Tropaion

This is the translated article of the initial Greek here by Nikos Papachristou.

From Kathimerini (EN)

By Nikos Papachristou - Kathimerini

The 12 gods of ancient Greece are still being worshipped in their country of origin.

Although the Orthodox Church is the established religion of modern Greece, an Athens court recently ruled in favor of an application for recognition by the religious group ELLIN.A.I.S — the Sacred Society of Ancient Religionists.

The ruling, issued on February 28, approves the society’s entire charter, which includes references to the enactment of rites such as marriage, the naming of children, funerals, as well as the procedures for ordaining priests and priestesses, in accordance with the precepts of the religion of the ancients.

The society’s next step will be to ask the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs for permission to set up premises and practice their rites in ancient temples such as the Acropolis and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, sources say.

ELLIN.A.I.S is not the first society of its kind, though none of these societies were recognized as religions. Efforts to achieve recognition often led to opposition from the Church of Greece.

Charter

The society was founded in October 2005 by 23 Greek citizens. According to its just-released charter of 18 articles, its purpose is the “free practice of the religion of the ancient Greeks... beginning with the prehistoric period and the Neo-Platonic and Neo-Pythagorean philosophers, right up until today.”

“The religion of the ancient Greek religionists is defined as the worship of the 12 Gods of Mt Olympus, as well as all the other gods honored by the ancient Greeks,” the charter reads. “It is also defined as the worship of heroes and ancestors in general.”

Reference to sacraments includes “rites in honor of the gods, heroes and ancestors, special celebrations of remembrance and honor such as for those who fell in the battles of Thermopylae and Salamis.”

Other rites include purifications and family ceremonies such as weddings, naming ceremonies and funerals. The religionists will practice in places set aside for worship of the ancient religion or in the temples of the ancient Greeks, with the permission of the state authorities.

Hierarchy

Of particular interest is the hierarchical structure as described in Article 4 of the charter.

“The members of the Society will elect a hieratic council consisting exclusively of those with a knowledge of the hieratic art who will also comprise the hierarchy of the Society, will organize and enact the sacraments, plan or otherwise assist in the community of ancient religionists,” it reads. “The council will include both men and women, called priests and priestesses, an unction bestowed upon them by the general assembly on their election.”

Ceremonies, which will be open to all, will include “hymns (sung or read) to the gods, the use of symbols and objects known in antiquity, statues, images and vessels.”

Sacrifices to the deities (which will be bloodless, with the use of fruit, plants, sweets, incense, wine, water and oil, among other substances) given that the concept of sacrifice is considered an essential part of ancient Greek religious practice.

Nevertheless, in order to avoid any misunderstandings, the society’s members make it clear that during the ceremonies any insults, curses or generally negative expressions will be strictly forbidden.

The society’s moral code is based on ancient Greek maxims that refer to respect for parents, sacred rites, life in accordance with the “Greek way,” and the preservation of one’s nation and city.

According to the court’s ruling (129), this religion is recognized in accordance with the constitution “as long as its beliefs are open and not concealed, they are taught openly and its sacraments practiced openly... by elected hieratic authorities, which will therefore be known to and so able to be monitored by the State.”

The court ruled that there was no indication that the practice of this form of worship was against any law or was a threat to public order or decency.

The members of ELLIN.A.I.S say the court’s ruling is an historic one since it overcomes obstacles raised in the past to followers of the ancient Greek religion to worship freely. Although there are no official figures regarding the number of the faithful, the US State Department’s annual report on religious freedom in Greece estimates that there are almost 2,000.

At least two applications have been submitted recently to the Education Ministry to set up a place of worship. Despite urging from the Citizens’ Ombudsman, there has been no reply.

“Perhaps they will now reconsider,” said a member of ELLIN.A.I.S.