View source for Hellenism (modern religion)

{{short description|Modern religion derived from ancient Greek beliefs}}
{{about|modern Greek polytheism|the historical Greek religion|Ancient Greek religion}}
{{redirect-distinguish-text|Olympianism|[[Olympism]], the philosophy of the modern Olympic games}}
{{POV|date=December 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Ancient Greek religion}}
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| image1            = Hellenism symbol.svg
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| caption1          = The [[laurel wreath]], the symbol used to identify Hellenism
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| caption2          = Greek god [[Apollo]] holding the laurel wreath
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'''Hellenism''' ({{langx|el|Ἑλληνισμός}}){{Efn|An alternative term in English is Hellenismos, the transliteration of the Greek Ἑλληνισμός.}} in a religious context refers to the modern pluralistic religion practiced in [[Greece]] and around the world by several communities derived from the [[Ancient Greek religion|beliefs]], [[Greek mythology|mythology]], and rituals from antiquity through and up to today. It is a system of thought and spirituality with a shared culture and values, and common ritualistic, linguistic, and literary tradition. More broadly, Hellenism centers itself on the worship of [[List of Greek deities|Hellenic deities]], namely the [[twelve Olympians]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=22 February 2017|title=The Ancient Greek practice of Hellenism lives on as a modern religion|url=https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/02/22/the-ancient-greek-practice-of-hellenism-lives-on-as-a-modern-religion/|access-date=2021-08-15|website=The Vintage News|language=en}}</ref>

Greeks who identify their religion and way of life with Hellenism are commonly referred to as Εθνικοί Έλληνες (Ethnic Hellenes). Non-Greek devotees of the Greek gods who embody Hellenic ideals commonly referred to  Hellenists. Hellenism is sometimes referred to as a Pagan religion; this classification is also at times used as a pejorative for Greeks.<ref>{{Citation|title=Vlassis G. Rassias: What you call 'Paganism' invented Democracy (ENG SUB)| date=21 June 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPRuUVXPhDc|language=en|access-date=2022-02-08}}</ref> ''Olympianismos'' (Olympianism) and ''Neopaganismos'' ([[Modern paganism|Neopaganism]]) are used by the [[Greek Orthodox Church]] in a derogatory manner, while the term ''Dodekatheismos'' (religion of twelve gods) is used by both Christian critics and some polytheists.<ref name="Thykier Makeeff 20192">{{Cite thesis |title=Do Satyrs Wear Sneakers? : Hellenic Polytheism and the Reception of Antiquity in Contemporary Greece – a study in serious play |url=http://lup.lub.lu.se/record/edcbc1ea-f586-4cf9-8e36-4ac41726e888 |publisher=Lund University |year=2019 |degree=thesis/docmono |first=Tao |last=Thykier Makeeff}}</ref>

Another more general name for this religion is Hellenic [[polytheism]] or [[paganism]].<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hellenic Polytheism and the Reconstruction of Greek Paganism |url=https://www.learnreligions.com/about-hellenic-polytheism-2562548 |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Learn Religions |language=en}}</ref> This term is used most often outside of Greece.

Some academics use the term 'ancient Greek religion' as a catch-all term in Greece, in order to differentiate it from the Orthodox religion which is also sometimes presented as the 'national religion'.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Sakellariou |first=Alexandros |date=2021 |title=The reconstruction of ancient Greek religion: Practicing Hellenic religious tradition in contemporary Greek society |url=https://www.academicpublishing.co/wjcs-12-article-3.html |journal=Wuhan Journal of Cultic Studies |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=140–154}}</ref> Followers of "ancient Greek religion" in Greece argue that the term "ancient" is not appropriate, as they claim their beliefs have been continuously practiced, sometimes secretly, and are still alive today.

Ancient Greek religion has manifested itself as 'known religion' (γνωστή θρησκεία) in Greece through the two religious names, ''Hellenic Ethnic Religion''{{efn|
*{{langx|grc|Ἑλληνική ἐθνική θρησκεία|Hellēnikḗ ethnikḗ thrēskeía}} {{IPA|grc|hel.lɛː.ni.kɛ̌ː e.tʰni.kɛ̌ː tʰrɛːs.kěː.a|label=[[Attic Greek|Attic]]–[[Ionic Greek|Ionic]] pronunciation}}, {{IPA|grc-x-koine|(h)ɛl.le̝.niˈke̝ ɛ.θniˈke̝ θre̝sˈki.a|link=yes}}
*{{langx|el|Ελληνική εθνική θρησκεία|Ellinikí ethnikí thriskeía}}, {{IPA|el|e̞.li.niˈci e̞.θn̪iˈci θɾis̠ˈci.a|label=[[Modern Greek]]:}}
*{{langx|la|Hellēnica gentīlis religiō}}, {{IPA|la-x-classic|(h)ɛlˈleː.nɪ.ka ɡɛn̪ˈt̪iː.l̪ɪs̠ rɛˈl̪ɪ.ɡi.oː|lang|link=yes}}}} and ''Ancient Hellenic Religion''.{{Efn|Greek: Αρχαία ελληνική θρησκεία}}<ref name="Αρχαία Ελληνική Θρησκεία">{{Cite web|title=Αρχαία Ελληνική Θρησκεία|url=https://www.ancienthellenicreligion.com/|access-date=2021-07-16|language=en-US}}</ref> ''Hellenic Ethnic Religion'' is represented by the [[Supreme Council of Ethnic Hellenes]] ([[Greek language|Greek]]: Ύπατο Συμβούλιο των Ελλήνων Εθνικών) while ''Ancient Hellenic Religion'' is represented by [[Ellinais]] (Hellenic Ancient-Religious Holy Society) ([[Greek language|Greek]]: ΕΛΛΗΝ.Α.Ι.Σ - Ελλήνων Αρχαιοθρήσκων Ιερόν Σωματείον)<ref>{{Cite web |title=ΕΛΛΗΝ.Α.Ι.Σ. – ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ ΑΡΧΑΙΟΘΡΗΣΚΩΝ ΙΕΡΟΝ ΣΩΜΑΤΕΙΟΝ |url=https://ancienthellenicreligion.gr/ |access-date=2023-01-12 |language=el}}</ref>

Various religious movements reviving or [[Polytheistic reconstructionism|reconstructing]] many [[Ancient Greek religion|ancient Greek religious practices]] have been publicly emerging since the 1990s. In 2006, Ancient Hellenic Religion, was granted "known religion" status by Greece.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Διάρθρωση του ΕΛΛΗΝ.Α.Ι.Σ – ΕΛΛΗΝ.Α.Ι.Σ. |url=https://ancienthellenicreligion.gr/diarthrosi-tou-ellin-a-i-s/ |access-date=2023-01-12 |language=el |archive-date=3 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903185117/http://ancienthellenicreligion.gr/diarthrosi-tou-ellin-a-i-s/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2017, Greece legally recognized Hellenic Religion as a "known religion." With the status of "known religion" both religions attained certain religious freedoms in Greece, including the freedom to open houses of worship and for clergy to officiate at weddings.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hellenism legally recognized as religion in Greece|url=http://wildhunt.org/2017/04/greek-paganism-legally-recognized-as-known-religion-in-greece.html|access-date=2017-04-09|publisher=wildhunt.org|quote=This was recognition of our Religion as such, by the official authorities of the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Matters.}}</ref>

== Naming and terminology ==
[[File:JulianusII-antioch(360-363)-CNG.jpg|thumb|left|[[Julian (emperor)|Emperor Julian the Philosopher]]]]
Hellenism (in Greek Ἑλληνισμός) has been used to refer to paganism since the time of [[Julian (emperor)|Emperor Julian the Philosopher]],<ref>{{cite web |title=S.V. Ἑλληνισμός |url=https://logeion.uchicago.edu/%E1%BC%99%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%B7%CE%BD%CE%B9%CF%83%CE%BC%CF%8C%CF%82 |website=Logeion |access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref> who may have been the first to use the term as such in his letter to Ascanius:

{{blockquote| " '''The Hellenic religion''' does not yet prosper as I desire, and it is the fault of those who profess it; for the worship of the gods is on a splendid and magnificent scale, surpassing every prayer and every hope."|author=Emperor Julian, translated by Wilmer C. Wright <ref>{{Cite book|last=Wright|first=Wilmer C.|title=Julian, Volume III|date=1923|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=9780674991736|location=Cambridge, MA |oclc=32021949 }}</ref>}}

In the original Greek:

{{blockquote|'''Ὁ Ἑλληνισμὸς''' οὔπω πράττει κατὰ λόγον ἡμῶν ἕνεκα τῶν μετιόντων αὐτόν· τὰ γὰρ τῶν θεῶν λαμπρὰ καὶ μεγάλα, κρείττονα πάσης μὲν εὐχῆς, πάσης δὲ ἐλπίδος.}}

Thus some Hellenists use the term Hellenism or Hellenismos as a religious label in homage to Emperor [[Julian (emperor)|Julian]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mierzwicki |first=Tony |title=Hellenismos: Practicing Greek Polytheism Today |date=2018 |publisher=Llewellyn Publications |pages=6}}</ref> The late [[Vlassis Rassias|Vlassis G. Rassias]] defined Hellenism beyond religious simplification, explaining it to be the Hellenic "way of life" , or "worldview."<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmuyry96kZc |title=What is Hellenismos? Simply explained by Vlassis G. Rassias |date=2019-11-22 |last=hellenismostv |access-date=2024-12-02 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

The phrase "Hellenic polytheistic reconstructionism" refers specifically to the methodology used by some practitioners to recreate the religion based on academic sources, rather than the religion itself, and not all Hellenists are reconstructionists. Other organizations, such as {{Lang|el-Latn|Dodekatheon}} ({{lang|el|Δωδεκάθεον}}),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dwdekatheon.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040105222011/http://www.dwdekatheon.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-01-05 |title=Δωδεκάθεον – Πύλη |publisher=Dwdekatheon.org |access-date=2014-06-10 }}</ref> the {{Lang|el-Latn|Helliniki Hetaireia Archaiophilon}} (Societas Hellenica Antiquariorum), and the {{Lang|el-Latn|Thyrsos}} ({{Lang|el|Θύρσος}}) use a combination of terms interchangeably, including "{{Lang|el-Latn|elliniki thriskia}}" ("{{lang|el|ἑλληνικὴ θρησκεία}}", "Hellenic religion"), "''Hellenic polytheistic religion''", and "''Hellenism.''"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/7773/eea2.html |title=Societas Hellenica Antiquariorum – Helliniki Hetaireia Archaiophilon |date=27 October 2009 |access-date=2014-06-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027121507/http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/7773/eea2.html |archive-date=27 October 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thyrsos.gr/englishindex.html |title=Thyrsos – Hellenes Gentiles |publisher=Thyrsos.gr |access-date=2014-06-10}}</ref>

Other terms in common usage by Hellenists include "Greek reconstructionism" and "Hellenic Traditionalism," but the two are not synonymous.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neokoroi.org/religion/articles/livinghellenicreconstructionism|title=Living Hellenic Reconstructionism|access-date=20 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115021719/http://www.neokoroi.org/religion/articles/livinghellenicreconstructionism|archive-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> The American group Elaion uses the term "Dodekatheism" ({{Langx|el|δώδεκα}}, {{Lang|el-Latn|dodeka}}, "twelve" + {{lang|el|θεϊσμός}}, {{Lang|el-Latn|theïsmós}}, "belief in the gods") to describe their approach to the Hellenic religion, stating that the term "has been used for some time within and outside Greece to refer to ancient Greek religion and we feel that it is important for those of us outside Greece share a common name and identity with our co-religionists in the homeland of our spirituality," and that the term 'Hellenism' is linked too closely in current use to the modern Greek nation.<ref name=ElaionFAQ>{{cite web|url=http://elaion.org/faq/ |title=Elaion FAQ |publisher=Elaion.org |access-date=2019-04-08 }}</ref>

== Theology and values ==
When discussing [[theology]], opinions are divided. Some argue that theology is a fundamental part of the ancient tradition and an integral part of ancient philosophy. Some groups, such as [[Supreme Council of Ethnic Hellenes|YSEE]], have published materials about the ancient Greek religion that include a section on theology and praxis, but without specific reference to philosophers or philosophical movements. Others disagree that theology is a central part of the ancient religion and practice. They argue that since they do not have any [[dogma]]s or [[holy book]]s, theology only relates to philosophical movements such as [[Epicureanism]], and that at the community level, they reject any association with specific philosophical paths. They see any such choice as a personal one, not one that should be endorsed by a group or the community, as is the case with monotheistic religions. They consider the rituals based on mythology, with myths forming the basis of their festivals, and there is no theology behind them.<ref name=":2" />

This perspective does not mean that members of the community or broader Hellenic religious milieu can do whatever they please. It is acknowledged that there are certain principles, rooted in tradition, that should be followed and accepted by members. As one follower stated, "you can't be dogmatic in our circles, because we don't have a dogma [laughing], ... there are of course some guiding principles that one needs to follow because they are based on tradition, these are things that you need to follow."<ref name=":2" /> This means that values are still present and should be adhered to. In some cases, they are openly stated in the group's texts:

{{blockquote|The values that govern and guide Labrys religious community are: [[Eusebeia|Eusebia]] (Piety), in our relationship with the Gods; Organikotis (Kinship), in our relationships within the Community; [[Dike (mythology)|Dikaiosyne]] (Justice), in terms of members' relations within the Community and also as a guiding principle in the conduct of the community as a whole towards third parties. The members of Labrys religious community also aim at achieving [[Eudaimonia]] [happiness] through attaining freedom, autonomy and self-sufficiency.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=LABRYS |title=About us |url=http://www.labrys.gr/en/about.html |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.labrys.gr}}</ref>}}

It is clear that certain values are held in common within the community and should be accepted by members, but there is no such requirement for theological or philosophical beliefs. As one member stated, "it doesn't matter if you have read [[Homer]] or [[Hesiod]]. The most important is piety. To be possessed by Gods and be pious is the A and Z." Piety was mentioned by most, if not all, members as one of the most important values that people should follow in their everyday lives.<ref name=":2" />

Prominent concepts include, but are not restricted to: [[Eusebeia]] (piety), [[Arete]] (virtue), and [[Xenia (Greek)|Xenia]] (hospitality). These are rooted in the various ancient Greek values concepts that they look to for guidance and inspiration from the Tenets of [[Solon]], the [[Delphic maxims]], the [[Golden verses of Pythagoras]], [[Epicurean philosophy]], the ethics of [[Aristotle]], [[Stoic philosophy]] and more.<ref name="Alexander">{{cite book |last= Alexander |first= Timothy Jay |title= A Beginner's Guide to Hellenismos |year= 2007 |publisher= Lulu.com |isbn= 9781430324560}}</ref>

=== Eusebeia ===
{{Main|Eusebeia}}
Eusebeia (Εὐσέβεια) is often translated as "piety" or "reverent conduct" (towards gods or parents), "reverence," "respect."<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Cambridge Greek Lexicon |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2021 |edition=1st |pages=630}}</ref> Eusebeia is the basic practice of Hellenic Religion, fundamental in every way. ''Eusebeia'' is the attitude and practice of showing respect and reverence to the Gods and parents. The Delphic Maxims say "Follow God" ({{lang|grc<!--not el, judging from use of breathing marks-->|Έπου θεώ}}), "Worship the Gods" ({{lang|grc|Θεούς σέβου}}), and "Respect Your Parents" ({{lang|grc|Γονείς αίδου}}).<ref>{{Cite web |work=HellenicGods.org |title=e |url=https://www.hellenicgods.org/e |access-date=2023-01-13 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Arete ===
{{Main|Arete}}
Arete ({{lang|grc|Ἀρετή}}) is often translated as "excellence" or "moral virtue."<ref name="lsja">[[Henry Liddell|Liddell, H. G.]] & [[Robert Scott (philologist)|Scott, R.]] ''[[A Greek–English Lexicon]]'', 9th ed. (Oxford, 1940), [[Sub voce#sub verbo|s.v.]] [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=LSJ%20a)reth/&lang=original {{lang|grc|ἀρετή}}].</ref> Arete is intrinsic to the concept of living up to one's potential. For modern Hellenists, arete is one of the most important virtues, and it is believed that cultivating it will lead to a good life of happiness and prosperity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hellenicgods.org/virtue-in-hellenismos |title=Arætí: virtue in hellenismos |publisher=HellenicGods.org |access-date=2020-06-23}}</ref> Cultivating arete is not limited to just one domain, but also refers to the improvement of all aspects of one's existence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hellenicfaith.com/virtue/ |title=Virtue |date=13 August 2017 |publisher=HellenicFaith.com |access-date=2020-06-23 }}</ref>

In the [[Iliad]] and [[Odyssey]] of [[Homer]], "arete" is used mainly to describe heroes and nobles and their mobile dexterity, with special reference to strength and courage, but it is not limited to this. [[Penelope]]'s arete, for example, relates to co-operation, for which she is praised by [[Agamemnon]]. The excellence of the gods generally included their power, but, in the [[Odyssey]] (13.42), the gods can grant excellence to a life, which is contextually understood to mean prosperity.

=== Xenia ===
{{Main|Xenia (Greek)}}
''Xenia'' ({{lang|grc|Ξενία}}) is the concept of hospitality and is sometimes translated as "guest-friendship" or "ritualized friendship."<ref name="The Greek world">{{Cite book|title=The Greek world|date=1995|publisher=Routledge|others=Anton Powell|isbn=0-203-04216-6|location=London|oclc=52295939}}</ref> It is an institutionalized relationship, rooted in generosity, gift exchange, and reciprocity; fundamental aspects of ''xenia''.<ref name="Wiley-Blackwell">{{Cite book|title=A companion to Hellenistic literature|date=2014|publisher=Wiley-Blackwell|first1=James Joseph |last1=Clauss |first2=Martine |last2=Cuypers|isbn=978-1-4051-3679-2|location=Chichester|oclc=870972277}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=McClure|first=Laura K.|title=A Companion to Euripides.|date=2016|publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-119-25752-3|location=Somerset|oclc=967546882}}</ref> Historically, hospitality towards foreigners (Hellenes not of one's polis) and guests was a moral obligation. Hospitality towards foreign Hellenes honored [[Zeus]] ''Xenios'' (and [[Athene]] ''Xenia''), patrons of foreigners.<ref>{{Cite book|title=A companion to Greek religion|date=2007|publisher=Blackwell Pub|first=Daniel |last=Ogden|isbn=978-1-4051-8216-4|location=Malden, Massachusetts|oclc=173354759}}</ref> In aristocratic circles, as early as the Homeric epics, it was as a sort of fictitious kinship, cemented not only by ties of hospitality and gift exchange but by an obligation to promote the interests of the xenos.<ref name="The Greek world"/> ''Theoxenia'' is a theme in Greek mythology in which human beings demonstrate their virtue or piety by extending hospitality to a humble stranger (xenos), who turns out to be a disguised deity (theos) with the capacity to bestow rewards.

=== Offerings and rituals ===
Offerings and [[libation]]s are considered sacred integral acts within worship.<ref name=":5">{{cite book |first1= Christos |last1= Panopoulos |first2= Panagiotis |last2= Panagiotopoulos |first3= Erymanthos |last3= Armyras |editor1-first= Mano |editor1-last= Madytinos |editor2-first= Lesley |editor2-last= Madytinou |editor3-first= Vasilios |editor3-last= Tsantilas |title= Hellenic Polytheism : Household Worship |date= 20 November 2014 |publisher= LABRYS Polytheistic Community |isbn= 9781503121881}}</ref><ref name="Alexander"/> There are several types of offerings that are performed, [[sacrifice]]s, [[votive offering]]s, and [[libation]]s.

{{blockquote|Without sacrifices, prayers are words only; but accompanied with sacrifices they become animated words; and words indeed corroborating life.|[[Sallustius (Neoplatonist)|Sallustius]]<ref name="Alexander"/>}}

Devotees are divided upon the question of [[animal sacrifice]]. Some are fine with the practice,<ref name="Alexander"/> while others do not engage in the practice at all.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hellenicgods.org/burntofferings |title=Burnt Offerings and Blood Sacrifice |publisher=HellenicGods.org |access-date=2020-06-22 }}</ref> Some instead offer symbolic food of the animal that is sacrificed instead of the animal, often though not exclusively fruit, bread, or cakes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecauldron.net/dc-tahiera.php|title=Ta Hiera (The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum)|access-date=20 April 2015}}</ref> Worship generally takes the form of [[prayer]], [[Ancient Egyptian offerings|offerings]], and setting up [[altar]]s. Altars serve as the sacred place and focal point of worship to one or more given deities, where offerings and prayers are made to the gods.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-13 |title=Household worship |url=https://hellenicfaith.com/household-worship/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Hellenic Faith |language=en}}</ref>

== Beliefs ==
Hellenism has historically been a pluralistic religion with beliefs ranging between [[polytheism]], [[animism]] and [[monism]], although a Hellenist may hold beliefs that fall into all of these categories. Additionally, there are other interpretations of divinity in line with Hellenistic philosophies, like [[Epicureanism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmO-s9qkrgA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/pmO-s9qkrgA| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=On the Epicurean Gods|year=2020|publisher=Society of Friends of Epicurus}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Hellenism is, in practice, primarily centered around polytheistic and animistic worship.
 
Devotees worship the [[List of Greek deities|Greek gods]], which include [[Twelve Olympians]], divinities and spirits of nature (such as [[nymphs]]), underworld deities ([[chthonic]] gods) and [[Greek hero cult|heroes]]. Both physical and spiritual ancestors are greatly honored. The gods exhibit both universal and local qualities. For the Greeks, "their gods were at the same time universal, found everywhere and powerful over the whole world, and intensely local, manifesting themselves in particular places."<ref>{{Cite book|last=Osborne|first=Robin|title=The Oxford handbook of ancient Greek religion|date=2017|publisher=Oxford University Press|others=Esther Eidinow, Julia Kindt|isbn=978-0-19-881017-9|location=Oxford, United Kingdom|pages=13|oclc=987423652}}</ref>

Some Hellenists may also enrich their beliefs through metaphysical schools or frameworks of Ancient Greece and the Hellenistic world with developed cosmological systems.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Cosmology | url=https://www.hellenicfaith.com/cosmology | website=Hellenic Faith | date=12 August 2017 | access-date=2023-11-15}}</ref> Amongst the most prominent of these schools are [[neoplatonism]] and [[stoicism]].

== Festivals ==
[[File:Adonia-Festival-Anicent-Hellenic-Religion.jpg|left|thumb|Celebration of the Adonia, Greece]]

There are many festivals throughout the year that many seek to celebrate, where the dates are often set by the lunisolar [[Attic calendar]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Hellenion|url=http://www.hellenion.org/2020-hellenion-calendar/|access-date=2020-06-24|language=en-US}}</ref> The festivals typically commemorate events in Greek history, honoring [[List of Greek deities|deities]] that the festivals celebrate, and connote spiritual themes. The celebrations incorporate religious themes, arts, sacrifices and offerings, family get togethers and feasts. Popular sacred days are [[Deipnon]], [[Noumenia]] and [[Agathos Daimon]].<ref name=":0" />

Hellenic festivals include:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://elaion.org/resource-centre/pat-rituals/ |title=PAT rituals |website=elaion.org |publisher= Elaion |access-date=6 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hellenion.org/festivals/ |title=Festivals |website=hellenion.org |publisher= hellenion |access-date=6 July 2020}}
</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Anthesteria]]
* [[Lenaia]]
* [[Dionysia]]
* [[Thargelia]]
* [[Arrephoria]]
* [[Kronia]]
* [[Aphrodisia]]
* [[Panathenaic Games|Panathanaia]]
* [[Heracleia (festival)|Herakleia]]
* [[Nemesis#Local cult|Genesia]]
* [[Pyanepsia]]
* [[Thesmophoria]]
* [[Chalceia|Khalkeia]]
* [[Dionysia#Rural Dionysia|Rural Dionysia]]
* [[Haloa]]
* [[Elaphebolia]]
* [[Dionysia#City Dionysia|City Dionysia]]
{{div col end}}

== Relationship to ancient Greek religion ==
{{further|Polytheistic reconstructionism}}
The majority of modern historians agree that the religion practiced by the ancient Greeks had been extinguished by the 9th century AD at the latest and that there is no evidence that it survived past the [[Middle Ages]]. (In certain isolated areas it survived until the 12th century; see [[Tsakonia]] and [[Maniots]].)<ref name=survival_greece>Gregory, T. (1986). "The Survival of Paganism in Christian Greece: A Critical Essay". ''The American Journal of Philology'', '''107'''(2), 229–242. {{doi|10.2307/294605}}</ref> Greek {{Lang|el-Latn|Dodecatheon}} member Panagiotis Marinis has claimed that the religion of ancient Greece survived throughout the intervening centuries, and some claim they were raised in families that practiced this religion.<ref>{{cite video|title=[[I Still Worship Zeus]]|year=2004|people=Jamil Said|publisher=Jamil Said Productions|medium=DVD}}</ref>

The revival of Hellenic religious identity is typically only part of a larger social movement of re-Hellenizing Greek identity in a comprehensive way, not only religious.<ref name="Thykier Makeeff 20192"/> This re-Hellenization movement is the current iteration of previous attempts to revive Hellenism. The first to promote such efforts<ref>James Henderson Burns, ''The Cambridge History of Medieval Political Thought c. 350 – c. 1450'', [[Cambridge University Press]], 1988.</ref> was the late [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] philosopher [[Gemistos Plethon|Georgios Gemistus Plethon]] in the 15th century. It was in [[Mystras]], in the [[Despotate of the Morea]], that Plethon formed a 'circle' of students.<ref>{{Citation |last=Siniossoglou |first=Niketas |title=Underground Platonism in Byzantium (Chapter 1) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=piWZkdSw1C8C |work=Radical Platonism in Byzantium |pages=49–92 |year=2011 |place=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |doi= |isbn=9781107013032 |access-date=2022-06-12}}</ref> It is through Plethon and his students that many ethnic Greeks today trace their teachings and practices and give credit for tradition's survival to the present day.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Hellenic ethnic religion: theology and practice|date=2018|others=Hellenic Council YSEE of America|isbn=978-0-692-08477-9|location=New York|oclc=1057123394}}</ref>

Two notable students of Plethon include the historian [[Laonikos Chalkokondyles]] and [[Bessarion]]. Bessarion, educated in neoplatonism, was considered for the [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[Pope|papacy]] twice. In a letter recounting the news of his teacher's death, Bessarion says that Plethon has left to "dance with the Olympian Gods" ({{lang|el|να χορέψει μαζί με τους Ολυμπίους Θεούς}})<ref name="George Gemistus Plethon 1858">{{Cite book|first=George Gemistus |last=Plethon |editor-first=C. |editor-last=Alexandre |translator-first=Augustin |translator-last=Pellissier|url=http://archive.org/details/plthontraitdesl00pellgoog|title=Traité des lois|date=1858|publisher=Firmin Didot frères, fils et cie|others=Harvard University|language=French}}</ref> and honors Plethon by claiming him to be the reincarnation of Plato based on the "teachings of the Pythagoreans and Plato about the endless ascent and descent of souls" ({{lang|grc|διδαχές των Πυθαγορείων και του Πλάτωνα περί ατέλειωτης ανόδου και καθόδου των ψυχών}}).<ref name="George Gemistus Plethon 1858"/>

In 1458, just a few years after the death of Plethon, [[Michael Tarchaniota Marullus]] was born near the site of ancient [[Sparta]] in the [[Despotate of the Morea]] or in [[Constantinople]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Classical love poetry|date=2004|publisher=J. Paul Getty Museum |first1=Jonathan |last1=Williams |first2=Clive |last2=Cheesman |isbn=0-89236-786-5|location=Los Angeles|oclc=55657407}}</ref> Both of Marullus's parents were Greek exiles who had fled from Constantinople when it [[Fall of Constantinople|fell to the Turks]] in 1453, and he always proudly called himself a [[Greek people|Greek]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/briefbiographica00inhole |title=A Brief Biographical Dictionary |last=Hole |first=Charles |publisher=Hurd and Houghton |year=1866 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/briefbiographica00inhole/page/271 271] }}</ref> Marullus was a poet and [[Stratioti|stratioti-soldier]]. Among his works, Marullus composed a collection of hymns, the ''Hymni naturales,'' in which he celebrates the [[Olympian pantheon]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Valeriano|first=Pierio|title=Pierio Valeriano on the ill fortune of learned men: a Renaissance humanist and his world|date=1999|publisher=University of Michigan Press|translator-first=Julia Haig |translator-last=Gaisser|isbn=0-472-11055-1|location=Ann Arbor|oclc=40948402}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Marullo, Michele Costantinopoli 1453–1500, hymni naturales, hymni naturales hymn. hymnorum naturalium libri (A. Perosa, 1951), section 2|url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:2011.01.0589|access-date=2021-07-16|website=perseus.tufts.edu}}</ref> [[Bartolomeo Scala]], his father-in-law, was a member of the [[Platonic Academy (Florence)|Platonic Academy]] in [[Florence]], Italy.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Korovilas|first=Stilian "Ariston"|date=21 August 2020|title=Michael Tarchaniota Marullus (1458–1500): Hymn to Hermes|url=https://hellenismos.org/2020/08/21/michael-tarchaniota-marullus-1458-1500-hymn-to-hermes/|access-date=2021-07-16|website=Hellenismos|language=de-DE}}</ref>

{{poemquote|So, my good king of the gods,
the gloomy fate, unfortunately, I could not escape,
to practice as a Hellene
the cult of my fathers
in a non-Hellenic language,
(Hymn to [[Hermes]])<ref>{{Cite web|last=Korovilas|first=Stilian «Ariston»|date=2020-08-21|title=Michael Tarchaniota Marullus (1458–1500): Hymn to Hermes|url=https://hellenismos.org/2020/08/21/michael-tarchaniota-marullus-1458-1500-hymn-to-hermes/|access-date=2021-07-16|website=Hellenismos|language=de-DE}}</ref>}}

Validating the relationship between Hellenic ethnic religion and the [[ancient Greek religion]] for 'continuity' is difficult as an outsider to the tradition, argued [[Vlassis Rassias|Vlassis G. Rassias]]:

{{blockquote|In the 19th century, many, especially German scholars, who were otherwise remarkable scholars, made the huge mistake of reconstructing a [[theology]] from the works of [[Homer]]os, who is only a poet. [[Hesiod]]os, on the other hand, who also engages in [[theogony]], can also be seen as theology. But his works are not set in stone either. We see that when we look at [[Gemistos Plethon|Georgios Gemistos-Plethon]], at the beginning of the 15th century who is the link between the ancients and us, and who demonstrates an underground continuation that has never been broken. In one of his invocations to [[Zeus]], Plethon presents him – to the surprise of all who see things statically – as the father of [[Poseidon]] and [[Cronus|Kronos]]. The German scholar of the 19th century or modern man, who doesn't even know what tradition means, begins at this point to muse and wonder over Plethon's words. In the end, many of them come to the crazy conclusion that Plethon must be assessed as a heretic.<ref>{{Citation|title=Tradition and ontology in Hellenismos (ENG SUB)| date=21 November 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgNFBOG31Tg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/hgNFBOG31Tg| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-07-16}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=YouTube being user-generated content is an [[WP:RS|unreliable source]]|date=August 2023}}}}

Though when Plethon's presentation of Zeus as the 'father' of Poseidon and Kronos is compared to the [[Derveni papyrus]] (discovered in 1962), Plethon appears less the heretic. The Derveni Papyrus recounts an Orphic cosmology, one in which the world of today is Zeus' creation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 November 2020|title=Ioanna Papadopoulou, An Introduction to the Derveni Papyrus|url=https://chs.harvard.edu/ioanna-papadopoulou-an-introduction-to-the-derveni-papyrus/|access-date=2021-07-17|website=The Center for Hellenic Studies|language=en-US}}</ref> The new order of the world arises from Zeus after he swallows the severed [[phallus]], the last act in a series of overthrowings of the ruling figure. In doing this, Zeus contained all things within himself and remade the world and regenerated all the Gods and Goddess once more, being King and 'father' to all things.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Betegh|first=Gábor|title=The Derveni Papyrus: Cosmology, Theology and Interpretation|url=https://ndpr.nd.edu/reviews/the-derveni-papyrus-cosmology-theology-and-interpretation/|access-date=2021-07-17|website=Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews|date=16 September 2006 |language=en}}</ref> This aligns with the writings of Plethon. In the Book of Laws, Zeus "existed from all eternity", "not born of any other&nbsp;... he is self-father [αὐτοπάτορα]&nbsp;... has no other father than himself&nbsp;... he is the father and the eldest creator [δημιουργὸν] of all things."<ref name="Opsopaus">{{Cite web|last=Opsopaus|first=John|date=12 June 2020|title=Plethon's Book of Laws|url=http://opsopaus.com/OM/BA/PBOL.html#a__CHAPTER_5__-_General_Principles_on_the_Gods|access-date=2021-07-17|website=opsopaus.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The other gods in the Greek pantheon are divided according "to divine nature [{{lang|grc|θεότητι}}] into the second and third orders, the first of which are the children of Zeus, his creations, and the second are the children of his children, the creations of his creations."<ref name="Opsopaus"/>

Emically speaking, "revival" accurately describes the religious activity occurring in Greece and around the world since one of the main hallmarks is group gatherings and public festival celebrations. Etic observations from a distance by classical scholars, describe contemporary practices as inauthentic and therefore irrelevant or remain open on the issue. British classicist [[Mary Beard (classicist)|Mary Beard]] criticized Greek Hellenist worshippers, saying, "until these eager neo-pagans get real and [[Animal sacrifice|slaughter a bull or two]] in central Athens, I shan't worry that they have much to do with ancient religion at all", later commented that, "I think I was really responding to the claims made by this group that they were reviving ancient paganism. I am absolutely ok with the idea that religions change. I was reacting to their claims to be a modern version of ancient 'paganism'."<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://wildhunt.org/2007/01/pagan-news-of-note_29.html|title = (Pagan) News of Note – Paganism|work = The Wild Hunt|date = 29 January 2007|access-date = 3 December 2021|archive-date = 3 December 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211203013754/https://wildhunt.org/2007/01/pagan-news-of-note_29.html|url-status = dead}}</ref> American classicist, [[Sarah Iles Johnston]] affirmed contemporary practice. "The bricolage and re-imaginings of contemporary Pagans is not entirely different from that of ancient Greek religious culture and that even classical scholars inevitably re-imagine the gods."<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Johnston|first=Sarah|title=Whose Gods are These? A Classicist Looks at Neopaganism|url=https://www.academia.edu/3667375|website=Academia.edu}}</ref> Revivalists view the tradition as a living, changing religion. Hellenic Revivalism allows room for practitioners to decide what feels right to them, and to adapt historical religious practices to modern life.

Hellenists and other self described pagans/polytheists typically engage in [[Polytheistic Reconstructionism|reconstructionism]], a methodology that attempts to accurately base modern religious practice on the imitation of culturally and historically genuine examples of ancient religious practices. The term is frequently used in the United States to differentiate between [[syncretism|syncretic]] and [[eclecticism|eclectic]] [[Neopaganism|Neopagan]] movements, and those based on the traditions, writings, history, and [[mythology]] of a specific ancient polytheistic culture. The [[Supreme Council of Ethnic Hellenes]] have made a clear distinction between themselves and the Neopagan movements, and identify some 'Hellenic' groups as "simply disguised as 'Hellenes' for reasons that exist hidden within the depths of their own minds."<ref>{{cite web|title=Wojciech Jan Rudny interviews a constitutional member of the Supreme Council of the Ethnikoi Hellenes (YSEE) on behalf of the polish 'GNIAZDO' magazine|url=http://www.ysee.gr/index-eng.php?type=english&f=rozmowa_en|access-date=26 September 2010|work=YSEE}}</ref>

== History ==

===18th century===
During the 18th century, several people adopted Ancient Greek religion to some extent, studying and translating ancient works of theology and philosophy, and in some cases composing original hymns and devotionals to the [[List of Greek deities|Ancient Greek pantheon]]. The English author [[John Fransham]] (1730–1810) was one example, considered an eccentric by his peers, who was also referred to as a pagan and a polytheist. In Fransham's 1769 book ''The Oestrum of Orpheus'', he advanced a theology similar to that of the [[Neoplatonism|Neoplatonists]]: that the first cause of existence is uncreated and indestructible, but not intelligent, and that the universe is shaped by "innumerable intelligent powers or forces, 'plastic and designing', who ruled all sublunary affairs, and may most fitly be designated by the nomenclature of the Hellenic theology."<ref name="survival" /> Despite his apparent belief in the Hellenic gods, Fransham does not seem to have been particularly devoted to their worship. According to an 1875 profile in ''[[Fraser's Magazine]]'', Fransham's "[[libation]]s to the [[Penates]] found their way [[Drinking|down his own throat]], and when he sacrificed a fowl to [[Asclepius|'Esculapius]] it was usually in the form of chicken-[[broth]] for his supper."<ref name="survival" />

Another example of an 18th-century figure who may have considered himself a Hellenist was [[Thomas Taylor (neoplatonist)|Thomas Taylor]] (1758–1835), who produced the first English translations of many neoplatonic philosophical and religious texts. Taylor was widely known as the "English Platonist", and rumors existed that he had produced anonymous pamphlets advocating a return to a sort of pagan religion (these rumors have been debunked by modern scholars<ref>Addey, Tim. [http://www.prometheustrust.co.uk/Why_Thomas_Taylor_is_not_the_author_of_A_New_System_of_Religion.pdf "Why Thomas Taylor is not the author of ''A New System of Religion''"]. Prometheus Trust.</ref>). Though the extent of his actual devotion to Ancient Greek spirituality remains unknown, brief descriptions written by others about him tend to portray him as a sincerely devout polytheist.<ref name="survival" /> One such sketch, written by [[Isaac D'Israeli]], describes Taylor delaying answering his door until he has finished his mid-day hymn to [[Apollo]], and reports that his study contained a hanging globe of clear glass, representing [[Zeus]], that scattered sunbeams he would use to read and write, shifting his position in the room to follow them throughout the day.<ref name="survival" />

His work inspired a limited number of devotees.<ref name="survival">"The Survival of Paganism". ''Fraser's Magazine'', New Series vol. XII. July–December 1875. London: Longmans, Green, and Co.</ref> The most notable was Godefroi Izarn, the Marquis de Valadi, a young member of a wealthy French family who adopted a "[[Pythagoreanism|Pythagorean]] mode of life". In 1788, Valadi traveled to [[England]] in order to convince an unnamed "gentleman of eminence in the literary world" to become the head of a new Pythagorean sect, assuring him that Valadi would help him find numerous followers.<ref name="valadi">"Modern Platonism". ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=iXhIAAAAYAAJ&dq The Annual Register, Or, A View of the History, Politics, and Literature for the Year 1797]''. London: 1800, pp. 438–439.</ref> He refused, and suggested Valadi learn Greek and become the head of the sect himself. Valadi began his studies at [[Glasgow]], where he learned of Taylor, to whom he wrote in a letter:

{{blockquote|My determination was to go and live in North America, and there to keep a school of temperance and love, in order to preserve so many men from the prevailing vices of brutal intemperance and selfish cupidity ... There I would devoutly erect altars to my favourite Gods: [[Castor and Pollux|Dioscuri]], [[Hector]], [[Aristomenes]], [[Pan (god)|Pan]], [[Orpheus]], [[Epaminondas]], [[Pythagoras]], [[Pluto (mythology)|Pluto]], [[Timoleon]], [[Marcus Brutus]] and his [[Porcia (wife of Brutus)|Portia]], and above all, [[Helios|Phoebus]], the God of my hero [[Julian (emperor)|Julian]] ...<ref name=survival/>}}

Valadi paid Taylor to live in his house and study under him, but his tenure as Taylor's disciple was short lived. He returned to France to fight in the [[French Revolution]] in 1789 and he reportedly said, "I came over [[Diogenes]]. I am going back [[Alexander the Great|Alexander]]". He was executed by [[guillotine]] in December 1793 during the [[Reign of Terror]].<ref name="valadi" />

===19th century===
The literary and artistic movement known as [[Romanticism]] promoted notions of the masterless personal soul, a heightened regard for nature and an interest in supernatural themes, including both magic and Pagan, especially Classical Greek, religion. Many proponents of Romanticism wrote poems inspired by figures of Greek mythology. One example of this is found in the poem "[[The World Is Too Much with Us]]" written {{circa|1802}} by [[William Wordsworth]] and first published in 1807 in his poetry collection ''[[Poems, in Two Volumes]]''. In it, Wordsworth criticises the world of the early 19th century as materialistic and as removing itself from nature. Towards the end of the poem, Wordsworth wishes he was a pagan who believes in the Greek gods instead of a Christian even though he considers paganism outdated because he thinks that life would have more meaning that way. As Wordsworth himself put it:

{{poemquote|Great God! I'd rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of [[Proteus]] rising from the sea;
Or hear old [[Triton (mythology)|Triton]] blow his wreathèd horn.|[[William Wordsworth]], "[[The World Is Too Much with Us]]", lines 9–14}}

Another example is seen in the private letters that the poet [[Percy Bysshe Shelley]] and his friend [[Thomas Jefferson Hogg]] wrote to each other. In one letter written in 1821, Shelley wrote to Hogg:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xc_QAAAAMAAJ&q=I+am+glad+that+you+do+not+neglect+the+rites+of+the+true+religion.+Your+letter+awoke+my+sleeping+devotions,+and+the+same+evening+I+ascended+alone+the+high+mountain+behind+my+house,+and+suspended+a+garland,+and+raised+a+small+turf+altar+to+the+mountain-walking+Pan. | title=Letters: Shelley in Italy | last1=Shelley | first1=Percy Bysshe | year=1964 }}</ref>

{{blockquote|I am glad that you do not neglect the rites of the true religion. Your letter awoke my sleeping devotions, and the same evening I ascended alone the high mountain behind my house, and suspended a [[garland]], and raised a small turf altar to the mountain-walking [[Pan (god)|Pan]].}}

===20th century===
In the early 20th century, several [[Neopaganism|neopagan]] groups were formed, often incorporating elements of ancient Greek religion and honoring Greek gods, but with heavily syncretic elements drawn from Hermeticism and 19th century folklore studies. Most prominent of these modern traditions are [[Thelema]] and [[Wicca]], though [[Feraferia]] (an American tradition founded in the 1970s by Fred Adams) places heavier emphasis on a more Hellenistic style of worship and on the Greco-Roman pantheon of gods.<ref>{{Cite web|title=feraferia home|url=http://feraferia.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46:feraferia-home&Itemid=1|access-date=2021-05-08|website=feraferia.org|language=en-gb}}</ref> One Wiccan organization in the United States, the [[Aquarian Tabernacle Church]], began to host a spring festival based on the [[Eleusinian Mysteries]] in 1985, which has continued to be held every year through the present day.<ref>[https://wildhunt.org/2019/03/aquarian-tabernacle-church-names-new-arch-priest.html "Aquarian Tabernacle Church names new Arch Priest"].</ref>

While not exactly a Hellenist, the sociologist and practicing Wiccan [[Margot Adler]] stated in her book on Wicca titled ''[[Drawing Down the Moon (book)|Drawing Down the Moon]]'' that when she was a child, she had a great interest in the Greek gods and goddesses and that she also devised her own rituals to perform in dedication to them. Many years later when Adler found out about Wicca, she converted to that religion because she felt that it confirmed her earlier childhood experiences, though Adler also notes that with regards to her conversion "I never converted in the accepted sense. I simply accepted, reaffirmed, and extended a very old experience."<ref>{{cite book |last=Adler |first=Margot |year=2006|orig-year=1979 |title=Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers and Other Pagans in America |edition=Revised |publisher=Penguin |location=London |isbn=978-0-14-303819-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/drawingdownmoonw00adle_2 |pages = 15–19}}</ref>

During the 1970s, some began to reject the influence of Hermeticism and other heavily syncretic forms of Greek religion in preference of practices reconstructing earlier or more original forms of Hellenic worship. Early revivalists of Hellenic religion tended to be individuals working alone, and early attempts to organize adherents into larger groups failed. The first successful revival attempt was made by the [[Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes]] (or YSEE). In 1993, a variety of adherents to the Hellenic religion in Greece and elsewhere came together and began the process of organization. This resulted in a "Hellenic National Assembly", initiated at a gathering in southern Olympus on 9 September 1995. The process culminated with the formal establishment of the [[Supreme Council of Ethnic Hellenes|YSEE]] as a non-profit in Greece, in June 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ysee.gr/about.html |title=Who We Are and What We Want |publisher=Ysee.gr |access-date=2019-03-28}}</ref>

===21st century and official recognition===
====2004 Olympics controversy====

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{{which|date=June 2016}} around the [[Parthenon]] and [[Acropolis]] in preparation for the games.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/jul/15/internationaleducationnews.artsnews|title=Drills and axes ravage ancient Greek site|first=Helena|last=Smith|date=15 July 2002|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=7 May 2015}}</ref>
* 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.<ref>[http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/heliodromion/e_nea1.htm Extrajudicial protest – denunciation – statement of Greek Citizens, concerning the 2004 Olympics' "mascot" choice] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061218003151/http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/heliodromion/e_nea1.htm|date=18 December 2006}}</ref> In a BBC Radio interview on 26 June 2004, Dr. Pan. Marinis President of the {{lang|la|Societas Hellenica Antiquariorum}} said that the mascots "mock the spiritual values of the Hellenic civilization by degrading these same holy personalities that were revered during the ancient Olympic Games. For these reasons we have proceeded to legal action demanding the punishment of those responsible."

====Recognition and places of worship====

In May 2006 an Athens court granted official recognition to the veneration of the Ancient Greek pantheon. Soon afterwards, on 22 January 2007, the Hellenist group [[Ellinais]] held a ceremony at the [[Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens|Temple of Olympian Zeus]] in Athens. It was the first such rite performed at the temple since the ancient Greek religion was outlawed by the Roman government in the late 4th century.<ref>Associated Press, "Zeus Worshippers Demand Access to Temple". ''The New York Times'', 19 January 2007</ref> The ceremony involved participants dressed as ancient warriors who left their swords and spears outside the sacred site, to represent the laying down of arms before the Olympic games. The [[BBC]] referred to the event as a show of "intentional publicity". The event caught the attention of the Greek Orthodox Church. Reporters at the event suggested the church might step up their opposition to the legitimizing of Hellenism. Father Eustathios Kollas, who presided over a community of Greek Orthodox priests, said: "They are a handful of miserable resuscitators of a degenerate dead religion who wish to return to the monstrous dark delusions of the past."<ref name="Ancient Greek gods' new believers">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6285397.stm "Ancient Greek gods' new believers"]. ''BBC News''. Retrieved 10 February 2007.</ref> Despite the 2006 court ruling, the Greek [[Ministry of Culture and Sports (Greece)|Ministry of Culture and Sports]] continued to disallow ceremonies of any kind at archaeological sites, and some early 21st century Hellenic rituals therefore took the form of protests. In August 2008, a group of adherents, again organized by Ellinais, gathered at the [[Acropolis]] both to give libations and other offerings to the goddess [[Athena]], and to protest the removal of architectural pieces from the temples to a new museum at the site.<ref>Carassava, A., [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/01/arts/design/01arts-PROTESTERSBE_BRF.html "Protesters Beseech the Gods at the Acropolis"]. ''The New York Times'', 31 August 2008</ref>

[[File:Temple of the Hellenic Gods in Oraiokastro, Thessaloniki, Greece.png|thumb|The Temple of the Hellenic Gods in [[Oraiokastro]], [[Thessaloniki]]]]

The first modern Hellenic temple dedicated to the [[Twelve Olympians|Hellenic gods]] was started in 1994 just outside [[Thessaloniki]] in the village of [[Oraiokastro]] and completed in 2009. 

Another temple, dedicated to [[Alexander the Great|Alexander]] and [[Dionysus]] opened in the nearby village of [[Mesaio]] in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/el/article/sth-8essalonikh-yparxoyn-dyo-naoi-afierwmenoi-stoys-arxaioellhnikoys-8eoys/|script-title=el:Στη Θεσσαλονίκη Υπάρχουν Δύο Ναοί Αφιερωμένοι στους Αρχαιοελληνικούς Θεούς |website=Vice |date=21 March 2019 |access-date=2020-02-18|language=el}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://prometheia.wordpress.com/2009/01/09/naos/|title=The first modern Hellenic Temple! In Thessaloniki, Makedonia!|date=9 January 2009|website=Prometheia 2019|language=en|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsbeast.gr/weekend/arthro/2008926/mithi-ke-alithies-gia-tin-elliniki-omada-e|script-title=el:Μύθοι και αλήθειες για την ελληνική Ομάδα Ε|date=31 October 2015|website=Newsbeast.gr|language=el|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref>

A third temple, and the first in the [[Peloponnese]], dedicated to [[Zeus]], [[Dionysus]] and [[Pan (god)|Pan]], opened in the village of [[Kalliani]], Arcadia in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kokkinidis |first=Tasos |date=2025-03-10 |title=First Ancient Greek Temple in 1,700 Years Opens in Arcadia |url=https://greekreporter.com/2025/03/10/first-ancient-greek-temple-after-1700-years-opens-arcadia/? |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=GreekReporter.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

A modern Hellenic temple in [[Athens]] is still in the planning stages,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://theoutline.com/post/2843/hellenism-legalized-greece?zd=1&zi=owk674p2 | title=Greece's old gods are ready for your sacrifice }}</ref> and worshippers meet at a temporary temple at the headquarters of the [[Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes]] (YSEE) at an apartment building on Aristotelous street in [[Central Athens (regional unit)|central Athens]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ysee.gr/|title=Ύπατο Συμβούλιο των Ελλήνων Εθνικών|website=ysee.gr|access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://theoutline.com/post/2843/hellenism-legalized-greece?zd=1&zi=owk674p2 | title=Greece's old gods are ready for your sacrifice }}</ref>

==Organizations in Greece and demographics==

[[File:Hellen ritual (2).jpg|thumb|Ritual performed by members of the [[Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes]]]]

[[File:YSEE Hellenic priest (reading).png|thumb|left|Hellenic priest performing ritual]]

The first Greek organization to openly support the religious revival of Hellenic religion was {{lang|grc|Ύπατο Συμβούλιο των Ελλήνων Εθνικών}} ([[Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes]] or YSEE), established in 1997,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ysee.gr/index-eng.php |title=Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes |publisher=Ysee.gr |access-date=2014-06-10}}</ref> and is publicly active. YSEE is a founding member of the [[World Congress of Ethnic Religions]] (now [[European Congress of Ethnic Religions]]) and hosted the seventh annual WCER Congress in June 2004.<ref>[http://www.ysee.gr/ YSEE website].</ref> With branches also in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany, their level of real world public activity, and actual membership levels, the [[Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes]] can be argued to be the defining lead organization for the public revival movement. YSEE is also a member of the [[European Union]]'s action program to combat discrimination. The organization primarily refers to the religion as the "Ethnic Polytheistic" or "genuine Hellenism"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ysee.gr/index-eng.php?type=english&f=organosi |title=The organizational and operating structure of the YSEE |publisher=Ysee.gr |access-date=2014-06-10}}</ref> and its practitioners as ''Ethnikoi Hellenes'', "Ethnic [National] Hellenes". YSEE uses the terms "traditional", "ethnic", and "genuine" to refer to their religious practices. Hellenic polytheist author [[Vlassis G. Rassias]] has written a popular series of books on "Christian persecutions against the Hellenes", while the Athens-based group ''[[Ellinais]]'' emphasizes "world peace and the brotherhood of man".<ref>{{cite news | last =Ayiomamitis| first =Paris| title =Modern Pagans Honor Zeus in Athens| agency =Associated Press|date=21 January 2007 | url =https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2811383&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312| access-date =1 February 2007 }}</ref>

Another active organization based in Greece, the {{Lang|el-Latn|Labrys}} ({{Lang|el|Λαβρύς}}, {{IPA|el|lavˈris|}}) religious community was founded in 2008. Labrys has focused primarily on the religious aspects of Hellenism or Hellenic polytheism, avoiding anti-Christian rhetoric and politics, establishing weekly public rituals<ref>{{cite web |url=http://labrys.gr/index.php?l=ilioditi |title=Heliodete weekly ritual |publisher=Labrys.gr |access-date=2014-06-10 |archive-date=4 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704235231/http://www.labrys.gr/index.php?l=ilioditi |url-status=dead }}</ref> and engaging in other aspects of practical promotion of polytheism like theater and music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dionysia.labrys.gr/index2014.php |title=Attica Dionysia festival 2014 |publisher=Dionysia.labrys.gr |access-date=2015-04-18}}</ref> Labrys has also promoted among Hellenes worldwide the need to actively practice household worship and the idea that family and community should be the starting points of religious practice.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://labrys.gr/index-en.php?l=oikiaki_latreia-en |title=Hellenic Household Worship |publisher=Labrys.gr |access-date=2014-06-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017184000/http://labrys.gr/index-en.php?l=oikiaki_latreia-en |archive-date=2013-10-17 }}</ref> The community has been organizing since 2008 the largest festival in Athens and also actively participates and supports the religious aspects of the oldest Hellenic festival in Greece, Prometheia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://prometheia.wordpress.com/ |title=Prometheia |publisher=Prometheia.wordpress.com |access-date=2014-06-10}}</ref>{{user-generated inline|date=August 2023}} which is held every year on Mount Olympus. The Labrys religious community has published a book.<ref>{{cite book |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Hellenic Polytheism: Household Worship |publisher=Createspace |date=20 November 2014 |isbn=9781503121881 }}</ref>

== Other organizations ==
Founded in the United States in 2001, Hellenion identifies its practices as "Hellenic Pagan [[Polytheistic reconstructionism|Reconstructionism]]" and emphasizes historical accuracy in its mission statement. Hellenion does not provide official membership numbers to the public, but an unofficial estimate of 43 members was made for 2007 and approximately 100 members for 2017. though this number can only give the roughest approximation, as Hellenion offers hardship waivers to those who cannot afford the typical membership fees. In early 2010, the organization reported 1 demos (fully chartered local congregation) and 6 proto-demoi (start-up congregations not fully chartered with less than 3 members) established, which offer rituals and other events for members and frequently for the public as well. Two of the six proto-demoi cannot be independently verified to exist. Hellenion offers legal clergy training, basic adult religious education classes, and other educational/training courses for its members.

Another American group, Elaion, was founded in 2005 after members of other groups grew dissatisfied with what was, in their view, a de-emphasis on Hellenic ethics, philosophy, poetry, and art, and a re-emergence of "occult" doctrines among some practitioners. Elaion aimed to create an organization that emphasized ethics, piety, and "right-living", which they initially termed "Traditionalist Hellenismos". No reported numbers for current membership levels are known to exist. Among the various modern Stoic philosophical groups, [[Stoic physics#God|many equate Zeus with Divine Providence, or Divine Logos]]. Among the modern Epicurean philosophical groups, Society of Epicurus accepts the ancient, naturalistic, polytheistic view of the Epicurean gods as one of three legitimate modern interpretations of [[Epicureanism#Gods|Epicurean theology]].

In [[Brazil]], there are some religious groups, in different states. In addition, in Portuguese language, there is the website of RHB – Reconstrucionismo Helênico no Brasil, built since 2003 by Brazilian members of Hellenion and other international groups, such as the American Neokoroi and the Greek Thyrsos.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reconstrucionismo Helênico {{!}} Helenos BR |url=https://www.helenos.com.br/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=www.helenos.com.br}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Ancient Greece|Religion}}

; Hellenism

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Athenian calendar]]
* [[Dionysian Mysteries]]
* [[Ellinais]]
* [[Epicureanism]]
* [[Family tree of the Greek gods]]
* [[Gemistus Pletho]]
* [[Greco-Roman mysteries]]
* [[Greek deities]]
* [[Greek hero cult]]
* [[Greek mythology in popular culture]]
* [[Hellenistic philosophy]]
* [[Hellenistic religion]]
* ''[[Homeric Hymns]]''
* ''[[Interpretatio graeca]]''
* ''[[I Still Worship Zeus]]''
* [[List of Ancient Greek temples]]
* [[Orphism (religion)]]
* [[Persecution of pagans in the late Roman Empire]]
* [[Platonism]]
* [[Pyrrhonism]]
* [[Pythagoreanism]]
* [[Religion in Greece|Religion in Modern Greece]]
* [[Stoicism]]
* [[Supreme Council of Ethnic Hellenes]]
* [[Twelve Olympians]]
{{div col end}}

; Related systems and religions

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[European Congress of Ethnic Religions]]
* [[Feraferia]]
* [[Gaianism]]
* [[Greco-Buddhism]]
* [[Hermeticism]]
* [[Indo-Greek religions]]
* [[Kemetism]]
* [[List of modern pagan temples]]
* ''[[Milinda Pañha]]''
* [[Modern paganism]]
* ''[[Mos maiorum]]''
* [[Old Norse religion]]
* [[Polytheistic reconstructionism]]
* [[Reconstructionist Roman religion]]
* [[Religion in ancient Rome]]
* [[Roman imperial cult]]
* [[Wicca]]
{{div col end}}

== References ==
'''Notes'''
{{notelist}}

'''Citations'''
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book | last=Addey | first=Tim | title=The Seven Myths of the Soul | publisher=Prometheus Trust |year=2000 | isbn=978-1-898910-37-4}}
* {{Cite book | last=Addey | first=Tim | title=The Unfolding Wings: The Way of Perfection in the Platonic Tradition | publisher=Prometheus Trust | year=2003 | isbn=978-1-898910-41-1}}
* {{Cite book | last=Mikalson | first=Jon D | title=Ancient Greek Religion (Blackwell Ancient Religions) | publisher=Wiley-Blackwell | year=2004 | isbn=978-0-631-23223-0}}
* {{Cite book | last=Stone | first=Tom | title=Zeus: A Journey Through Greece in the Footsteps of a God | publisher=Bloomsbury USA | year=2008 | isbn=978-1-58234-518-5 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/zeusjourneythrou00ston }}
* {{cite book |last=Thykier Makeeff |first=Tao |year=2019 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_7-pEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA89 |chapter=Classical Reception in a New Key: Contemporary Hellenic Polytheism in Modern Greece |editor1-last=Mariegaard |editor1-first=Nicolai |editor2-last=Winther Jacobsen |editor2-first=Kristina |title=Proceedings of the Danish Institute at Athens |volume=9 |location=Aarhus |publisher=Aarhus University Press |pages=89–102 |isbn=978-87-7219-782-1 }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category inline}}

{{Paganism}}
{{Greek religion}}
{{Greek myth (Olympian)}}
{{Neopaganism}}
{{Ancient Greece topics}}
{{Religion in Greece}}
{{Religion topics}}

[[Category:1990s establishments in Greece]]
[[Category:Modern paganism in Greece]]
[[Category:Polytheism]]