Greek Pagans honor Zeus with a ceremony?

Greek monument - pagans gathered to perform a ceremony for the god Zeus.
@Willowlady (10658)
United States
January 27, 2007 4:47pm CST
My local paper carried this article which stated that a clutch of modern pagans honored Zeus at a 1800 year old temple in the heart of Athens. The first known ceremony of its kind held there since the ancient Greek religion was outlawed by the Roman empire in the late 4th century. It was watched by onlookers as about 20 worshippers gathered for a celebrations organized Ellinais, a year old Athens base group that is campaigning to revive old religious practices from the era when Greece was a fount of education and philosophy. That group ignored a ban by the Culture Ministry which declared the site off limits to any kind of organized activity to protect the monument. The participants did not try to enter and no officials tried to stop the ceremony. They were dressed in ancient costumes and recited hymns in hopes to bring peace to the world. Seems like they were peaceful and that the religion is not dead! Your thoughts!?
6 people like this
22 responses
@oceangirl (170)
• United States
28 Jan 07
I'm very happy to see that the Greek laws are being relaxed enough to allow those who wish to honor the Old Ways to do so openly! There are people who practice not just the Greek Old Ways, but also the Celtic ways, the Norse ways, and even the Egyptian ways. Though I am not a particular adherent per se, I am more familiar with the Norse ways. It's called Asatru, and it and always has been practiced as first a majority (the only!) and then, after Christianity's take-over, a minority religion in the Nordic countries. Where I live, I know there are members of Celtic as well as Greek practices. There is also at least one Asatru group here.
2 people like this
@Astarte (812)
• Italy
28 Jan 07
I follow the Forn Sidhr too, I found this Tradition 4 years ago :) Where are you from? Here in Italy we are a few.. there is only a group but I don't like them, they do politic.
2 people like this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
28 Jan 07
The tolerance for the practices of religion in all its forms is to be encouraged! The Old Ones have been represented in this ceremony. Glad that you shared that groups of the old ways are about you where you live! So nice ot hear from both of you! Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@AskAlly (3625)
• Canada
28 Jan 07
That's an interesting article. It would have been like traveling back in time to watch a ceremony like that. Sorry I missed it. As far as religion, I make it a point not to get involved in those discussions.
2 people like this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
28 Jan 07
Thanks for responding, Have found overall religion an ok topic at this site! It sure would have been cool to see this play out!
1 person likes this
@Brooke3 (610)
28 Jan 07
I think that's great! i'm a pagan and although I don't worship Greek gods it's nice to see that the religion is alive and that they are able to gather in this peaceful way.
2 people like this
@msqtech (15074)
• United States
4 Feb 07
It would seem that in the troubled times we live in more people than ever are looking for answers to their problems in faith and religion. The answer I think would be in the morality of man. This we must hold to high esteem and work to make it the reality of life. Extreme answers need to be dealt with extremely so the terrorists need to be confronted early when it is just rhetoric and we need to have inclusion and acceptance of our fellow man.
1 person likes this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
4 Feb 07
Thanks so much for this. Daughter and I appreciate your thoughts. We seem to have an accord! Thanks for responding to this discussion.
• United States
28 Jan 07
Fantastic. There is room for all religions. And it was to bring peace to the world. That sounds great.
1 person likes this
@msqtech (15074)
• United States
4 Feb 07
faith is needed to get through life
@FrancyDafne (2047)
• Italy
23 Mar 07
As I think that my own roots are Greek-roman ones and not Judaic-Christian ones, I can be only happy that these things can happen again. They don't seem to be peaceful, they are peaceful, our world is full of religious hate, wars and destruction, we should learn again from our ancestors: polytheism allows people to follow the religious path they prefer. As we consider Athens our mother, we should come back to her not only reading and learning from her ancient culture, but with rites too.
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
23 Mar 07
Personally not one for ritual however I am glad they could meet in public peaceably. Thanks for responding.
@rainbow (6761)
28 Jan 07
How wonderful! It's good to see the old ways remembered, especially so peacefully. It must have been an education forthe people watching and it does no harm so why not, I wish them well.
1 person likes this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
28 Jan 07
My thoughts exactly my friend. If we had come across this while out and about it would have been a great conversation starter for my children and I. Also hubby and I could have a great conversation over this!! Thanks for responding.
• United States
19 Mar 07
Sounds kind of different and intersting. Never heard of such a thing or seen anything like that. I don't think I would have gone, as it gives me the creeps. I may be closed mined, but pagans honoring Zeus is not for me to be around.
1 person likes this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
28 Jan 07
I think it is wonderful that those people are wanting to bring back a religion and bring them hope and peace. I see nothing wrong with wanting to learn more on historical religions. But I guess I can say that because I am also Pagan. :) The fact that there were onlookers means that other people are interested in learning too. Knowledge is the "K" in magick! :)
1 person likes this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
28 Jan 07
Never thought of the K thing, that is so appropriate. The onlookers would have been neat to interview to get their views if they had been willing. Nice to know of this and you are a very cool friend!! Thanks for responding to this discussion!!
@avonrep1 (1862)
• United States
20 Mar 07
I think it is great being that I believe more in ancient way anyways than current belief systems. I wish I could have been there, but that okay I was there in spirit. ;)
1 person likes this
@wiseacre (221)
• India
28 Jan 07
well you ahve posted a good topic, but as far as religion is cncerned such posts are not supposed to be posted.
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
28 Jan 07
Go find me where they say No Religion discussions. I looked when you brought this up and it was not mentioned anywhere I could see. Also it is discussing and downtrodding anyone or anything. Thanks for responding though!
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
28 Jan 07
Meant Not downtrodding.!!
28 Jan 07
Sounds like fun! They provided us with a base for all future knowledge, invented paper [papyrus] writing implements and good ness knows what else. The era of the ancient greeks in trigues me. If they are harming no one, why shouldn't they be allowed to practice an ancient tradition.
1 person likes this
@dhouston (417)
• United States
28 Jan 07
As a Christian, I'm sad that people probably raised Orthodox have rejected Christianity, but I am not surprised. They may see paganism and the myths tied closely to Greece's greatest times. They may want to reconnect with their most ancient roots. It is probably for the best that the government honor the human right of freed om of religion. The fact that the tales related to their religion inform a great deal of Western cultural tradition makes it easy to understand how the descendents of the original Greek pagans would have a good grasp of what the religion entailed and want to see it active in our time.
1 person likes this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
28 Jan 07
In this day and age I am thinking that religion in almost any form would be something to encourage. Our old ways had a reason and are worth comparing and studying for truth!! Thanks for responding!
• Canada
28 Jan 07
I am amazed that even in this world, where we have reached the peak of the technological age, there are still pagans that exist. The funny thing is that pagans are honoring Zeus, who we know is a Mythological being. It is all myth so they all believe in conjecture.
1 person likes this
@jricbt (1454)
• Brazil
28 Jan 07
They are wrong, all true believers now that only the Flying Spaghetti Monster is the real creator, only god, and Pastafarianism the true religion. Now, talking a little more seriously. It is a better religion than Christianity, for example (and as mythological as that). Zeus, Aphrodite (ah, Aphrodite this is a goddess worth believing).
@suny1946 (275)
• China
28 Jan 07
yes
@nw1911guy (1131)
• United States
28 Jan 07
While I myself may not elect to do it, I think it's a wonderful thing nonetheless.
@serjjjiu (13)
• Romania
28 Jan 07
...
@bethmt (419)
• United States
20 Mar 07
How wonderful this would have been to watch. I'm not very familiar with ancient Greek religion but am always interested to learn about other people's beliefs. I practice a christo-pagan blend and my pagan practices are primarily Celtic in nature. The area where I live is rather suspicious of pagan beliefs and practices which is a great shame. I think there is so much to learn as far as eachother's spriritual beliefs which could eventually draw us all closer; if only some people could be more open-minded.
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
21 Mar 07
I agree, live and let live, side by side. We can but hope. Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
• Argentina
2 Apr 07
Its wonderful to see religious people supporting culture, philosophy education and peace when the "major religions" such as islam, judaism and christianity breed war and hate. I truly believe that paganism is the religion of the future.