Greek Heroes and Heroines our Temple Recognizes and Honors

 
Heroes and Heroines are those who once lived among mortals and are admired and revered for their great Heroic deeds and accomplishments, as well as their wisdom, strength and courage. Heroes and Heroines exist on a level between Gods and mortals, and can also be called on individually to help the petitioner. In all truth, anyone, even today, can achieve Hero status through remarkable deeds and make their way into the religious practices of their families or local communities. In fact, in ancient times, it didn't always take great accomplishments to become a Hero either. An extraordinary death could elevate someone to Hero status.

Achilles
    Achilles was the legendary best warrior of the Greeks in the fight against the Asia Minor City of Troy and the slayer of the mighty Hector, Prince of Troy and the commander of the Trojan forces. Achilles can be prayed to for strength, courage and victory in one's battles.

Alexander the Great
     The greatest conqueror in the history of the world. Alexander of Macedon led the ancient Greek people to defeat and destroy the mighty Persian Empire through his sheer brilliance and favor of the Gods. He is known as the conqueror of the known world. When His untimely death came at only the age of 32, His empire stretched 3,000 miles with the regions of modern day Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Northern India.

Antigone
   The Theban Heroine Antigone. She was the daughter of the Hero Oedipus of Thebes. Being truly Heroic, She stood by and helped Her father in His worst state and until the end of His days. How many people today have that kind of honor, and don't abandon their parents at nursing homes? Antigone also had two brothers who died in The War of the Seven, whose burials were forbidden by the tyrant Creon. She defied his orders, seeking to give Her brothers an honorable rest. After burying Her brother Polyneices in a tomb, he had Her buried alive with him as punishment. She died either through starvation, asphyxiation, or suicide to save herself the agony of an inevitable and excruciating death, although it's uncertain how She would have found a way to kill Herself in an ancient tomb after having been seized and disarmed. Antigone is a Heroine who teaches us the value of love and honor toward our families and those closest to us, and She can be prayed to for these things as well as for care and protection of the elderly and disabled. 

Atalante
  Atalante (Atalanta in Latin), was an Arkadian Huntress abandoned by Her father in the wilderness at birth, being left there to die. She was found and saved by Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt and the wild. Upon reaching adulthood, She at first resented the advances of men and remained a virgin, because the man who was supposed to have loved Her the most threw Her away. However, She later entered a foot-racing contest against potential suitors, vowing to marry whoever could beat Her. All failed but one, and to him She married. Atalante can be prayed to for protection of infants and children and of nature itself.

Bellerophon
    Bellerophon was the Hero of Corinth who slayed the infamous Chimera, a monstrous creature that was half lion, goat and snake. On the back of winged Pegasos, He placed a clump of lead on the end of His spear and ran it down the throat of the fire-breathing monster. It melted and killed the beast. Bellerophon was given the task unjustly, having been falsely accused of rape and sent to do battle with the monster as a punishment, on the assumption that He would be killed. He was finally exonerated afterward. Bellerophon is the Patron of men who are falsely accused of sexual misconduct, and He can be prayed to for help against overwhelming challenges and enemies. His alleged tomb still stands in Asia Minor today (modern Turkey).

Cadmus (Kadmos)
   King and Founder of the Greek City of Thebes. Throughout His wanderings to find His sister Europa who had allegedly been taken away by Zeus, He came to be a destroyer of monsters and a founder of great cities. In the end, The Oracle of Delphi instructed Him to abandon all searches for Europa, and to instead build the great city of Thebes, which still stands today in Greece. Kadmos can be prayed to for victory in battle, discoveries, and protection against hostility.  

Danae
   Danae was the Princess of Argos and Mother of the Hero Perseus. Her father, however, was afraid that She would have a son who would threaten his life. So when She had Perseus, he locked them in a container and threw it into the sea. However, the Gods carried it safely to land. Danae is the Patroness of those unjustly imprisoned, and She can be prayed to as a protector of children and mothers.

Deucalion
    From the ill-fated Age of Bronze, Deucalion saw the end of an entire human race because of their barbarity and crimes against humanity. When Lycaon of Arkadia sacrificed a human child to Zeus, the King of the Gods became so outraged at the sickness that He sent a flood to wipe out the Age. Deucalion, a very upright and noble man, and His wife, were the only ones who survived the destruction by constructing a chest to keep them above the flood waters. Once the raging waters had receded, His vessel found itself on top of Mount Parnassus. There, He and His wife re-established the worship of Themis, the Titan Goddess of Divine Law, hoping in supplication that humanity resurface from this horrific downfall. Deucalion can be prayed to for the preservation and rescue of humanity, piety, justice, righteousness, and survival ingenuity in the face of disaster.

Emperor Julian
   Known as the "Last Pagan Emperor of Rome," Julian tried to restore the worship of the Greek Gods once the take over of Christianity had been fully implemented. Although he was not successful in overcoming Christianity and its many hostilities of the time, He is honored by our Temple, and many Hellenists, as a Hero for His bravery, valor and dedication in a very dangerous time to have it for the cause which He held. Emperor Julian can be prayed to for perseverance against religious persecution, and for the return of things wrongly taken.

Herakles
   Herakles is most famously known for the completion of the Twelve Labors, which were part of His efforts at redemption, and His achievement of Godhood. He is also considered to be an Averter of Evil, a protector of man, and a God of Heroes. He can be prayed to for strength, courage and victory in battles and missions.

Hypatia of Alexandria
   Hypatia of Alexandria was one of the most famous Hellenistic women of the West, known for Her teachings in Platonic philosophy, Greek thought and religion. However, She existed during the time when the emerging Christian religion was doing whatever it could to take over. In 415CE, She was attacked by a Christian mob and brutally murdered through beating and flaying, Her remains being burned. Hypatia can be prayed to for wisdom, strength, courage, dedication, and protection against religious radicalism.

Jason
   Jason is most famous for being the leader of the Argonauts, obtaining the Golden Fleece, and reclaiming His rightful throne that had previously been stolen. Jason can be prayed to for help and success in missions and endeavors and protection of properties and rightful belongings and honors. 

Oedipus
   Oedipus of Thebes was the Hero who outsmarted the infamous Sphinx by deciphering her riddle, thus liberating the people from her clutches. Because of His ill-temper and hastiness, He killed His father in a fit of anger without realizing who he was, and later married the former queen of the deceased monarch, not realizing also that it was His own mother, a union which ultimately brought His demise. His Heroism and also His tragedy are lessons for us all. Oedipus can be prayed to for wit, protection against anger and hastiness, and against perverted sexuality.

Odysseus
   Odysseus is the main character in Homer's famous work The Odyssey. He was the King of Ithaca and one of the Heroes of the Trojan War who came up with the idea for the Trojan Horse, which enabled the Greeks to win the war. After, He went through numerous obstacles, monsters, traps, and challenges trying to find His way back home, eventually making it after many years. Odysseus can be prayed to for ingenuity, determination, and freedom.

Perseus
   Perseus is the legendary slayer of Medusa. With His gifts from the Gods, He set out to kill the monster who could turn anything into stone with her dreadful eyes. Overcoming her, He decapitated her by the head. Perseus can be prayed to for divine favor, strength and courage.

Theseus
   Theseus of Troezen and later King of Athens was the Hero who liberated Greek lands of criminals and faced off with King Minos of Crete by slaying the infamous Minotaur. Theseus later united the lands of Attica into the Athenian State and established its democracy (which has since been the inspiration for free governments around the world) and notable religious festivals. Theseus can be prayed to for protection against crime, criminals and hostile beings, and for courage, faith, fortitude, dedication, victory in battle, unity, and piety.

Our Temple's Hero Calendar

February 5th, Feast of Emperor Julian.
February 12th, Day of Herakles.
February 18th, Feast of Deucalion.
March 10th, Feast of Jason.
April 15th, Feast of Achilles.
June 18th, Feast of Odysseus.
June 19th, Feast of Oedipus and Antigone.
June 20th, Festival of Bellerophon.
September 20th, Festival of Atalante.
October 16th, Festival of Kadmos.
October 21st, Feast of Theseus.
December 10th, Festival of Orpheus.