups are beginning to offer training to those who wish to serve in that capacity. Individual worshippers are generally expected to perform their own rituals and learn about the religion and the Gods by reference to primary and secondary sources on ancient Greek religion and through personal religious experience, often referred to in Hellenic groups as "UPG" (Unverified Personal Gnosis).

Hellenismos isn't a book-based religion; there is no single text believed by worshippers to be the word of the Gods. Instead, theological beliefs and practices are based on multiple sources:

Works of Homer, Hesiod, and others.
Individual experience and inspiration.
Scholarly research.

The main value of Hellenism is eusebeia, often translated as piety. This implies a commitment to the worship of the Hellenic Gods and action to back this up. Other core values are hospitality, self-control and moderation.

Reconstructionism

In polytheism, Reconstructionism is a methodology which attempts to accurately base modern religious practice on culturally and historically genuine examples of ancient religious practices. Other polytheistic groups that frequently use Reconstructionist methodologies include Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism, Germanic Neopaganism, and Kemetic Orthodoxy.

Not all modern Hellenic polytheists use a Reconstructionist methodology. A 2004 survey of 94 American Hellenic polytheists by Sarah Winter showed that 64% considered themselves to be Reconstructionists. Kharis:Hellenic Polytheism Explored by Sarah K. I. Winter. Self-published. (2004) The term is frequently used in the United States to differentiate between syncretic and eclectic Neopagan movements and those based in the mythology and religious practice of a specific ancient polytheistic culture.

Syncretic and eclectic movements

Several modern syncretic and eclectic religious movements incorporate aspects of Hellenic polytheism.

=Hellenic polytheism and Wicca

= Ancient Greek religion and mythology are a major source of inspiration for many Neopagans, and worship of the Greek Gods is frequently incorporated into the practice of Neopagan religions such as Wicca. A popular Wiccan chant recites the names of seven goddesses ("Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Innana"), three of whom are Greco-Roman in origin. ^* Robert Graves developed his theory of the Triple Goddess in his writings on Greek mythology, and many Wiccans today recognize the Greek goddesses Persephone, Demeter, and Hecate as representative of the Maiden, Mother, and Crone aspects of the Triple Goddess.

Though there are some Wiccan covens dedicated to specific Greek deities, few groups identify themselves specifically as "Hellenic Wiccan". Wicca does not require its practitioners to dedicate themselves exclusively to one pantheon, so most Wiccan worship of Greek gods occurs in the context of an eclectic approach that draws on the mythology of many cultures. This difference in approach has caused a great deal of tension between Wiccans and American Hellenic polytheists, especially those who consider themselves Reconstructionists. ^* Specific practices that some Reconstructionists find offensive include the use of magic, historically inaccurate portrayals of the Greek gods in Neopagan literature, and generalizations about Neopaganism that assume the term applies only to those who practice Wicca or Wicca-inspired religions.

=Hellenic polytheism and Christianity

There have been some modern attempts to combine elements of Hellenic polytheism with Christianity, most visibly by a small Chicago group called the Shrine of the Sleeping Gods, who worship Jesus along with the Greek gods (with specific devotion to Aphrodite Urania) in a practice they refer to as Christo-Hellenism.

Discrimination and controversy

Main article:Persecution of Ancient Greek Religion

Ancient Greek religion was historically a community religion. Due to the vagaries of history, the Christianization of Greece and the destruction of Greco-Roman culture was especially brutal. The modern Church of Greece...

The 2004 Summer Olympics stirred up several disputes concerning Hellenic polytheistic religion.

Professor Giorgos Dontas, president of the Archaeological Society of Athens expressed public outrage at the destruction of ancient archaeological sites around the Parthenon and Acropolis in preparation for the Games.

Prior to the Olympic Games, MSNBC correspondent Rehema Ellis in a story called It's Greek to Me: Group Tries to Restore Pagan Worship documented the vandalism and arson of a bookstore in Athens which sold books promoting ancient Greek religion. She also interviewed several adherents who were upset about the current state of affairs in Greece. Ellis said: "A contrast in this place where the Olympic Games were created to honour Zeus — now those praying to the ancient gods are criticized for putting too much faith in the past"

The Greek Society of the Friends of the Ancients objected to the commercial use of Athena and Phevos as the official mascots of the 2004 Summer Olympics held in Athens. They felt that the caricatured representations of the Greek Gods Athena and Phoebus were disrespectful and culturally insensitive.

Notes

References

Greek Folk Religion by Martin P. Nilsson ISBN 0812210344 (1998)
Athenian Religion: A History by Robert Parker ISBN 019815240X (1998)
Greek Religion by Walter Burkert ISBN 0674362810 (1987)
Demolish Them by Vlassis Rassias ISBN 9608531136 (1994)
"Some still put faith in gods of the past" by Kimberly Winston, Chicago Tribune Aug. 20, 2004