The Return of the Hellenes
Series: Worlds of Difference
From: Homelands Productions
Length: 00:06:18
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Piece Description
More than 95% of all Greeks are Greek Orthodox. But in the last few years there's been a revival of interest in the pre-Christian past. For some, that means taking another look at ancient Greek ideals like freedom, reason and democratic debate. For others, it means worshiping the ancient gods. All say their eyes are on the future. Jon Miller attends their annual convergence on Mount Olympus.
Broadcast History
Aired 08/16/04 on NPR's Day To Day.
Transcript
Return to the Hellenes
Jon Miller
INTRO: In Greece, nationality and religion have been virtually inseparable since the 4th century, when Emperor Constantine declared Orthodox Christianity the official religion. Today, Orthodox priests are state employees, and the church is widely seen as the guardian of Greek national identity. But some Greeks are challenging that. Among them is a small but growing number of people who call themselves "Hellenes" -- intellectual and spiritual heirs not to the Christian tradition but to the Greek civilization of antiquity. Producer Jon Miller went to meet them.
MILLER: For believers in the 12 gods, the biggest event of the year takes place on Mt Olympus, 6 hours' drive north of Athens. This year about 700 people have come to camp out on a sloping meadow, surrounded by tall cedars. There's a taverna on the grounds, like a rustic outdoor pub....
Read the full transcript
Timing and Cues
INTRO:.
In Greece, nationality and religion have been virtually inseparable since the 4th century, when Emperor Constantine declared Orthodox Christianity the official state religion. Today, Orthodox priests are government employees, and the church is widely seen as the guardian of Greek national identity. But some Greeks are challenging that notion. Among them is a small number of people who call themselves "Hellenes" -- intellectual and spiritual heirs not to the Christian tradition but to the Greek civilization of antiquity. Producer Jon Miller went to meet them.
OUTRO: That piece was produced by Jon Miller of Homelands Productions. It's part of Worlds of Difference, a series on global cultural change.
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