Meet the Greeks who find their spiritual home in Mount Olympus

FP Staff • July 12, 2017, 19:32:00 IST

Devotees of ancient Greece’s religion and culture gather each July by Mount Olympus to hold a series of events, ceremonies and seminars.

Devotees of ancient Greece’s religion and culture gather each July by Mount Olympus to hold a series of events, ceremonies and seminars. AP

Several devotees come to worship, revel in rituals and take part in a range of events by the mythic mountain, the country’s highest peak at just under 3,000 meters (9,600 feet.) AP

Ancient Greece’s epic myths of creation and celestial power are R-rated, supernatural tales of heroism, violence, lust, jealousy, monsters, and magic. AP

Orthodox Christianity has been the dominant religion in Greece for centuries, but reminders of the country’s ancient past are everywhere, from street names and coins to the temples and statues that survived millennia. AP

Ancient Greece’s pantheistic religion is not officially recognised by the state, and its few thousand adherents have created social organisations to organise their event, most met with muted disapproval by the church. AP

Residents of the villages near Olympus say they have become accustomed to these annual visitors. AP

The events are held at villages or camps at the foot of the mountain. AP

The annual run from the archaeological site of Dion sees runners dress as ancient warriors, wearing costumes once on sale as novelty items to tourists and now held together with staples and duct tape. AP

The yearly pilgrimage, started in 1996, draws a diverse following, including history enthusiasts, marathon runners, fantasy gamers, nationalists and young people seeking a taste of counterculture. AP