Welcome!
Welcome to my temple dedicated to the God Zeus.
I created this temple as a part of my devotions to Zeus. Each God has epithets, or alternate names that They go by and I feel most connected to Zeus under this particular epithet.
As this temple develops, I shall be posting an events calendar, pictures of the temple, rituals which are performed with in its sacred walls, and essays on Hellenismos, the religion of the Gods as it is practiced today.
As more research comes my way, this site will change accordingly.
May the Gods bless you with a thousand blessings!
Homeric Hymn to Zeus
I shall sing of Zeus, the best and the greatest of Gods,
far-seeing, mighty, fulfiller of designs who confides
his tight-knit schemes to Themis as she sits, leaning upon Him.
Have mercy, far-seeing Kronides, Most glorious and great!
translated by Apostolos N. Athanassakis
Kyrene's Hymn to Zeus
Hail Zeus by Kyrene
Hail to the god who is the father of the Olympians
Hail to the god in whose honor the Olympic Games were held
Hail to the god married to the one goddess who was his equal
Hail to the god whose justice and honor are renown
I sing your praises, o dear Zeus.
Hail to the god who is mighty
Hail to the god who is good
Hail to the god who is thunder and lightning
Hail to the god who guides us to our destinies
I sing your praises, o dear Zeus.
Hail to the god who helps in all ways, big and small
Hail to the god who protects and comforts
Hail to the god who gives us knowledge of the future
Hail to the god who provides us with our past
I sing your praises, o dear Zeus.
Hail to the god, father of my patron deities
Hail to the god, leader of the gods
Hail to the god, ruler of the skies
Hail to the god, present in the oak and eagle
I praise you, O Zeus, you who does not forget his children and loves us all.
Hail to thee, Zeus, blessings and praise be upon you for all time.
Leave an offering...
If you would like to leave an offering hymn or prayer to Zeus, feel free to email it to me and I shall post it for you...for this temnos is for all who have reverence for the King of the Gods!
leave an offering
A note about the Rituals
All of the materials on this site will be dedicated to Zeus. The rituals are part of larger festivals. These festivals are include the sacrifice ritual listed below as well as various other devotional activities to Zeus.
My ritual structure is based on a traditional ancient Greek Sacrifice (thusia) ritual (below).
BASIC SACRIFICE RITUAL STRUCTURE
Preparations:
The basket of barley, jug of water, jug of wine/lemon juice, and the sacrifice are prepared to be brought to the altar during the procession. The procession begins and these things are carried to the altar and carried around it. Upon the altar sits the brazier on which offerings are to be placed and the Gods’ cup for libations.
Purification:
The worshipper washes his/her hands with water which is poured from a vessel over their hands and into a bowl. This water is then taken outside the ritual space as it is now impure. This water is also sprinkled over the offerings and sacrifice.
Preliminary offering of barley:
The worshiper takes a handful of barley and sprinkles it into the cauldron or brazier.
Hymnodia and Invocation:
The worshiper lifts his/her hands to the image of the God being sacrificed to and says a prayer, invocation and oath to the God. This is also a statement of why the worshiper has come to worship the God.
The Sacrifice:
The sacrifice is then placed on the altar. If it is to be a feast, then portions are taken from each course and placed on a plate for the God. This is consecrated and burned if it is food. If it is money, it is placed along side of the image of the God or simply on the altar.
The Preparations and Agon:
At this time, the sacral meal is prepared. While this is being done, a game is played. This can be card games, athletic games, computer games, etc. When the meal is prepared, the worshiper brings it to the altar again (if it had to be taken away).
The Sacral Feast:
Now, the worshiper eats the food which has been prepared. If the sacrifice was flowers, during the agon the flowers would have been arranged in a vase and now they would be placed next to the image of the God who is to receive them. If it is money, the money is placed within a bowl or jar where it will be kept safe until it can be used for the good of the temple and community.
The Libations:
Next, libations are given to the Gods in thanks. The first is given to Hestia, the second to the God who received the sacrifice, and the third goes to Hestia again. The Gods are thanked and the ritual has ended.
Sources:
Burkert, Walter. Greek Religion. translated by John Raffan. Harvard
University Press. Cambrige, MA 1985
Bremmer, Jan N. Greek Religion. Oxford University Press. 1994
