Collection: Greek Traditions

Greek religion was not based on a written creed or body of dogma. Its worshippers honoured many gods, and also gods of the countryside such as Pan and the nymphs, and heroes such as Heracles and Asclepius. Many adherents describe a relationship of kharis (grace), a reciprocity between humans, gods and communities, expressed through prayer and offerings. Today's practitioners often put correct practice ahead of uniform belief, and individual views range across polytheism, animism and monism.

Hellenismos has been practised openly as a revived religion since roughly the late 1990s. In Greece, the Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes (YSEE), established in 1997, acts as an umbrella organisation. In the United States, Hellenion describes its practice as Hellenic Pagan Reconstructionism. Modern Hellenism is typically practised individually or in small communities, and has no central church or hierarchical clergy. Not all Hellenists are reconstructionists. Many offer fruit, vegetables, grains and sweets in place of animal sacrifice.

In ancient temples, the god's image was housed in the temple, yet no ritual was associated with the image itself, though it was sometimes paraded. Families often kept small images of gods, miniature altars and painted plaques. Great festivals included the Panathenaia for Athena, with processions, sacrifices, music and athletic contests, and the City Dionysia at Athens. Modern Hellenists follow reconstructed calendars such as the Attic calendar, keeping festivals like the Anthesteria and the monthly Noumenia.

Sources: Britannica: Greek religion (beliefs, practices, institutions) · Britannica: Greek religion summary · Wikipedia: Hellenism (modern religion) · Hellenion: My Hellenismos 101 · Hellenic Polytheistic Reconstructionism (overview)