Petition to help YSEE

You may recall that a long while ago, a petition made the rounds to help πατο Συμβούλιο των Ελλήνων Εθνικών, the 'Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes', become a governmentally recognised institution. The organisation, also called 'YSEE', is in modern Greece, and if you have ever looked through the YSEE website, you are well aware that its members have a pretty rough time in their homeland, trying to re-establish the ancient religion.

Modern Greece is a very Christian country, and any attempt to practice a different religion--let alone reconstruct an ancient one--is met not only with resistance, but violence, property damage, and a great deal of threats. On top of that, the Greek government refuses to recognize Hellenismos as a valid religion, making it hard to receive funding for temples and celebrations, protection of its members and facilities, and opportunities to worship at the ancient sites. To help aid the Hellenist practicing in Greece, Stylianos K. created an on-line petition for those who supported this cause to sign. His plea:

"Please Help the ethnic Hellenes in Greece to get their native tradition recognized as a Statutory corporation and having equal rights, just as every other native tradition should have in the EU. Help the native hellenic tradition and religion, because it is the tradition which gave us democracy, liberty of speech and Humanism."

The use of these online petitions is debatable, but a new round of petition signing has commenced and if your name is not on there yet, now is the time to do it. The goal is to get to two thousand signatures, and the petition is well underway. Take a moment out of your day and sign your name here. It might not help but it certainly won't hurt.

• Sunday, July 27, 2014
  Hellenic Reconstruction modern Greece petition YSEE

Petition for the temple of Artemis Agrotera

Lots of community news this week! Today, I wanted to tell you about a petition that is making the rounds at the current time. The petition focusses on the archaeological site of the Ionic temple of Artemis Agrotera in Athens, which is threatened by real-estate development and general disrepair caused by the government's neglect of it.

Documentary for an active protest concerning of the endangered archeological site of the 5th B.C ionic temple of Artemis Agrotera on Ardittou St, Mets in the centre of Athens, created by National Greek TV ET1. Part 2 | Part 3

 

As the petition's creators--artemisagrotera.org, created by the Citizens of Mets Initiative--describe:

 

"The archaeological site of the Ionic temple of Artemis Agrotera one of the most important historical and archeological sites that has survived in the center of Athens is at risk due to the lack of political will of the Greek Ministers of Culture. Up to this date no action has been taken to release the necessary funds for the expropriation of the land, its further excavation and its accessibility to the public.

 

In spite of 7 consultations over a period of 40 years with the Central Archaeological Council (the official expert body of the Ministry of Culture) wherein they consistently proposed the expropriation, excavation and accessibility of the site, the Minister has now redirected the issue to the council, proposing the possibility for private construction of the site."
 

Those who sign, sign to:

 

"...strongly oppose the real estate development of sacred archaeological sites. Governments have the responsibility to protect our world heritage and keep it intact for the generations that follow. We demand that the European Parliament, the Greek Parliament and relevant Government Agencies take action to protect this site."

 

Artemis Agrotera (Ἄρτεμις Ἀγροτέρα, Artemis the Huntress) is one of the most important epithets of Artemis, and Attic hunters honored Her more than any other. Her temple dates back to the fifth century BC, and was the focal point for thanks giving rites for the victory at the Battle of Marathon. The temple was destroyed in 1778, when the Ottoman forces occupying Athens demolished ancient sites for building materials needed to construct a wall around the city. The ruins of the temple survive today on Ardettou Street, tightly surrounded by modern buildings.

 

Modern Greece has a treasure trove of cultural heritage, and while current economic hardship makes a fast profit off of this heritage tempting, it's also despicable. Personally, I understand that the site can't be kept as it should, with money being as tight as it is, but private construction on this landmark site should be stopped at all cost. I have signed the petition, along with 11817 others at this point. Sign here if you agree the temple site needs protecting.

• Tuesday, May 7, 2013
  Artemis Artemis Agotera current affairs modern Greece petition Temples