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Home > Reconstructionism > Greek/Hellenic > Kerux Index > Kerux #5 Search

The Kerux #5
1 Maimakterion 4/694 (29 October 2000)
edited by Drew Campbell

 

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THE KERUX #5

1 Maimakterion 4/694
29 October 2000

CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE

* Hellenic Heroes: The Emperor Julian
* From the Hearth: Favorite Fassolatha
* Craft Resources: _Ancient Greek Designs_
* Announcement: New Mailing List
* Poll Results: Magic
* New Poll: What We Call Ourselves
* Upcoming Events
* How to Contribute to the Kerux

*** HELLENIC HEROES: JULIAN THE FAITHKEEPER

Who was Julian, and why is a Roman emperor important to modern people who worship the gods of ancient Hellas?

Iulianus Flavius Claudius (b. 331 CE) was one of two sons born to Julius Constantius, the half-brother of Constantine I (known to Christian scholars as "the Great"). Most of Julian's family was killed by the reigning emperor, Constantius II, while he was still a child, but he and his brother were exiled to Cappodocia. Under the tutelage of Arian Christian clerics, Julian studied the Greek classics--as a cultured Roman of the Eastern Empire, Greek was his native language--and found in them a religion and way of life dear to his soul. In his later student years, Julian met some of the Neoplatonic philosophers, notably Maximus, who initiated him in the theurgical teachings of Iamblichus.

A pious and studious young man, Julian was perhaps perceived as little threat to his uncle the emperor. But in 355, he was summarily called to Milan, given the emperor's sister's hand in marriage, and raised to the position of Caesar of the West. He was soon off to the frontier to lead the emperor's army against the Alamanni and Franks. Despite his previously quiet life, Julian proved an able military leader. He was so popular with his troops that, in February 361, they mutinied against Constantius and crowned Julian Augustus. Only the death of Constantius prevented a civil war, and Julian returned to Constantinople as emperor.

He now made his religious beliefs public and began a program to encourage the rebuilding of temples, priesthoods, and the traditional cults. In a manner typical of his own religiously tolerant outlook, he even proposed to rebuild the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. He wrote a number of treatises on religious themes, including "Hymn to King Helios," "Hymn to the Mother of the Gods," "Letter to a Priest," and "Misopogon, or, Beard-Hater," a wry commentary on his unfashionable appearance and love of philosophy. Only fragments of his critique of Christianity and defense of traditional Hellenic religion, "Against the Galileans," remain. (N.B.: All of these works are available in the three-volume Loeb collection of Julian's works, translated by W. C. Wright.)

In March 363, Julian set out from Antioch to settle--once and for all he hoped--the long-standing Roman conflict with the Persians. But only a few months into the war, Julian was injured and died. He left no blood heirs, and despite his attempts to revitalize Hellenism (the term "Hellenismos" is the one he preferred when describing his religious culture), the emperors who followed turned to Christianity.

History has thus far been written by the victors: Julian has been known to generations of Christian scholars as "the Apostate." Today he is taking his place in the history of Hellenism as the first reconstructionist, and so among ourselves, we call him "the Faithkeeper" and do him honor as a hero. I suggest that November 6th by the Roman reckoning, the day he was raised to the purple and possibly his birthday as well, as an appropriate day to burn incense and pour libations to him and ask his protection for our study and organization-building efforts. May we fulfill his dreams of a flourishing Hellenic religious culture!

*** FROM THE HEARTH

As Zeus starts to storm this month, why not indulge in a little comfort food? Fassolatha, often called "the national soup of Greece," makes a warming and nourishing meal. Flavored with extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice, it is a reminder of the sun-drenched days of summer. Everyone has a favorite version; this is my family's, adapted from Diane Kochilas's recipe in _The Greek Vegetarian_.

Favorite Fassolatha

1/3 c. extra-virgin olive oil (or less if you're using a non-stick pan)
2 large onions, sliced thin
1/2 t. red pepper flakes
2 ribs of celery, trimmed and chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
1 15-oz. can white beans, rinsed and drained
6 c. water
1 bay leaf
3 Roma (plum) tomatoes, grated
1/4 c. Italian (flat-leaf) parsley, chopped fine
salt and pepper to taste
3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (no pulp)

Heat half the olive oil in the soup pot, add the onions and red pepper flakes, and sautŽ until the onions start to caramelize. Add celery and carrots, and cook another 10 minutes. Add beans, toss to coat them with the oil, then add water and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes. Add tomatoes. Simmer another 10 minutes, and add parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook 10 minutes more, remove from heat, then add the lemon juice and remaining olive oil. Serve hot with lots of fresh bread and a simple table wine. Serves 6.

***

CRAFT RESOURCES

Venerable Dover Publications has come out with a collection of copyright-free illustrations, _Ancient Greek Designs_ by Marty Noble, which will be of use to Hellenic artists, publishers, and students alike. Here's the description from Dover's holiday catalogue: "43 full-page illustrations from ancient Greek vases, votive reliefs, clay figures, statuary and other authentic sources include gods and goddesses, warriors, weapons, mythical figures, bacchantes, musical instruments and more." The item number is 41228-8 and the price is $5.95 (+ $5.00 shipping and handling). Dover does not accept telephone order or credit cards (although that will be changing soon). In the meantime, write to them at Dover Publications, 31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, NY 11501-3582.

*** NEW MAILING LIST

The members of Hellenion have created another mailing list: Hellenion-Study. The group will be reading and books related to Hellenic religion. You must be a member of the main Hellenion list (http://www.egroups.com/subscribe/Hellenion) to join. To subscribe, go to http://www.egroups.com/subscribe/Hellenion-Study or send an empty email to Hellenion-Study-subscribe@egroups.com .

***

Poll Results

POLL QUESTION: Do you practice magic? (For the purposes of this survey, magic includes procedures designed to influence life situations by non-mundane means but _excludes_ the methods afforded by the mainstream religion of the polis, i.e., prayer and sacrifice.)

CHOICES AND RESULTS

- I practice magic as part of Hellenic religion., 7 votes, 17.50%
- I practice magic as part of another religion., 13 votes, 32.50%
- I practice magic outside of a religious context., 9 votes, 22.50%
- I do not practice magic., 7 votes, 17.50%
- I do not distinguish between magic and prayer/sacrifice., 4 votes, 10.00%

*** NEW POLL: WHAT WE CALL OURSELVES

Do you call yourself a Pagan? A polytheist? A Hellene? To vote, go to: http://www.egroups.com/polls/kerux

*** UPCOMING EVENTS

=Northern California=

Saturday, December 2, 2000: "History of Paganism" class for Collegium, the clergy training program of Fellowship of the Spiral Path. 2 p.m., private East Bay location.

Late December (exact date TBA): Country Dionysia Open House, at a private location in San Francisco. For more information on any of the above events, contact Drew at brightwave@y...

The next two Dromena to be celebrated by Thiasos Olympikos are the Maimakteria and the Pompaia. For more information, visit http://home.pon.net/rhinoceroslodge/dromena.htm#NewDrom or contact Pyrokanthos at rhinoceroslodge@p....

=New England=

The Greater Boston Pagan Network hosts a series of open rituals by different local Pagan groups. For transportation and parking details, send a blank message to: sabbats-faq@n... or contact Maureen at MaureenRW@e... or 781-388-3773.

***

CONTRIBUTE TO THE KERUX

The Kerux is always looking for articles, reviews, and announcements of interest to the Hellenic Reconstructionist community. We're particularly interested in items that support home-based religious practice and eusebeia (piety). Paste your contribution into an email and send to kerux-owner@egroups.com.

***

The Kerux is a project of Nomos Arkhaios, an educational resource center promoting the study and practice of traditional Hellenic religion. For more information, visit the website at Individual authors appearing in the Kerux retain all rights to their work. If you'd like to reprint something you see here, please write directly to the author of the piece for permission.


This article originally appeared on Andrew Campbell's Nomos Arkhaios site which is currently on hiatus.
This article is copyright © 2000-2003 by Andrew Campbell and is reprinted here with permission.


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