Myths and Mortals (Greek Mythology)

Hellenismos

Hellenismos or Hellenic Polytheistic Reconstructionism (among some adherents also known variously as Hellenism Greek: Ἑλληνισμός, Hellenic Ethnic Religion Ἑλληνικὴ Ἐθνικὴ Θρησκεία, Dodekatheism Δωδεκαθεϊσμός, Modern Greek polytheism or Olympianism) is a form of polytheistic reconstructionism which invokes historical religion in ancient Greece. It has emerged since the 1990s. It revolves around the Greek Gods, primarily focused on the Twelve Olympians, embracing ancient Greek values and virtues.

Groups and self-designations

Hellenic Reconstructionism exists in Greece and in other countries. Leaders of the movement claimed in 2005 that there are as many as 2,000 adherents to the Hellenic tradition in Greece, with an additional 100,000 who have "some sort of interest". No official estimates exist for devotees worldwide.

There are no official naming practices for this religion, but there does seem to be an informal naming convention, based on academically accepted descriptive definitions, adhered to by groups and most individuals. The term Hellenismos is used as identifier for both the ancient Greek religion and its modern reconstructed forms by some of its adherents today.[who?] The term originally stems from a systematization and revival of Greek religion done by the Roman Emperor Julian. Julian used the term to describe traditional religion of the Greeks[2] (The word also has other unrelated meanings in modern Greek.) Additionally, subgroups use a variety of names to distinguish branches focusing on specific schools of thought, or modern traditions focusing on the public practices of individual city-states. These subgroups can be described as denominations. Hellenic religion, and Hellenic polytheism can be said to be used interchangeably to refer to the religion, and are synonymous. The phrase Hellenic Polytheistic Reconstructionism refers more to the methodology used to revive the religion, than the religion itself. Dodekatheism and Olympianism are other names, though less commonly used.

In Greece

The first Greek organization to openly support the religious revival of Hellenic religion was Ύπατο Συμβούλιο των Ελλήνων Εθνικών (Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes or YSEE), established in 1997, and is publicly active. YSEE is a founding member of the World Congress of Ethnic Religions (now European Congress of Ethnic Religions) and hosted the seventh annual WCER Congress in June 2004. YSEE is also a member of the European Union's action programme to combat discrimination. The organization primarily refers to the religion as the "Ethnic Polytheistic, or "genuine Hellenismos" or simply "Hellenism" in English translations, and its practitioners as Ethnikoi Hellenes, "Ethnic Hellenes".

Another very active organization since its founding at 2008 is Labrys religious community. Labrys has focused primarily on the religious aspects of Hellenismos or Hellenic (Greek) polytheism, avoiding antichristian rhetoric and politics, establishing weekly public rituals and engaging in other aspects of practical promotion of polytheism like theater and music. Labrys has also promoted among Hellenic polytheists worldwide the need to actively practice household worship and the idea that family and community should be the starting points of religious practice. The community has been organizing since 2008 the largest festival in Athens and also actively participates and supports the religious aspects of the oldest Hellenic festival in Greece, Promitheiawhich is held every year on Mount Olympus.

Other Greek organizations, such as Dodekatheon (Δωδεκάθεον, Dōdekátheon, Of the Twelve Gods), the Helliniki Hetaireia Archaiophilon (Societas Hellenica Antiquariorum), the Thyrsos use a combination of terms interchangeably, including ἑλληνικὴ θρησκεία (hellēnikē thrēskeîa, translated as "Hellenic religion"), Hellenic polytheistic religion, and Hellenism.