Author Topic: The Hellenic Temple of the Hellenes (Read 1833 times)

A Disgruntled Scotsman · « **on:** March 17, 2013, 06:04:10 pm »

Modern Greek Temple in Thessaloniki

I found about this a while ago. For those not in the know; it's a pantheonic Hellenic temple inspired by a rather wealthy Pagan who had it constructed on his land.

I've noticed a distinct paucity of news regarding it other than this blog entry - which dates to 2009 - and wondered if anyone else had any more recent information.

Is it still open? If so, is it open to tourists/non-Hellenic Pagans?

RandallS · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2013, 06:36:51 pm »

Quote from: A Disgruntled Scotsman;101709

I've noticed a distinct paucity of news regarding it other than this blog entry - which dates to 2009 - and wondered if anyone else had any more recent information.

That's all I remember ever seeing.

Melamphoros · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2013, 06:46:37 pm »

Quote from: A Disgruntled Scotsman;101709

Is it still open? If so, is it open to tourists/non-Hellenic Pagans?

I never heard of it but given the Greek-based Hellenic Pagan groups I'm aware of (IE the scary nationalist groups), I wouldn't be surprised if it had restricted access.

RandallS · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2013, 08:21:36 am »

Quote from: Melamphoros;101718

I never heard of it but given the Greek-based Hellenic Pagan groups I'm aware of (IE the scary nationalist groups), I wouldn't be surprised if it had restricted access.

Sadly true. Many of the Greek groups are more into nationalist politics than they are religion, IMHO.

A Disgruntled Scotsman · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2013, 01:49:53 pm »

Quote from: Melamphoros;101718

I never heard of it but given the Greek-based Hellenic Pagan groups I'm aware of (IE the scary nationalist groups), I wouldn't be surprised if it had restricted access.

Quote from: RandallS;101751

Sadly true. Many of the Greek groups are more into nationalist politics than they are religion, IMHO.

Well I had another look at the blog post and saw this:

Quote

As Mr. Kakogeorgiou (the land-owning Pagan previously mentioned) declared: «My intention was to create a work like this with conscientiousness and love. A home, inside of which, the Greek Gods and Heroes deserve to rest and to become a space for everyone who think according to the Greek spirit, without regard to one’s race and nationality.

This doesn't seem to suggest that the temple is for Greeks, or pureblood Greeks, or anything like that. I think it refers more to those who follow the old Greek gods.

A Disgruntled Scotsman · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2013, 02:01:12 pm »

Quote from: RandallS;101751

Sadly true. Many of the Greek groups are more into nationalist politics than they are religion, IMHO.

I've had a look at the website of a Hellenic group who seem to have a very insular goal of restoring the Hellenic traditions. That said, they seem far more interested in destroying the Greek Orthodox Church's influence within their nation than any ideas of racial purity.

They're called the 'Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes' or Y.S.E.E..

Melamphoros · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2013, 06:07:33 pm »

Quote from: A Disgruntled Scotsman;101785

I've had a look at the website of a Hellenic group who seem to have a very insular goal of restoring the Hellenic traditions. That said, they seem far more interested in destroying the Greek Orthodox Church's influence within their nation than any ideas of racial purity.

They're called the 'Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes' or Y.S.E.E..

And that would be the specific group I was thinking of. There's another group (or it could be the same one, I can't remember its name) that wishes to drive all Christians out of Greece.

RandallS · « **Reply #7 on:** March 18, 2013, 06:56:29 pm »

Quote from: Melamphoros;101808

And that would be the specific group I was thinking of. There's another group (or it could be the same one, I can't remember its name) that wishes to drive all Christians out of Greece.

I think it's the same group, but there are several Hellenic groups in Greece whose main interests seem to be nationalistic.

A Disgruntled Scotsman · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2013, 07:16:08 pm »

Quote from: Melamphoros;101808

And that would be the specific group I was thinking of. There's another group (or it could be the same one, I can't remember its name) that wishes to drive all Christians out of Greece.

That would be either the Church of Hellenes or, again, the Y.S.E.E..

Question. What about the Y.S.E.E. do you feel is racist? I could be judging this book too much by its cover and not looking closely enough at it.

DashesAgainst · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2013, 08:55:53 pm »

Quote from: Melamphoros;101808

And that would be the specific group I was thinking of. There's another group (or it could be the same one, I can't remember its name) that wishes to drive all Christians out of Greece.

Yeah, I'm not too impressed website with their website. (See "Theological and Cosmelogical Matters") I can understand (to a degree) being bitter over the oppressiveness of the Greek church, but the tone of their website doesn't help their image. They would have been better off just explaining their religious views without comparison to Christianity, imo.

troll maiden · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2013, 02:37:50 pm »

Quote from: A Disgruntled Scotsman;101709

Modern Greek Temple in Thessaloniki

If it was open I'd love to go.

Also to butt on the discussion about the YSEE, I had a look on their website. It was an interesting experience, I mean I don't think they're a bunch of zealots but openly claiming that a war is being fought against them seems a bit much. 'we realised we could not afford the luxury to remain silent in front of this open but "quiet" war against real (pre-Christian) Hellenism.'
Plus it just strikes me as strange that journalists haven't snapped this up. I mean the things that the YSEE accuse Christians of doing, if they had happened the mass media would have had a field day.