About Worship in Hellenismos
And this Temple 

This temple's worship services are performed in the context of Hellenismos. This means that all of the rituals, and festivals performed here are based on the religious practices of the ancient Greeks, themselves.

Hellenismos values above all Xenia, or guest-friendship. This term not only refects the relationship we have with our fellow brothers and sisters, kith and kin, but also the relationship we have with our Gods. When we invite the Gods into the holy space we treat them with as much honor as They treat us. Our rituals and ceremonies are designed to reflect this relationship, as the Gods are offered food and drink, and are invited to join us in our feasting and merriment.

Here are some other terms which might help new-commers understand more about Hellenismos and its practices:

Theoi: (pronounced thay-oy) refers to all the Gods in the Greek pantheon. In Hellenismos, the Gods are typically believed to be independent, spiritual beings who do Their part in helping the universe continue to function properly. They are lead by the God Zeus, who is Their King. The Gods are seperated into three categories: The Olympians (or heavenly Gods), The Earth Gods, and the Khthonc Gods (Gods of the Underworld). There is also a group of Gods known as the primordial Gods, who are the forces which make this universe function, or the conscious energy within a planet, star, etc. These include Helios (God of the Sun), Selene (Goddess of the Moon), and Gaia (Goddess of the Earth). You can learn more about the Greek Gods and divinities on www.theoi.com

Daimon: (Day-mon) The word Daimon is the Greek word for spirit. Spirits can be good or bad, and can guard various spaces and objects. It is said that each soul is connected to a guardian Daimon (the Agathos Daimon) who follows and protects them throughout life. The daimons are considered Khthonic entities.

Sacrifice: Rituals are structured primarily around the act of giving a gift to the Gods. This is refered to as sacrifice. There are three types of sacrifices: the thusia, or animal/meat sacrifice; libations, or drink/liquid sacrifice; and votive offerings, such as incense, candles and anything else which can be offered to a God during ritual. In modern times, the killing of an actual animal during ritual is very rare, as many of us are no longer farmers and get our meat at the produce center of the market. Therefore, animal sacrifice has grown more to mean the giving of meat to a God, rather than the actual slaughter of an animal at Their altar.

Altar: Altars in Hellenismos are somewhat different than in other faiths. It is loosly defined as a place where sacrifices are consecrated. In this temple, there is a primary altar and then a shrine to the God who is to receive the sacrifices and devotional observances. A Hellenic altar usually consists of an offering bowl in which offerings can be placed, a bowl of barley for the prayers and first offerings, a candle or some source of fire, and perhaps a censor. Altars can also simply consist of a single cast-iron cauldron in which rubbing alcohol and barley is placed to burn. Offerings can either be tossed into this fire or held over it before being placed in front of the image of the God receiving the offering.

Shrine: A shrine is basically the sacred space where icons or images of the Gods are kept--as the temples of ancient times were used. Usually a shrine is dedicated to one God, but can be dedicated to more if desired. Shrines can sometimes double as altars if space is not available, and typically consist of an icon. People can place trinkets which are appropriate to the God to whom the shrine is dedicated. Also, offerings which are not burned are placed upon this sacred space so that the Gods can partake of them.

Festival: A festival is a special day selected for the worship of one or more Gods. During a festival, there is a procession, which ends at the sacred space, where a sacrifice is performed. Following the sacrifice, there is usually a meal, in which the Gods who recieved the sacrifice are welcomed to attend. After the meal, activities such as games, craft-making, movie watching, and rites specific to the festival are performed. The idea is that this day is set aside specifically for communion between the Gods and the participants and that no matter what the activities, this mindset must be maintained.

Khernips: In Hellenismos, it is believed to be important that one be free of impurity (also known as  miasma) before comming into contact with the Gods. Khernips refers to the water we use for this purpose--to purify ourselves and our offerings before they are given to the Gods in ritual. Khernips is either water derived from a spring or from the ocean (with no added chemicals); or it can be  made from lighting a match from the sacred hearth-fire and plunging it into a bowl of water. The water is thus cleansed by fire. To purify ones-self with khernips, one washes their hands and face with this water.

Xenia (Guest-Friendship): Xenia is translated roughly to mean, host, guest, stranger, or hostpitality. It refers to the particular obligations of the host and guest relationship. Hosts are held to the responsibility of making the guest as comfortable as possible. The guest is responsible for allowing the host to fulfill his/her responsibility without causing harm to the host or guest. This is the relationship Hellenists have between each-other and also with the Gods. 

Please feel free to view this temple's ritual structure on the ritual page.