Most have heard about the Greeks of old. Stories of Gods and Heroes, philosophers and poets can be found in our history books. Where did those ideals go and why were they replaced by ignorance and superstition? It has been said that the Hellenic people no longer exist and that those that claim to be its heirs are impostors. Few people are willing to acknowledge that the advent of Christianity meant the destruction of Hellas. Faced with the historical facts though, the forces that have occupied Greece for almost 2000 years resort to lies, aggression and at times open violence, in order to maintain their enormous wealth and power.
In 324 Era Vulgaris, having been impressed by the refusal of Christians to denounce their God, the Roman Emperor Constantinus declared this sect the official religion of his realm. His new capital, Nova Roma, was built on the site of the ancient town of Byzantium, which like Rome was surrounded by seven hills. Followers of the Native Religion were persecuted and their temples destroyed. The word Hellenas became an accusation and referred to followers of the traditional Pantheon. Greek-speaking Christians preferred to call themselves 'Romans', Romioi. In the year 393, Emperor Theodosius outlawed the Olympic Games. The Library of Alexandria, a centre of Hellenistic learning, was burnt down by a mob along with most of its books. Later, the last of the Greek philosophers, amongst them Hypatia, were either hacked to pieces and their remains scattered in the streets, or burned at the stake. Classical works of science and literature were hunted down and destroyed. The Dark Ages fell like a black curtain over Europe. Christianity, after years of dispute eventually split into two, with the eastern branch calling itself 'Orthodox'.
The Ottomans to the East were becoming an increasing threat to the Byzantines and the desperate Palaeologian Emperors considered aid from the West. The clergy of Constantinople though, fearing Catholic interference, struck a deal with the Ottomans. The Church's authority would continue as before, after the conquest, as Islamic teachings guaranteed freedom of religion for the Ahl al Kitab (People of the Book).
Despite today's theatrical denials, the Ottomans were assisted in their conquest of Constantinople in 1453 by the senior clergy. The city was defended by only a few thousand soldiers and mercenaries, whilst almost half a million young men were serving their God in the monasteries. The last Emperor, Konstantinos Palaiologos, completely unaware of the betrayal, fell heroically as the Ottomans pillaged his unfortunate city. When the dust had settled, the Church's official explanation was that the fall of Constantinople was the 'Will of God', because its inhabitants had been sinful. Islamic Law was imposed, whilst the Eastern Church and its hierarchy were rewarded with absolute rule over Orthodox subjects, Ragiades. This included Greek-speaking Christians, who were recognised, like all other Orthodox believers of the new empire, as 'The Roman people' (Milleti Rum). The Orthodoxoi, made up of different nationalities, were placed under the direct and complete control of the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Under the Ottomans, Christianity thrived and the majority of the population remained backward and illiterate. Priests regularly toured the countryside, escorted by Ottoman officials. They demanded taxes, which they shared with the Sultanate. Resistance to this oppression by the half-starved serfs was met with threats of excommunication. It was considered appropriate for good Christians to remain servile.
Escorted by Janissaries
In the first half of the 19th century, part of the land they call Greece finally gained 'independence'. A suitable king was imported by its western sponsors, first from Bavaria and later from Denmark. Modern Greek history was rewritten and a 'Graeco-Christian' national ideology invented. Ironically, the Orthodox Church put itself forward as the saviour of Hellenism.
We the descendants of the polytheistic Greeks, honour our Gods and Heroes. We practice and defend the Traditions, Religion and Ethos of our ancestors. Our Identity is sacred. Being ourselves indigenous, we support the just struggles of native peoples and First Nations around the world, including those of Australia’s Aboriginal population and the Maori tribes of New Zealand.
Australian Ethnikoi Hellenes is part of a larger group (YSEE) based in Greece, which wishes to bring together like-minded people in Australia and New Zealand. We are not interested in dialogue with fascists and racists.
Almost 2000 years as a persecuted minority... and we're still here.
The mountains look on Marathon - And Marathon looks on the sea;
And musing there an hour alone, I dream'd that Greece might still be free.
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