# Newly built temple for the worship of the Olympian Gods in Greece **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 28, 2025, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594 "2025-04-28T09:52:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/1 "2025-04-28T09:52:37Z")
A group in Greece has built a new temple for the worship of the Olympian Gods. Finished last March, it has been explicitly built to celebrate rites according to the Ancient Greek religion. [https://greekreporter.com/2025/03/10/first-ancient-greek-temple-after-1700-years-opens-arcadia/](https://greekreporter.com/2025/03/10/first-ancient-greek-temple-after-1700-years-opens-arcadia/) The temple is facing administrative barriers, and the authorities of the Greek Orthodox Church appear to be mightily pissed off and seem to be doing their level best to have the place closed. To what extent this is serious and to what extent this is the equivalent of elaborate LARP (or a tourist trap), I do not know. But I found the news interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/2 "2025-04-28T11:36:01Z")
Very interesting news. And it’s not like its in downtown Athens or anything. It’s small and hasn’t attracted huge crowds yet. Now it might! I wonder who the _special team of Authorities_ were? The article says they came by to seal up the temple. I need to keep an eye on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/3 "2025-04-28T11:39:05Z")
> [@JoseB](#): > > A group in Greece has built a new temple for the worship of the Olympian Gods. > [@JoseB](#): > > The temple is facing administrative barriers, and the authorities of the Greek Orthodox Church appear to be mightily pissed off and seem to be doing their level best to have the place closed. I spoke to Zeus personally, and he is quite pleased with the new temple. They’d better not piss him off. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/4 "2025-04-28T14:17:57Z")
I have to ask: why not just use one of the old ones? It’s not like there’s a shortage. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/5 "2025-04-28T16:34:30Z")
Architecturally, what is going on with the roof (in the website photos)? It looks open, but like it is intended as supports for solar panels rather than an actual covered roof. Has the solar panel portion not completed? What would they need that much wattage for inside anyway? Though being for Zeus, perhaps show faith by putting your hands on the high-voltage zappy terminals? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/6 "2025-04-28T16:39:41Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > Architecturally, what is going on with the roof (in the website photos)? It looks open, but like it is intended as supports for solar panels rather than an actual covered roof. Isn’t that to allow natural light in? I would love to visit this next time I’m in Greece. I wonder if it is intended as an actual temple or more of a learning experience for tourists in the style of Colonial Williamsburg. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/7 "2025-04-28T16:44:25Z")
Does Jeff Goldblum know about this? [![](https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/KAOS_Zeus_NextOnNetflix.jpg?w=1024) ](https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/KAOS_Zeus_NextOnNetflix.jpg?w=1024) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/8 "2025-04-28T17:42:41Z")
> [@JoseB](#): > > Finished last March, it has been explicitly built to celebrate rites according to the Ancient Greek religion. Does it mention what particular set of rites will be followed, and which gods will be represented? I’m not sure a singular temple for all the gods is “kosher” (so to speak). ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/9 "2025-04-28T18:31:31Z")
According to the linked article: “ The temple is dedicated to Zeus, Dyonisus, and Pan, while a statue of the latter is housed inside. The rituals that took place during the inauguration were dedicated to these gods.” ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/10 "2025-04-28T18:36:16Z")
> [@JoseB](#): > > To what extent this is serious and to what extent this is the equivalent of elaborate LARP (or a tourist trap), I do not know. I’ve experienced this visiting Salem, Massachusetts. The local guides have to walk a fine line between _“These women were totally innocent because there’s no such thing as witches”_ and _“I’d like to welcome all of the practicing witches who are visiting us today.”_ ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/11 "2025-04-28T18:52:45Z")
I can’t imagine Zeus being super stoked. I mean, true, it’s the first brown nosing he’s seen in a millennia on two, but come on it’s barely big enough to house a Dunkin Donuts franchise. Seems definitely nymph grade to me, not up to snuff for a full Olympian pantheon. [![](https://greekreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ancient-greek-temple-credit-archegonos-ellinismos-facebook.jpg.webp) ](https://greekreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ancient-greek-temple-credit-archegonos-ellinismos-facebook.jpg.webp) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/12 "2025-04-28T19:08:26Z")
According to this website each temple was made for, _and dedicated to_, a specific deity, where they may be prayed to and/or called upon individually. They certainly didn’t “timeshare” their temples. [The Temples of the Gods: A Sacred Map of Ancient Greece - Greek Mythology](https://greek.mythologyworldwide.com/the-temples-of-the-gods-a-sacred-map-of-ancient-greece/) ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/13 "2025-04-28T19:17:48Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I have to ask: why not just use one of the old ones? It’s not like there’s a shortage. I would guess there aren’t very many ancient temples that are privately owned and currently for sale. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/14 "2025-04-28T19:37:00Z")
I just finished the article. My first thought- Wow! That is a tiny temple for just one deity- and it is dedicated to three? My honest conclusion is that is a tourist trap meant to attract curious tourists but mostly neo pagans. If you worship the gods of Olympus and want to be married in a restored temple, this is your best bet. The Olympians were very jealous and petty. OTTOMH Theseus son loved hunting and spent all his time hunting and worshiping Artemis, godess of the hunt. He was very attractive and Aphrodite was jealous because he didn’t spend any time worshipping her. She starts things in motion. IIRC the end is Theseus killing his son. Builiding a temple to Zeus makes sense. Did the Greeks build temples to Dionysius or Pan? Dionysius was a rather wild and uncontrolled guy. OTTOMH His female followers are roaming the woods praising him while very drunk. A local governor learns his mother is in the group, He disguises himself as a woman to infltrate. He is discovered. In a frenzy one of the women, possibly his mother, literally rips his head off. Pan was partly a god of untamed wilderness. I would think a proper setting for his worship would be a statue set in the woods somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/15 "2025-04-28T21:44:14Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Pan was partly a god of untamed wilderness. I would think a proper setting for his worship would be a statue set in the woods somewhere. Pan was usually worshipped in caves, but there were a few temples built for him. (Usually dug into a hillside with an artificial “cave”.) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/16 "2025-04-28T21:49:11Z")
Telling Zeus that he will have to be worshiped at the same time and place as the other gods or wait his turn from 3 to 7 pm on Tuesday and Thursday is a great way to get a lightning show going. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/17 "2025-04-28T21:58:33Z")
Thanks. I posted a link to the article on Facebook with my commentary. Apparently there were temples to Dionysius. The one picture I saw had the bases of some colums, a floor and not much else remaining. This was at Naxos. If anybody has any details. I would really like to hear them. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/18 "2025-04-28T22:00:24Z")
I am hoping that they will rebuild the temple of Aphrodite at Corinth. famous in Antiquity for its brothel ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2025, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/19 "2025-04-29T04:45:32Z")
> [@JoseB](#): > > “ The temple is dedicated to Zeus, Dyonisus, and Pan, while a statue of the latter is housed inside. The rituals that took place during the inauguration were dedicated to these gods.” Mostly Joking, but I choose to read that as: “The temple is dedicated to ~~Zeus~~ Sex God, ~~Dyonisus~~ Drugs/Booze God, and ~~Pan~~ Rock 'n Roll God, while a statue of the latter is housed inside. Which ties into what DocCathode and others have said: > [@DocCathode](#): > > My honest conclusion is that is a tourist trap meant to attract curious tourists but mostly neo pagans. A conclusion which I agree with. And yes, of course, I’m making wildly atypical characterizations of Zeus and Pan, but playing up to how all three gods are often seen in modern interpretations to make the joke, which I think is part of the _planning_ for the creators. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2025, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594/20 "2025-04-29T04:53:39Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > Seems definitely nymph grade to me, not up to snuff for a full Olympian pantheon. They just got the units wrong, like when they rebuilt Stonehenge: [![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPMF9qf-plFRbkwN3rfdiSYDTf0p_t9orYi13qRMZfvLj5OIgBU8DoWI_-c9dZr0k2CXxWH29DcJ3i3C7bd01kJaTMs2a9qui_PDniKZib_ia9p1_yrmGhnbE-xRKXqUMuJ98Ur-Q5z8/s1600/spinal_tap_stonehenge.jpg) ](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPMF9qf-plFRbkwN3rfdiSYDTf0p_t9orYi13qRMZfvLj5OIgBU8DoWI_-c9dZr0k2CXxWH29DcJ3i3C7bd01kJaTMs2a9qui_PDniKZib_ia9p1_yrmGhnbE-xRKXqUMuJ98Ur-Q5z8/s1600/spinal_tap_stonehenge.jpg) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newly-built-temple-for-the-worship-of-the-olympian-gods-in-greece/1017594.md?page=2)