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ATHINÁ, QUEEN OF ATHENS. This is a photograph of an extraordinary embroidery, approximately 34" x 24." The background material and thread are silk. The face of Athiná, as well as her arms and feet, are painted. The embroidery is very old and sustains considerable damage. It has been examined by a specialist who has determined that it is approximately 200 years old; the embroidery includes gold thread which, in this case, has turned black, indicating great age. The author was unable to take a good picture, as the silk shines back at the camera, so I did my best to "repair" the image using Photoshop. It is impossible to see in this photograph the incredible care that was taken in the creation of the needlework, no shortcuts whatsoever were taken in its construction; it is magnificent.

The Goddess Athiná (Athena, Ἀθηνᾶ) is the central figure of the embroidery. She is adorned with a magnificent multi-colored gown of blues, greens, yellows, and tans. About her neck is the Aiyís (Aegis, Αἰγίς), decorated with sequins. Her crown and waistband are bejeweled with rhinestones or perhaps real gems, as can be found elsewhere on her attire. Behind, to her right, is the olive tree, her gift to the city of Athínai (Athens, Ἀθῆναι), as is told in the collection of mythology written by Apollódohros (Apollodorus, Ἀπολλόδωρος), the Vivliothíki (Bibliotheca or Library, Βιβλιοθήκη, in book 3 at 14.1). To the left of Athiná is her most renowned temple, the Parthænóhn (Parthenon, Παρθενών), construction of which was initiated by the statesman Pæriklís (Pericles, Περικλῆς) in the most famous historical era of the city. In the foreground are beautifully embroidered flora of Ællás (Hellas or Greece, Ἑλλάς).

Somehow, this magnificent piece of art found its way to the United States of America where it eventually went to auction and was acquired by our community. It is now back where it belongs, at home in Greece. We feel greatly blessed and humbled to have rescued such an exquisite piece of art. In these very troubled times, it is our sincere hope that finding this embroidery is an auspicious sign of the continued protection of Athens, of Greece, and of our religious community, by Athiná, who, according to the Orphic Theogony (See The Fifth King; Orphic frag. 175), is Virtue itself.

Hymn to Liberty

written by Dionýsios Solomós in 1823, music by Nikolaos Mantzaros in 1965

Σὲ γνωρίζω ἀπὸ τὴν κόψη

Τοῦ σπαθιοῦ τὴν τρομερή,

Σὲ γνωρίζω ἀπὸ τὴν ὄψη,

Ποὺ μὲ βιὰ μετράει τὴν γῆ.

Ἀπ’ τὰ κόκκαλα βγαλμένη

Τῶν Ἑλλήνων τὰ ἱερά,

Καὶ σὰν πρῶτα ἀνδρειωμένη,

Χαῖρε, ὢ χαῖρε, Ἐλευθεριά!

I shall always recognize you

By the dreadful sword you hold,

As the Earth with searching vision

You survey with spirit bold.

From the Greeks of old whose dying

Brought to life and spirit free,

Now with ancient valour rising

Let us hail you, oh Liberty!

For the entire poem by Dionýsios Solomós in 158 stanzas: The Hymn to Liberty/Ὕμνος εἰς τὴν Ἐλευθερίαν

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.

We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology.

Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology.

SPELLING: HellenicGods.org uses the Reuchlinian method of pronouncing ancient Greek, the system preferred by scholars from Greece itself. An approach was developed to enable the student to easily approximate the Greek words. Consequently, the way we spell words is unique, as this method of transliteration is exclusive to this website. For more information, visit these three pages :

Pronunciation of Ancient Greek

Transliteration of Ancient Greek

Pronouncing the Names of the Gods in Hellenismos

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