apollophanes

[apollophanes]

"You [Apollo] who know the appointed end of all things, and all the paths that lead to them? And how many leaves the earth puts forth in spring, and how many grains of sand in the sea and in rivers are dashed by the waves and the gusting winds; and that which will be, and from where it will come, all this you clearly see."

- Pindar, Pythian Ode 9

[apollophanes]

Just a little something I wrote:

"It is foolish to believe the Gods, being transcendent as they are, would be overly concerned with our mortal affairs. It is equally foolish to believe the Gods, being immanent as they are, do not concern themselves with us."

[apollophanes]

"O ye gods, bestow on me whatever is due. If therefore I am of the number of worthy men, I shall obtain more than I have said; but if the gods rank me among the wicked, then they will send to me the opposite of what I ask; and I shall not blame the gods, because for my demerit I am judged worthy of evil."

— Life of Apollonius by Philostratus, lib. iv. cap. xl.

[apollophanes]

Hellenism Resources

This is by no means a complete list, it’s just a collection of some sites, articles, and books I’ve found online that are interesting or useful.

Ancient Greek Cults:A Guide by Jennifer Larson

Aristotle on Religion by Mor Segev

Brutality of Citizen Wives, The by Mary E. Naples, M.A.

Collection of Greek Ritual Norms

Dionysus and His Cult and Worship; a Gender Study by Leah Hatch  

Divine Appetites and Animal Sacrifice by Mat Carbon

Greek Philosophy and Religion by Gábor Betegh

Harvard’s Center for Hellenic Studies- Classical Inquires page 

Harvard’s Center for Hellenic Studies-Library

Harvard’s Center for Hellenic Studies- Research Bulletin

Homer’s Gods, Plato’s Gods by Dr. Garrett 

Households, Families, and Religion by Matthew Dillon

Human Transgression–Divine Retribution by Aslak Rostad  

Imagining the Afterlife by Radcliffe Edmonds

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Introduction to Inner Purity and Pollution in Ancient Greek Religion by Andrej Pertovic

Meaning of Reciprocity in Ancient Greek Religion, The by A. Koutoupas

Mortal and Divine In Early Greek Etymology  by Shaul Tor

Oracular Functioning and Architecture of Five Ancient Apollo Temples Through Archaeoastronomy: Novel Approach and Interpretation by Belen Martin Castro, Ioannis Liritzis, and Anne Nyquist

Pausanias’ Descriptions of Greece

Personal Religion in Ancient Greece by Emily Whitmore

Plato’s Writings

Pythagoreans, Orphism and Greek Religion by Gábor Betegh

Recovering the Past: The Origins of Greek Heroes and Hero Cult by Jorge Bravo

Rethinking Aphrodite as a Goddess at Work by Gabriella Pironti

Sacred and the Profane, The by Mircea Eliade

Theoi.com

Theoi.com- Library

Theophoric Names and the History of Greek Religion by Robert Parker

Unraveling the Eleusinian Mysteries by Mary E. Naples, M.A .

[apollophanes]

"The man who worships Zeus the God of Comrades, and who, though he sees his neighbours in need of money, does not give them even so much as a drachma, how, I say, can he think that he is worshipping Zeus aright?"

— Fragment of a letter to a priest by Emperor Julian

[apollophanes]

"These, therefore, being arranged according to triads, as we have said, of the demiurgic triad, indeed, Zeus is allotted the highest order, supernally from intellect governing souls and bodies, and as Socrates says, taking care of all things. But Poseidon here also gives completion to the middle of the demiurgic [triad], and especially governs the psychical order. For this God is the cause of motion, and of all generation. But soul is the first of generated natures, and is essentially motion. And Hephaestus inspires the nature of bodies, and fabricates all the mundane seats of the Gods. Again, of the guardian and immutable triad, the first indeed is Hestia, because she preserves the very being of things, and an undefiled essence. For Socrates in the Cratylus gives to her the highest order, as connectedly containing the summits of wholes. But Athena preserves middle lives inflexible, through intellection, and a self-energizing life, sustaining them from [the incursions of] matter. And Ares illuminates corporeal-formed natures with power, and an infrangible strength, as Socrates says in the Cratylus. Hence he is perfected by Athena, and participates of a more intellectual inspiration, as the poetry [of Orpheus] says, and of a life separate from generated natures. Moreover, of the vivific triad, Demeter is the chief, entirely generating all mundane life, viz. the intellectual, the psychical, and that which is inseparable from body. But Hera contains the middle of the triad, and imparts the generation of soul. For the intellectual goddess emits from herself all the progressions of the other psychical genera. And Artemis is allotted the end of the triad, moving all natural reasons into energy, and perfecting the imperfection of matter. Hence theologists, and Socrates in the Theætetus, call her Lochia, (or the power that presides over births) as being the inspective guardian of psychical progression and generation. Of the remaining triad, therefore, the anagogic, or elevating, Hermes indeed is the supplier of philosophy, and through this elevates souls, and by the dialectic powers, sends upward both total and partial souls to the good itself. But Aphrodite is the first-effective cause of the amatory inspiration which pervades through wholes, and familiarizes to the beautiful the lives that are elevated by her. And Apollo perfects and converts all things through music, convolving, as Socrates says [in the Cratylus], and through harmony and rhythm attracting to intellectual truth, and the light which is there."

— The Six Books of Proclus, the Platonic Successor, on the Theology of Plato/Book VI, Chapter XXII

[apollophanes]

Hymn to the Venerable Julian:

O righteous and divinely inspired one, you bravely faced the storms of confusion, and like a sailor you turned your ship around and sought a safe harbor. You dispelled the darkness of wickedness with your wisdom and showed us a new path. O beloved servant of the gods, righteous emperor Julian, you have attained the highest place among the holy ones.

[apollophanes]

Hey *hand on shoulder* you know that Greece, along with most of the balkan countries, has been under ottoman turkish rule for more than 400 years? You know that Greece today has many economic problems today, despite it's history being rich?

You know that Greece is very prone to forest fires and natural disasters?

Also, do you know that Greece, along with Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Montenegro... They are all protesting against corruption, and no one talked about it.

You talk about wanting to have temples to worship in modern day, but you don't care about the land that those temples would be built on?

Greece may be an Orthodox Christian country. But trust me, the gods are still very much living there. Their spirit is still there. Poseidon is still ruling the waves, Zeus is still watching over in the sky, Demeter is taking care of the crops.

All i am asking is... Spread awareness. I am saying this on behalf of my greek friend, firstly, who has complained to me about their issues not being heard. LEARN HISTORY. STUDY CURRENT WORLD EVENTS. SEND LOVE TO THE LAND OF GREECE, WHO HAS ENDURED GREAT HARDSHIPS.

[apollophanes]

“The Ethiopians say that the gods are black, while the Thracians say that they have blue eyes and red hair. Yet if cattle or horses or lions had hands and could draw, and could sculpt like men, then the horses would draw their gods like horses, and cattle like cattle; and each they would shape bodies of gods in the likeness, each kind, of their own.”

— Xenophanes

[apollophanes]

It's always "Hades isn't bad or cruel, his deeds are just metaphors of the inevitable death" or "Hades kidnapping Persephone represent the premature death".

But when the argument "Zeus has numerous affairs and many children because he represent the fertile rain" is brought up, all nuance is suddenly out of the window and Zeus is just a womanizer who can't keep it in his pants.

[apollophanes]

INTRODUCTION

Hello there, and welcome to my blog! You may call me Apollophanes. I am 18 years old and use he/him pronouns.

I am a Hellenic polytheist devoted to the Theoi. My Leader God is Apollon. You can expect to see content about all forms of Hellenic polytheism here. I am also a Neoplatonist and theurgist, so you may find content related to that here as well.

I strongly support the Xenia Declaration. All good people are welcome to worship the Theoi.

DNI

If you fall under any of these categories, stay far away from this blog because you are not welcome here: Racists, xenophobes, sexists, ableists, homophobes, transphobes, anti-lgbtqia+, transmedicalists, pedophiles body-shamers, antisemites, and anything similar. To paraphrase, no jerks are welcome here.

May the Theoi bless us always as we align ourselves with them 🙏

[apollophanes]

O Dionysos, O Bacchus

I ask virtue of Thee

Thou art He who liberates and frees

Thou art He who loosens our chains

Thrice-Born, Lord of the Grapevine

We ascend with Thee

We rise with Thee

Thou art holy and pure

Mighty Lord, free us of that which binds the soul to the body

Lend virtue to us, O Son of the King

So that we may achieve likeness to Thee

O Prince of Olympos, we praise Thee eternally

Χαῖρε Διόνυσε

Avé Bacche

[apollophanes]

Aphrodite Epithets

Philommeidês(Φιλομμειδης) - Laughter-Loving

Philommêdês(Φιλομμηδης) - Genital-Loving

Aphrogeneia(Αφρογενεια) - Foam-Born

Khryseê(Χρυσεη) - Golden

Dia(Δια) - Diving, Shining

Dios Thugatêr(Διος θυγατηρ) - Daughter of Zeus

Pothôn Mêtêr(Ποθων Μητηρ) - Mother of Desire

Eustephanos(Ευστεφανος) - Richly Crowned, Well Girdled

Ourania(Ουρανια) - Heavenly, Divine(Love)

Pandêmos(Πανδημος) - Common to All People(Love)

Makhanitis(Μαχανιτις) - Deviser, Contriver

Epistrophia(Επιστροφια) - She who Turns to (Love)

Apostrophia(Αποστροφια) - Averter of (unlawful desires)

Kataskopia(Κατασκοπια) - Spying, Peeping

Psithyristês(Ψιθυριστης) - Whispering

Praxis(Πραξις) - Action(Sexual)

Melainis(Μελαινις) - Black(Of Night)

Symmakhia(Συμμαχια) - Ally(In Love)

Apatouros(Απατουρος) - Deceptive One

Nymphia(Νυμφια) - Bridal

Migôntis(Μιγωντις) - Union(Marital)

Dôritis(Δωριτις) - Bountiful

Hêrê(Ἡρη) - Of Hera(Of Marriage)

Morphô(Μορφω) - Of Shapely Form

Ambologêra(Αμβολογηερα) - Postponer of Old Age

Nikêphoros(Νικηφορος) - Bringer of Victory

Areia(Αρεια) - Of Ares, Warlike

Hôplismenê(Ὡπλισμενη) - Armed

Euploia(Ευπλοια) - Fair Voyage

Pontia(Ποντια) - Of The Sea

Limenia(Λιμενια) - Of The Harbour

Xenia(Ξενια) - Of The Foreigner

These might not be all of them, I apologize if I missed any.

Big thanks to Theoi.com for helping me out on this post.

[apollophanes]

Hermes Epithets

Diaktoros(Διακτορος)- Guide, Messenger

Athanatos Diaktoros(Αθανατος Δα��κτορος) - Immortal Guide

Angelos Athanatôn(Ανγελος Αθανατων) - Messenger of the Gods

Angelos Makarôn(Ανγελος Μακαρων) - Messenger of the Blessed

Khrysorrhapis(Χρυσορραπις) - Of the Golden Wand

Klepsiphrôn(Κλεπσιφρων) - Deceiver, Dissembler

Mêkhaniôtês(Μηχανιωτης) - Trickster, Contriver

Phêlêtês(Φηλητης) - Thief, Robber, Rustler

Arkhos Phêlêteôn(Αρχοσ Φηλητεων) - Leader of Robbers, Thieves

Poikilomêtês(Ποικιλομητης) - Full of Various Wiles

Polytropos(Πολυτροπος) - Wily, Many-Turning

Poneomenos(Πονεομενος) - Busy One

Bouphonos(Βουφονος) - Slayer of Oxen

Oiopolos(Οιοπολος) - Sheep Tending, Shepherd

Dais Hetairos(Δαις Ἑταιρος) - Comrade of the Feast

Kharidôtês(Χαριδωτης) - Giver of Joy

Kharmophrôn(Χαρμοπηρων) - Glad-hearted, Heart-Delighting

Dôtor Eaôn(Δωτορ Εαων) - Giver of Good Things

Akakêta(Ακακητα) - Guileless, Gracious

Euskopos(Ευσκοπος) - Keen Sighted, Watchful

Eriounês(Εριουνης) - Luck Bringing, Ready-Helper

Kydimos(Κυδιμος) - Glorious

Erikydês(Ερικυδης) - Famous, Glorious, Splendid

Aglaos(Αγλαος) - Splendid, Bright, Glorious

Kratus(Κρατυς) - Strong, Mighty

Krateros(Κρατερος) - Strong, Mighty

[apollophanes]

Like Kore, the soul descends into genesis, like Dionysus she is scattered by generation, like Prometheus and the Titans she is chained to the body. She frees herself by acquiring the strength of Hercules, gathers herself together through the help of Apollo and of Athena the Savior, i.e. by truly purifying philosophy, and she elevates herself to the causes of her being with Demeter.

- Damascius’ Commentary on Plato’s Phaedo I

[apollophanes]

I once tried to draw a representation of how I personally view different deities related to time:

Khronos: Linear time

Kairos: Opportune time

Kronos: Cyclic time

Aion: Eternity

[apollophanes]

Lately I've been trying to learn more about the aspects of Apollo that are not often discussed

I see so many seeing Him as only being associated with music and harmony and peace and light

But He is truly much more

Apollo is the light that drives out the darkness

His arrows are sharp and fierce, piercing the hearts of the wicked

He is the brilliant flame that burns evil down to ash

He is more than just gentle light and music and art

He is Alexikakos, the destroyer of evil

He is the Slayer of Python

Praise be to the Lord whose light pierces the darkness, like arrows flying through the air 🙏