RESOURCE

OF HELLENISMOS

Essays and Information

Concerning the ancient Greek religion

HellenicGods.org

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The following pages and links contain information covering a wide range of topics concerning the Hellenic polytheistic religion known as Ællinismόs (Hellenismos, Ἑλληνισμός), the ancient Greek religion. Unless otherwise noted, all of the essays were written by myself, Kallímakhos (the modern author), who is responsible for any errors; that which is correct is purely a reflection of what I have learned from my teacher in Greece and a vast library of the ancient world.

Be aware of the links near the top and 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, the ancient Greek religion

Hellenismos is a universal religion

How do we practice our religion?

The Four Pillars of Hellenismos

Links to many pages concerning the Thæi (the Gods), Heroes, and Philosophers of Hellenismos, along with a list of terms and an introductory discussion of the Gods:

Links to pages on individual Gods: GODS, HEROES, AND PHILOSOPHERS

The origin of the Gods: Orphic Theogony

Introduction to the Thæí (the Gods): The Nature of the Gods

What is the character of deity? The Goodness of the Gods

How do we know there are Gods? Experiencing Gods

For an extensive dictionary of terms related to the study and nature of the Gods, please visit this page: Glossary of Hellenic Theistic Terminology

The stories of our Gods are told in sacred riddles: Mythology in Hellenismos

An extensive dictionary of words, ancient and modern, concerning mythology, please visit this page: Glossary of Mythology in Hellenismos

This website and our communities are directly oriented to the teachings of Orphéfs (Orpheus, Ὀρφεύς) and his successors. The following provides links to all the pages of this website which discuss Orphéfs specifically and various topics concerning Orphismós (Orphism, Ορφισμός), his teachings: ORPHEUS AND ORPHISM

Much of the theology of our religion has been preserved in fragments. These many pages include not only translations of the fragments into English, but the original ancient Greek text as well (as actual text, not merely facsimiles of the book):

THE ORPHIC FRAGMENTS OF OTTO KERN.

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

WORSHIP AND RITUAL IN HELLENISMOS

Arætí (Arete) is defined as Virtue. What is virtue in our religion?

Arætí: Virtue in Ællinismόs

Compassion in Ancient Greek Religion

Glossary of Virtue

Hymn to Virtue by Aristotǽlis

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

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

Here are some links to movies that convey the spirit of Hellenismos:

Movies and Hellenismos

Some practitioners of Hellenismos identify with the name pagan, but it is better to refuse it. Find out why:

Pagan: Is the term appropriate to identify the ancient Greek religion?

The following links to an essay detailing the relationship and problems between our religion and Christianity:

Christians and Hellenismos

...related to this topic: Exclusivism and Hellenismos

Many individuals in the greater Hellenic community practice magic and divination; this website does not support either. To discover some of the reasons why, visit these pages (under construction):

Divination and Hellenismos

Magic, Ancient Greek Religion, and Orphism

Glossary of Magic in Ancient Greek Language

Photos from Delphi, October 2008:

Delphi 2008

What is Fate in ancient Greek religion?

Destiny

There are connections between the religion of the ancient Kelts (Celts) and Hellenismos:

Kelts

PLEASE CONSIDER SIGNING THIS PETITION: While excavating for the electric railway in Athens, the Altar of the Twelve Gods has been discovered. This altar is second only to the Parthenon in importance, an immensely important monument. Now the railway company wishes to cover it up and continue building. Your signature on this petition can make a difference:

HELP SAVE THE ALTAR OF THE TWELVE GODS

PLEASE CONSIDER SIGNING ANOTHER PETITION: During World War II, Greece was occupied by the Nazi Germans. A great amount of gold was removed from the country and damages of many kinds occurred during this period. These are some of the factors which have impacted the stability of Greece having repercussions to this very day. Reparations were promised after the re-unification of Berlin, but this never happened. These reparations are badly needed by Greece in its current fiscal difficulties and the receipt of these reparations is a matter of Justice:

WW-II GERMAN REPARATIONS TO GREECE

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

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

This logo is the principal symbol of this website. It is called the CESS logo, i.e. the Children of the Earth and the Starry Sky. The Pætilía (Petelia, Πετηλία) and other golden tablets having this phrase (Γῆς παῖς εἰμί καὶ Οὐρανοῦ ἀστερόεντος) are the inspiration for the symbol. The image represents this idea: Earth (divisible substance) and the Sky (continuous substance) are the two kozmogonic substances. The twelve stars represent the Natural Laws, the dominions of the Olympian Gods. In front of these symbols is the seven-stringed kithára (cithara, κιθάρα), the lyre of Apóllôn (Apollo, Ἀπόλλων). It (here) represents the bond between Gods and mortals and is representative that we are the children of Orphéfs (Orpheus, Ὀρφεύς).

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

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.

The story of the birth of the Gods: Orphic Theogony.

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.

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.

For more information: Inquire.hellenicgods@gmail.com

For answers to many questions: Hellenismos FAQ

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