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The following pages and links  contain information covering  a wide range of topics concerning the Hellenic polytheistic religion known as Hellenismos or Olympianism, the ancient Greek religion.  Unless otherwise noted,  all of the essays were written by Jim Van Kollenburg (aka Jim Kollens or Kallimakhos) who is responsible for any errors. That which is correct is purely a reflection of what I have learned from contemporary teachers living in Greece and a vast library of the ancient world.  If you find the dissertations helpful, please do re-visit them as each page tends to expand and perfect itself.

Be aware of the links at the bottom of each page.  For instance, the link entitled LOGOS will direct you to texts from our ancient heritage as well as other things related to words.

To learn more about the aim of this website and to have many fundamental questions answered, visit the Project Statement which includes a comprehensive Hellenismos FAQ: 

FAQ OF HELLENISMOS 

What is the definition of this very important word? :

HELLENISMOS - ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΣ

Links to many pages concerning the Thæi (Theoi), Heroes, and Philosophers of Hellenismos:   

GODS, HEROES, AND PHILOSOPHERS 

This website and our communities are directly oriented to the teachings of Orpheus and his successors.  This following  links to all the pages of this website specifically related to Orpheus and Orphic teaching:

ORPHEUS AND ORPHISM

What is the meaning of worship in the Hellenic polytheistic tradition?

WORSHIP AND RITUAL IN HELLENISMOS

The path of Hellenismos is the journey which develops what is called aræti or excellence.  The specific aræti we are talking about here is the aræti of the progress of the soul through transcendent action.  This requires tremendous commitment and personal sacrifice.  When the priorities of life become critical, the progressed soul may need to put commitment into action which is heroic.  What can this mean?

HEROIC SELF-SACRIFICE - ΗΡΩΙΚΉ ΑΥΤΟΘΥΣΊΑ

In this illustrated dictionary/encyclopedia, you will find many of the terms that you encounter in your study of Hellenic religion, history, and culture:

ILLUSTRATED GLOSSARY OF HELLENIC POLYTHEISM

ANCIENT TEXTS AND CONTEMPORARY TEXTS that aid in the study and practice of Hellenismos:

ESSENTIAL ANCIENT TEXTS

LOGOS

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS OF KONSTANTINA RITSOU tell the stories of great heroes, true Hellenic souls...William Wallace, Andrew De Moray, the De Witt brothers...who made tremendous sacrifice for Freedom and, thereby, attained great aræti (arete; Gr. ἀρετή), genuine virtue, which shines forth as a mighty beacon for future generations.  On this page you can hear music, watch videos, and download sheet-music of poetry written by Mrs. Ritsou for The Boy and the Well of Memory, a story of Scottish bravery.  There is also contact information to purchase this book and The Lion Souls, the story of the Dutch Renaissance and its demise:

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS AND SONGS OF KONSTANTINA RITSOU

ADDITIONAL LINKS to important essays and pages which do not easily fit into the above categories can be found here:

MISCELLANEOUS ESSAYS AND LINKS Concerning the Hellenic Path

COMMUNITY: 

Illinois (USA) - The author of this website is located near Chicago, Illinois, near Cook County, in DuPage County (Lombard).  There are also people in some other cities.  Please contact Kallimakhos: Inquire.hellenicgods@gmail.com

Alaska (USA) - Please contact daphne.kyrene@gmail.com if you live near Anchorage where resides a long-time student of the same teachers as the owner of this website.

Internationally we have contact with people from around the world who show an interest in what we are doing, with varying degrees of commitment.

PLEASE NOTE:  Throughout the pages of this website, you will find fascinating stories about our Gods.  These narratives are known as mythology, the traditional stories of the Gods and Heroes.  While these tales are great mystical vehicles containing transcendent truth, they are symbolic and should not be taken literally.  A literal reading will frequently yield an erroneous result.  The meaning of the myths is concealed in code.  To understand them requires a key.  For instance, when a God kills someone, this usually means a transformation of the soul to a higher level.  Similarly, sexual union with a God is a transformation.

PHOTO COPYRIGHT INFORMATION:  The many pages of this website incorporate images, some created by the author, but many obtained from outside sources.  To find out more information about these images and why this website can use them, visit this link:  Photo Copyright Information

DISCLAIMER:  The inclusion of images, quotations, and links from outside sources does not in any way imply agreement (or disagreement), approval (or disapproval) with the views of HellenicGods.org by the external sources from which they were obtained.

Further, the inclusion of images, quotations, and links from outside sources does not in any way imply agreement (or disagreement), approval (or disapproval) by HellenicGods.org of the contents or views of any external sources from which they were obtained.