The 7 Pillars

Often translated as 'guest-friendship' or 'ritualized friendship' - Xenia was a core tenant of Hellenistic life and Hellenistic society.

"Historically, hospitality towards foreigners and guests (Hellenes not of your polis) was understood as a moral obligation, as well as a political imperative."

As a Pillar of our temple, Xenia means being hospital and inclusive to individuals from all walks of life and lived experiences. Kindness and respect should be shown to all strangers you encounter - and hospitality should be extended towards them (when it is safe to do so).

Eusebia is a term used to encapsulate our attitudes towards not only our beliefs and worship practices, but also our attitudes when referencing, honoring, or petitioning The Gods.​

"One demonstrates Eusebeia to the gods by performing the customary acts of respect (festivals, prayers, sacrifices, public devotions)."

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As a Pillar of our temple, Eusebia means showing respect towards Hellenic Polytheism, Hellenic worship practices, and The Divine. This respect also entails honoring The Theoi with worship, through prayer and ritual.

Sophrosyne was a highly valued and praised virtue in the Hellenistic world, and was often used as the opposite of hubris. Which was, as it is today, regarded as an undesirable character trait.

"Sophrosyne is [...] excellence of character and soundness of mind, which when combined in one well-balanced individual leads to other qualities, such as temperance, moderation, prudence, purity, decorum, and self-control."

As a Pillar of our temple, Sophrosyne means to not take more than you need. It is a Pillar that reminds us to avoid greed and selfishness, as well as to not allow ourselves to over-indulge to the point of harming ourselves or others.

Diakaiosyne roughly translates to "righteousness” or “justice". Dikaiosyne is also a Daemone (spirit) who was the personification of these values. Dikaiosyne was closely related and often equated to the Horae, Dike.

"O blessed Dikaiosyne, mankind's delight, the eternal friend of conduct just and right: abundant, venerable, honoured maid, to judgements pure dispensing constant aid"

As a Pillar of our temple, Dikaiosyne is closely tied to Social Justice and Progressive ideals. In this Temple we believe that being an active ally towards disenfranchised and minoritized groups should not only happen beside our religious practices, but is essential to them.

Originally meaning "cleverness" or "skillfulness", in Ancient Greece Sophia would come to be a word that referenced wisdom and intelligence. It also became closely associated with "philosophía" (love of wisdom) which was often used by Plato.

"By the Roman Empire, it became common to depict the cardinal virtues [...] as female allegories. Thus, in the Library of Celsus in Ephesus [...] there are four statues of female allegories, depicting wisdom (Sophia) [...]"

As a Pillar of our temple, Sophia embodies the value of truth, exploration, research, and wisdom. This is not about being able-minded, but instead is about the virtue and value of gaining understanding and knowledge.

A less commonly known term, Hekousion is a word meaning "voluntary" or "that which is done by our will". For its use in our Temple, Hekousion is meant to be similar to or synonymous with "EΦ HMIN"

"Greek philosophy had no precise term for 'free will' as did Latin […]. The discussion was in terms of responsibility, what 'depends on us' (in Greek EΦ HMIN)."

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As a Pillar in our Temple, Hekousion is meant to embody the non-compulsory and non-dogmatic nature of our faith. Worship should always be an act of consent, where one chooses to welcome The Theoi into their life.​

Kharis translates to English in a variety of ways including "beauty, elegance, charm, grace", "grace, favor, goodwill", and "the grace or favor of the Gods" a voluntary act of goodwill"

"Kharis is the reciprocal relationship which sustains divine and human interactions, characterized by a flowing exchange of favor between the Theoi and worshipper."

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As a Pillar in our Temple, Kharis is the basis of our relationship with The Gods. This ancient practice of reciprocity is to be upheld by all who honor The Theoi, as it is the foundation of our faith.