FROM THE NEWSPAPER "ETHNOS" 15/02/2001

ENGLISH TRANSLATION 

'Believers of the Dodekatheon', by Anna Panagiotarea

Until now I thought that I'd heard everything regarding the "Rebirth of the Ancient Spirit", thinking it a big joke.  I believed that it involved a few of our classically-minded fellow citizens, who live by the ideal of "The Ancient Immortal Spirit" and who occupy themselves with our "ancient ancestors", the "ancestral glory" and monuments of classical antiquity.  But to my surprise, I'm informed - from sources far from unreliable - that here (in Hellas) various "unexplainable things" are occurring.

There are a few thousand Greeks - yes, you read correctly - that live in the country, who believe in the... Gods of Olympus.  And have various sources of aid from similar movements in America - all madness originates from there, you know!  I repeat that what I write isn't a prank or a joke.  And naturally, they tell me that we're not talking about colourful eccentrics who wear tunics and invite Zeus to rain down his thunderbolts or Aphrodite to assist in sexual matters.

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It involves everyday people who live amongst us - some being scientists or academics and some claiming to be church-goers, who consider the supreme being to be Apollo - for example - and who live an... Apollonian existence!  I hear that they propagate numerous documents that circulate from hand-to-hand...

The other day they told me that they had asked to visit an archaeological site in Macedonia to perform rituals.  Naturally, they were told that such things were unheard of and the security services were given orders that if they appeared they should be kicked out, which led to them not daring to show.

However, now I'm told that they've found Delos suitable, because access on the island is somewhat difficult, due to its special conditions, and they have found there a place to... worship.  I ask myself if The Ministry of Culture has guards on the island at all times and what orders they have received.

In our land, fortunately, everyone can believe whatever they wish.  With the condition that they don't preach to others.

 

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"Once certain of the pagan philosophers were emboldened to persuade the Emperor that in rejecting the ancient faith of his fathers, and also Roman and Greek laws, he had taken on some new faith and new laws which, they claimed, had led to the decline of the Empire. The philosophers received the Emperor's consent to enter into a debate on faith with Bishop Alexander.  Although not learned in pagan philosophy, God's luminary Alexander was filled with the Holy Spirit and he did not shrink from the debate.  When the philosophers had gathered in great number, they chose from among themselves one whom they considered to be the wisest.  The latter was presented to the holy one while the rest prepared to listen attentively.  Beginning the debate, the most holy Patriarch Alexander said to the philosopher:   'In the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, I command you to be silent!'   Immediately the philosopher lost his tongue and became dumb, so that he could not utter a single word."

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