MYTHOLOGY, IDOLATRY, PAGANISM,
POLYTHEISM
All elements that make the fantastic
Greek History Immortal
PART 1
An introduction
By: Evi Martyn
In the following article Ms. Suzan De Witt, one of our writers, will expound on Mythology, Idolatry, Paganism and
Polytheism in the Greek Empire prior to Christ and the
Christian Religion.
I would like to make a reference to the incredible but true fact history has recorded in regards to the turning point, and pivotal moment of Greek Polytheism and their introduction to
Christianity.
Here it is: When St. Paul, on his way to Rome to preach Christianity, stopped in Athens and visited the Parthenon, he was confronted by all the statues representative of the twelve Gods of Olympus.
As he was observing all the various names of the Gods he came across a statue that had no name on it, instead of a name he read, "To The Unknown God."
The Greeks, in their infinite wisdom, in order not to offend a missed God, created a special alter dedicated to the "Unknown God."
To that Paul replied: "This is the God I have come to talk to you about," and the rest was history.
What wisdom, what imagination and foresight those amazing people had!!
Evi Martyn
Hellenic Culture Advocate
PAGANISM, IDOLATRY, POLYTHEISM:
By: Suzan De Witt
Greece was a pagan Empire prior to Christ. The Golden Age of Greece 331 B.C. to 146 B.C. was an intense period of paganism and idolatry throughout the world. Many fairy tales and horoscopes have made light of those idols in today's society, but to ancient Greece, idolatry was a serious matter.
Greeks had faith in these symbols and images and prayed to them believing in their powers. We must keep in mind that they had no benefit of God or Christianity, but instinctively felt the need and desire to have "God" in their lives.
Mythology
The mythology of ancient Greece has survived in the form of fairy tales and children's stories. Mythology also figures prominently in astrology.
Investigating the basis for these mythological figures from the past leaves one with a haunting suspicion that perhaps these mythological creatures were in fact real???
The mythological Gods were the immortals of the ancient Greek pantheon (temple of all Gods). They are divided into roughly eight classifications that represented certain elements and energies such as:
a) Protogenoi class
b) Daimones class
c) Theoi class
d) Daimones class 2
e) 12 Olympian Gods
f) Constellation group
g) Monsters, beasts, giants
h) Heroi Hemi Theoi
Of the eight classifications of mythological Gods the 12 Olympian Gods were the prinicipal deities of the Greek Pantheon.
To be continued soon
In PART 2, of this article, we will discuss the 12 Olympian Gods.
By: Suzan De Witt
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