Hellenism (), also known as Hellenic Polytheism, is a modern polytheistic neopagan religion based on ancient Greek religion. Its practitioners worship the Greek gods through prayer, offerings, household and public rituals, and annual festivals.
Hellenism encompasses a diverse range of theological and philosophical views, whilst emphasizing values such as Eusebeia (piety), Arete (virtue), and Xenia (hospitality).
The modern revival of Hellenism began in the 20th century, with organized movements emerging in Greece during the 1990s. Whereas many practitioners describe Hellenism as the continuation or revival of an enduring religious tradition, most historians regard it as a modern reconstruction of ancient Greek religion. The religion is currently practised internationally by a variety of organizations and independent communities. In 2017, Hellenism was legally recognized as a "known religion" in Greece, permitting it to establish places of worship and its clergy to officiate at marriages.
Naming and terminology
Hellenism () has been historically used to refer to paganism since the time of Emperor Julian the Philosopher in the 4th Century CE, who may have been the first to use the term in a letter to Arsacius, High-priest of Galatia:
In the original Greek:
From this, some followers use the term Hellenism or Hellenismos as a religious label in homage to Emperor Julian. In a 2018 lecture, Vlassis G. Rassias defined Hellenism as being beyond religious simplification, explaining it to be the Hellenic "way of life", or "worldview".
The phrase "Hellenic polytheistic reconstructionism" is used to refer to a methodology used by some practitioners in which Hellenism should be created/recreated based on academic sources, rather than the religion itself. Other organizations, such as (), the (Societas Hellenica Antiquariorum), and the () use a combination of terms interchangeably, including "" ("", "Hellenic religion"), "Hellenic polytheistic religion", and "Hellenism".
Other terms in common usage by Hellenists include "Greek reconstructionism" and "Hellenic Traditionalism", but the two are not synonymous. The American group Elaion uses the term "Dodekatheism" (, , "twelve" + , , "belief in the gods") to describe its approach to the Hellenic religion, stating that the term: "has been used for some time within and outside Greece to refer to ancient Greek religion and we feel that it is important for those of us outside Greece share a common name and identity with our co-religionists in the homeland of our spirituality", and believes that the term 'Hellenism' is too closely linked to the usage by the modern Greek nation.
Theology and values There is debate between followers of Hellenism over the inclusion of theology. Some argue that theology must be included due to it being important to both ancient tradition and ancient philosophy. YSEE have published materials about the ancient Greek religion that have included sections on theology and praxis, but without specific references to philosophers or philosophical movements.
Others disagree on the centrality of theology. They argue that Hellenism's lack of dogmas or holy books means that theology only relates to philosophical movements. This means that at the community level, they reject any association with specific philosophical paths. Individuals may associate but it should not be endorsed by a group or the community, similar to monotheistic religions. Therefore, those against theology's inclusion consider the rituals to be based on mythology, with myths forming the basis of their festivals.
This perspective does not mean that members of a community or the broader Hellenic following can do whatever they please. There are certain principles, rooted in tradition, that members must follow. As one follower stated, "you can't be dogmatic in our circles, because we don't have a dogma [laughing], ... there are of course some guiding principles that one needs to follow because they are based on tradition, these are things that you need to follow." In some cases, values are openly stated in the group's texts:
While there are certain values that are held in common within the community and are expected to be accepted by followers, this does not apply to theological or philosophical beliefs. As one member stated, "it doesn't matter if you have read Homer or Hesiod. The most important is piety. To be possessed by Gods and be pious is the A and Z." Most members consider piety one of the most important values in life to follow.
Prominent concepts in Hellenism include, but are not limited to: Eusebeia (piety), Arete (virtue), and Xenia (hospitality). These are rooted in various concepts taken from ancient Greek values that are looked to for guidance and inspiration and taken from various texts including the Tenets of Solon, the Delphic maxims, the Golden verses of Pythagoras, Epicurean philosophy, the ethics of Aristotle, Stoic philosophy among others.
Eusebeia
Eusebeia (Εὐσέβεια) is often translated as "piety" or "reverent conduct" (towards gods or parents), "reverence", "respect". Eusebeia is the basic practice of Hellenic Religion, and is fundamental in every way. Eusebeia is the attitude and practice of showing respect and reverence to the Gods and parents. The Delphic Maxims say "Follow God" (), "Worship the Gods" (), and "Respect Your Parents" ().
Arete
Arete () is often translated as "excellence" or "moral virtue".Liddell, H. G. & Scott, R. A Greek–English Lexicon, 9th ed. (Oxford, 1940), s.v. . Arete is intrinsic to the concept of living up to one's potential. For modern Hellenists, arete is one of the most important virtues, and it is believed that cultivating it will lead to a good life of happiness and prosperity. Cultivating arete is not limited to just one domain, but also refers to the improvement of all aspects of one's existence.
In Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, "arete" is used mainly to describe heroes and nobles in reference to their mobile dexterity, strength, or courage, but it is not limited to this. Penelope's arete, for example, relates to co-operation, for which she is praised by Agamemnon. The excellence of the gods generally included their power, but, in the Odyssey (13.42), the gods can grant excellence to a life, which is contextually understood to mean prosperity.
Xenia
Xenia () is the concept of hospitality and is sometimes translated as "guest-friendship" or "ritualized friendship". It is an institutionalized relationship, rooted in generosity, gift exchange, and reciprocity; fundamental aspects of xenia. Historically, hospitality towards foreigners (Hellenes not of one's polis) and guests was a moral obligation. Hospitality towards foreign Hellenes honored Zeus Xenios (and Athene Xenia), patrons of foreigners. In aristocratic circles, as early as the Homeric epics, it was treated as a sort of fictitious kinship, cemented not only by ties of hospitality and gift exchange but by an obligation to promote the interests of the xenos. Theoxenia is a theme in Greek mythology in which human beings demonstrate their virtue or piety by extending hospitality to a humble stranger (xenos), who turns out to be a disguised deity (theos) with the capacity to bestow rewards.
Offerings and rituals Offerings and libations are considered sacred integral acts within worship. There are several types of offerings that are performed, sacrifices, votive offerings, and libations.
Devotees are divided upon the question of animal sacrifice. Some are fine with the practice, while others do not engage in the practice at all. Some instead offer symbolic food of the animal that is sacrificed instead of the animal, often though not exclusively fruit, bread, or cakes. Worship generally takes the form of prayer, offerings, and setting up altars. Altars serve as the sacred place and focal point of worship to one or more given deities, where offerings and prayers are made to the gods.
Beliefs Hellenism is a pluralistic religion similar to its historical counterpart. The religion holds beliefs ranging between polytheism, animism and monism, but they are not mutually exclusive and one may hold beliefs that fall into some or all of these categories. Additionally, there are other interpretations of divinity in line with Hellenistic philosophies, like Epicureanism.
Devotees worship the Greek gods, which includes the Twelve Olympians, divinities and spirits of nature (e.g. nymphs), underworld deities (the chthonic gods) and heroes. Both physical and spiritual ancestors are greatly honored. The gods exhibit both universal and local qualities. For the Greeks, "their gods were at the same time universal, found everywhere and powerful over the whole world, and intensely local, manifesting themselves in particular places."
Some Hellenists may also enrich their beliefs through metaphysical schools or frameworks of Ancient Greece and the Hellenistic world with developed cosmological systems. Amongst the most prominent of these schools are neoplatonism and stoicism.
Although Hellenism is heavily based on the myths, most practitioners do not believe the myths as being literal (or that they are a watered-down or heavily changed version of true events). Instead, they see the myths as sacred stories with meaning and high learning value.
Festivals
There are many festivals throughout the year that many seek to celebrate, where the dates are often set by the lunisolar Attic calendar. The festivals typically commemorate events in Greek history, honoring deities that the festivals celebrate, and connote spiritual themes. The celebrations incorporate religious themes, arts, sacrifices and offerings, family get togethers and feasts. Popular sacred days are Deipnon, Noumenia and Agathos Daimon.
Hellenic festivals include:
Anthesteria Lenaia Dionysia Thargelia Arrephoria Kronia Aphrodisia Panathanaia Herakleia Genesia Pyanepsia Thesmophoria Khalkeia Rural Dionysia Haloa Elaphebolia City Dionysia
Relationship to ancient Greek religion
The majority of modern historians agree that the religion practiced by the ancient Greeks had been extinguished by the 9th century AD at the latest and that there is no evidence that it survived past the Middle Ages. (In certain isolated areas it survived until the 12th century; see Tsakonia and Maniots.)Gregory, T. (1986). "The Survival of Paganism in Christian Greece: A Critical Essay". The American Journal of Philology, 107(2), 229–242. Greek member Panagiotis Marinis has claimed that the religion of ancient Greece survived throughout the intervening centuries, and some claim they were raised in families that practiced this religion.
The revival of Hellenic religious identity is typically only part of a larger social movement of re-Hellenizing Greek identity in a comprehensive way, not only religious. This re-Hellenization movement is the current iteration of previous attempts to revive Hellenism. The first to promote such effortsJames Henderson Burns, The Cambridge History of Medieval Political Thought c. 350 – c. 1450, Cambridge University Press, 1988. was the late Byzantine philosopher Georgios Gemistus Plethon in the 15th century. It was in Mystras, in the Despotate of the Morea, that Plethon formed a 'circle' of students. It is through Plethon and his students that many ethnic Greeks today trace their teachings and practices and give credit for tradition's survival to the present day.
Two notable students of Plethon include the historian Laonikos Chalkokondyles and Bessarion. Bessarion, educated in Neoplatonism, was considered for the Catholic papacy twice. In a letter recounting the news of his teacher's death, Bessarion says that Plethon has left to "dance with the Olympian Gods" () and honors Plethon by claiming him to be the reincarnation of Plato based on the "teachings of the Pythagoreans and Plato about the endless ascent and descent of souls" ().