Zeus Worship Now Legal in Greece

zeus-story.jpgAfter a 1600 year moratorium, it is now once again legal to worship Zeus in Greece. Ellinais is a group of lawyers and academics who have fought in the courts to bring back part of Greek history. The worship of Zeus had previously been illegal.

In mythology it’s generally accepted that the “Gods” of ancient Greece died when their worship ceased. Or more correctly they “faded” because they were not needed anymore. The followers of the ancient Greek Gods did not have liturgy or set “rules of living”. These beliefs gave way to the monotheistic religions of the God of Abraham which is reflected in Islam, Judaism and Christianity.

It’s interesting to note that the start of the final blow to the worship of Greek Gods was Constantine’s conversion to Christianity in the 4th century. Also of note, the followers of the Greek Gods did not have a set order of creeds or sets of social protocol.

I learned something new. Did you know that at the beginning of the Olympic games when they light the flame at Olympiad, that this is actually an invocation of Apollo, the Ancient Greek God of Light? For this reason many church officials refuse to attend. Most Greeks are currently baptised as Orthodox Christians.

CNN Article Excerpt:
Christianity rose to prominence in Greece in the fourth century after Roman Emperor Constantine’s conversion. Emperor Theodosius wiped out the last vestige of the Olympian gods when he abolished the Olympic Games in A.D. 394.

Read the CNN article on Zeus worship making a comeback.

The Olympian Gods of Greek Mythology

In Greek Mythology, the Olympians are a group of 12 gods who ruled after the overthrow of the Titans. All the Olympians are related in some way. They are named after their dwelling place, Mount Olympus. The Olympian Gods are: Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, Hera, Ares, Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, Hermes, Artemis, Hephaestus.

2 thoughts on “Zeus Worship Now Legal in Greece

  1. It’s a strange world, isn’t it?

    Zeus worship has once again become acceptable, while
    Germany has banned Christian Science. The recitation of
    the Lord’s Prayer has been removed from the classroom, yet
    was part of this weeks welcoming service for the Pope at
    the White House…etc!

  2. As a Christian, I will fight tooth and nail to support the right of a person to pray to the deity of their choosing. Greece should have legalized Hellenic Paganism long ago, and the Germans need to follow in kind with Christian Science. Hell, if a person wants to believe in a faith that says Moses and Zeus sired a child named Judas, let them!

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