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Ancient Gods Live On: Modern Greek Polytheism Revealed
19 Jul
Summary
- A community in Athens actively practices ancient Greek polytheism.
- The group Labrys honors deities like Athena and Zeus as a living faith.
- This practice is a continuation, not a revival, of ancient traditions.
In contemporary Athens, Greece, a vibrant community actively practices ancient Hellenistic polytheism. This living faith honors deities such as Athena, Zeus, Dionysus, and Poseidon, viewing them not as metaphors but as genuine objects of worship. The group Labrys, for instance, engages in ceremonies like Plynteria, an ancient purification festival for Athena.
Members emphasize that their practice is a continuation of beliefs that have endured for millennia, not a historical revival. This perspective highlights a spiritual connection to their heritage, offering an alternative to dominant monotheistic religions and a framework for understanding the world.
The group Labrys, established in 2007, emerged from a desire to prioritize religious practice over politics. They welcome individuals with genuine interest in Greek polytheism, encouraging observation of public events like Phallephoria, a festival honoring Dionysus.
For practitioners, Greek polytheism provides a path to eudaimonia, a state of enduring happiness achieved through virtues like justice and wisdom. These virtues, seen as gifts from the gods, are considered essential elements often missing in the modern world.
