An Interview with
The Supreme Council Of Ethnikoi Hellenes

by Lesley Madytinou

 

There are very few pre-Christian Polytheistic religions that have left a wealthier legacy than the one from fair Hellas. The brilliance of ancient Hellenic culture has established the very foundation of the modern western mind. We have much to thank them for. Yet sadly, for this same reason, the Ethnic Hellenic religion has also been more viciously suppressed than others.

The proper custody and preservation of the jewels of the past has become pivotal in the fight for religious freedom, national recognition and social tolerance for the Ethnikoi Hellenes. They are dedicated to reclaiming the religion, traditions and ancestral culture from the clutches of foreign propaganda, secular beliefs, eclectic literature, conventional archaeology/history and the oppression metered out by the Greek Orthodox Church through their massive influence upon national and local authorities.

At the front line of the battle is the Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes (YSEE - Ypato Symboulio Ellinon Ethnikon). The YSEE is a legal non-profit umbrella organisation situated in Hellas with chapters in Australia and Canada that aim to protect and restore the ancient Hellenic religion, traditions and way of life in Modern Greek society. In service to this goal, the YSEE also offer legal, technical and when possible, economic assistance to encourage the development of individual groups across Hellas and wherever in the world Ethnikoi Hellenes may dwell.

Their task is not an easy one and Penton is honoured in publishing this interview with Pandion on behalf of the YSEE. Pandion is one of the three Commissioners of the Council responsible for the operating functions of the organisation.

Tell us a little bit about your organisation.

The “Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes (YSEE) was founded in June 1997 with it's aim being to defend and restore the Ethnic, Polytheistic, Hellenic Tradition, Religion and Way in contemporary Greek society, which is heavily dominated by the Christian Orthodox Church and the dark Byzantine ethos. The YSEE is an umbrella organization comprised of individuals, Hellenic groups and publishers of Hellenic journals. All members, groups and publications preserve their autonomy within the umbrella organisation. Members pay an annual fee, thus creating a fund for protests, rituals and future plans, including one or more public altars and temples, as well as a polytheistic Library.

To date, the YSEE has sent 200 letters in protest to the Press and the Authorities, and have organised many public rituals in ancestral holy sites throughout Greece, despite the intolerance of the Church. The YSEE is also the first organisation to gain state permission to perform ritual celebrations in archaeological sites.

What type of people and groups belong to the YSEE?

Mainly Ethnikoi Hellenes but also agnostic Hellenes with love for our tradition, as well as various groups that share our main goal, namely: the restoration and preservation of the authentic Hellenic tradition. Although our members may come from different backgrounds there is a strong majority of people having higher and the highest levels of education. At this point this is logical as a person has to do private research and study in order to reach some conclusions concerning the religion and the worldview that are not in agreement with the general contemporary raw models being taught at present within society. Certain bravery is also required for someone that breaks the spiritual ties enforced on them and returns to his/her natural tradition that is being treated with hostility from various forces. Other than that I would say that all people sharing our love for the Hellenic tradition and accepting our basic views can be found in YSEE.

Are all Ethnic Hellenes members of your organisation or are there others who operate independently and what is your relationship with them?

The YSEE might be the principal organisation of Hellenes Ethnikoi in Greece but, of course, it is not the only organisation operating in this country and we wouldn’t want it to be any different as plurality is a sure sign of a living ideology. There are several other smaller groups and at least one or two more with significant presence. There are also a lot of Hellenes Ethnikoi who are not members of any groups as they choose an individual path and don’t want to be involved with the necessary politics needed in order to achieve recognition. YSEE started as a co-operation between the existing groups back in 1996 and still welcomes and assists in the creation of more groups. Our aim is to act as an umbrella organisation to help other fellow Hellenes to start their own local group. We strongly suggest that Hellenism is a collective union of separate entities as classical Hellenism was the outcome of the separate city-states.

So the YSEE co-ordinates, helps various smaller groups or individuals and cooperates with any other group making significant efforts. But still there are cases of so-called Pagan groups that distort the fundamental principles of our culture or who through their actions undermine our goals of the recognition of our religion and the protection of our human rights. In these cases it is made very clear from the beginning that we don’t want anything to do with them and consider them durian (Trojan) horses within our struggles.

Does the YSEE welcome Hellenistic groups and individuals from non-Hellenic backgrounds?

Of course! We welcome any individual or group of quality that wants to follow the Hellenic path and we have supporting members of non-Greek origin. We also have ties with other similar organisations in other, mainly European, countries that either show an interest in the Hellenic tradition or have common goals as we do for their own native ethnic religion and tradition.

YSEE is also a founding member of the 'World Congress of Ethnic Religions', an organisation consisting of ethnic religions, situated mainly within Europe. Certain of these ethnic religions have an established legal status within their own countries.

What are the central aims of the YSEE?

According to its regulations, "YSEE strives by all legal means available to it to familiarize the Hellenic people with the need to respect, preserve, and protect, both morally and literally, their heritage. To facilitate the restoration and elevate our monuments, symbols, ideals and living forms of our Traditions to their rightful place. Whilst taking into account the universal significance, cultural and philosophical value of Ethnic Hellenic religion, fine arts, customs, values, language, mythology, symbolism, literature etc.".

What is the greatest priority for the YSEE currently?

The one continuous goal is the state recognition of the native Hellenic tradition, human rights and issues having to do with the relationship to the State as described in our memorandum to the Greek state. Our other goal, that marks our 10th anniversary, is the construction of the first Hellenic temple in modern times.

What tactics and strategies do the YSEE use to achieve the group's aims?

We try to have an active presence in a wide area of social and communal activities. To this purpose our tactics vary from the organisation of Hellenic celebrations to political activism. Although the core foundation of our organisation is religious, we, like our ancestors before us, do not separate religion from the other behavioural aspects of humanity. All aspects; religion, science, philosophy and the arts are involved in presenting the big picture of the Hellenic worldview. And it is this exact worldview that we are struggling to preserve and to enable its resurfacing within the contemporary world.

What is the greatest obstacle facing the YSEE?

The semi-theocratic way in which the state operates in certain areas due to the influence of the orthodox church.

What has been your greatest disappointment as an organisation?

Firstly, the official reply of the state to our memorandum requesting recognition, which showed once more that we still have a long way as a country ahead of us to resolve the ongoing discrimination within religion. Secondly, the sudden rise of certain and varied propagandistic actions that we see from people and groups that operate in the proximity of the so-called Hellenistic movement that act as disorientating elements within the struggle as a whole.

What has been your greatest success as an organisation?

I believe this to be the visible change in the general public view of the way that the Hellenic movement is regarded and also the successful attempts to break certain stereotypes that were cunningly created concerning the traditional religions during the 16 centuries of spiritual oppression.

What has been the reaction of the Government, the Greek Orthodox Church and the general public towards the YSEE?

The state has reacted with a conspiracy of silence while the church has shown both fear and hostility. The reception from the general public has been far more positive. They have expressed an interest and shown a growing acceptance for our presence.

From your website, I can see that members of your organisation have received threats. Is this an ongoing form of intimidation? How does it affect your membership? Have you lost members because of the personal danger involved in your organisation's aims?

In the past there were cases of verbal and physical threats to well known Hellenes Ethnikoi. There was even a case where a bookstore was burnt. These phenomena have, over a period of time diminished as our numbers grew but still there are certain problems especially in areas outside the main metropolitan centres of Greece like Athens, Thessaloniki etc. In the small villages and remote areas, the local societies are, to a great extent, being manipulated by orthodox rule. There is a fear of social exclusion for any Greek Pagan that comes out in the open and expresses his/hers opinions. Due to these conditions, the YSEE promotes and helps in the creation of local groups. The hopeful thing is that these unfortunate events are becoming less and less but they will not be totally eradicated until the Hellenic religion receives State recognition and protection and until equal religious rights are legally established.

What ancient works were most influential in the reconstruction of YSEE public rituals or does this differ from group to group?

This is a very difficult question to reply to with a simple list. As you might know, Greeks are not very well known for their “theological” work although traces of the religious beliefs and theology are to be found in almost all works including places where most people would never think to look; like the comedies of Aristophanes. If we also take into account all the works lost after the Christian invasion there are only a few works that have a general theological character and usually those are the polemics of late antiquity. Works such as Salustius 'Of the Gods and Cosmos', the works of Plato, Plutarch and the Neo-Platonist are very important for theoretical knowledge of our religion. Of the same importance are the archaeological and historical findings that add to our knowledge. At this point we would of course have to mention the all too many surviving folk traditions within contemporary customs that can still be found in Greece to this day.

Please can you explain a little about ritual structure? What different functions exist within the ritual structure for participants and are those permanently appointed positions or are they rotating functions within any particular group?

As we often like to say in Hellenic religion; the priest acts as a representative of the community towards the Gods and not as a representative of God towards the community like it happens in monotheistic or mystical cults. It is obvious, having this understanding as a starting point that anyone can act as a priest although, of course, certain rules still apply. Generally we could say that any member of the community that shows good character, has a good knowledge of rituals etc, and is not burdened with any miasma can act as priest or priestess. So it is common in our rituals to have different people performing the rites. Another common thing that can be observed is that certain people have a special connection to a specific deity; they understand this deity better than the others or are closer to it, so it is natural that they are involved more in celebrations for this deity.

What are the ritual tools used and what is their symbolic significance?

I can’t say there are specific ritual tools – at least not as Wiccans or neo-Pagans with their athames, etc, would put it – but, of course, various objects are used in worship, most of them having a practical use. We have the tripods for burning incense and offerings, the various containers, the different vessels for liquids etc. The other type of objects used would be varied items depending on the celebration that act as symbolism for a specific deity. For example, a mask or a phallus may be used at certain celebrations for Dionysos.

For those interested in worshipping the Hellenic Gods in the ancient manner, what advice would the YSEE as organisation have to offer?

The first and most important advice we can give is to approach the Divine with a clear heart, good intentions and a mind free from any false ideas that you might have from childhood, if this is possible. All the rest will come. Of course we are not talking about improvisation so a significant knowledge of history, philosophy and similar humanistic sciences would be required if someone tries to find the path on their own. I must assure you though that should you begin your journey, at the end you will be a more complete person.

Find out more about
The Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes -
Ypato Symboulio Ellinon Ethnikon (YSEE)