History of Greece on Dipity.
The city-states of Greece, which still today are major cities in Greece, emerged initially around 900 BC. Much later, in 1821, the Greek War of Independence took place, and Greece became a free kingdom from the Ottoman Empire. In World War II, Greece made a statement to the rest of the world in their resistance against the Axis Powers, specifically Italy. Benito Mussolini wanted to take over Greece during the war, and gave them an ultimatum in 1939 at the start of the War. Their leader, Metaxas, refused, proving that it was possible to stand up to the Axis Powers. However, after Metaxas' death in 1941, Greece fell into the power of Germany. Later, in 1952, once the country had regained control, Greece became a kingdom lead by parliamentary democracy. However, shortly after, in 1973, the country became a republic. Finally, in 1975, a final change to the Greek government occurred. The country became a parliamentary republic, led by a president as well as other executive powers. This is the current form and model of government used in the country today.
Religion in Greece
There is no one specific date and time referenced as the start or founding of Greek religion. However, it is believed that in the second century BC, around the time of the Aryan invasions in Greece, is when Greek religion first began (Greek Religion). After the attacks of this time, Aegean, Aryan, and Minoan cultures were brought together to represent Greek culture as a whole. Eventually, in this Helladic portion of Greece, religion began to flourish. (Greek Religion). Gods and goddesses were the foundation of ancient Greek religion. The religious practices were polytheistic, and consisted of many sacrifices and rituals. Greek gods and goddesses were inhumanly powerful and strong, as well as extremely beautiful. However, they were able to appear in human form in many Greek myths. (Cartwright). The present day dominant religion in Greece is Greek Orthodox Christianity, which is a monotheistic religion rather than the previously practiced polytheism. (Religion).
Long ago, in the ancient Greek times, religion was the center and foundation of life in Greece. Greek mythology told stories of the gods and goddesses, appearing in human form, and being the strongest, most beautiful beings. (Greek Religion). Everything in Greek people's lives was centered around their religious practices, from the myths and stories, to the traditions and sacrificing of animals. Nowadays, rather than worshipping the many gods and goddesses of mythology, Greek Orthodox Christians worship only one God. However, religion still plays a key role in Greek society. Religion has always been a big part of Greek culture. Now, it is one of the biggest attractions of tourism in Greece. (Religion).
Orthodox Christianity originated in Jerusalem with the first Pentecost (Papadakis). This was where Orthodox Christianity was centered from, and for some time, this was the only holy place of Orthodox Christianity. However, as the newer branch of Greek Orthodox Christianity emerged, there came a new holy place, in addition to Jerusalem. The new capital of Eastern Christianity became Byzantium, a city in Greece. (Papadakis).
In early Greek times, prior to the Aryan invasions in Greece, the different groups of Greek people were very spread out amongst the area of the country. (Greek Religion). This was before the time of the introduction of religion into Greek society. However, after these invasions, when the different groups of Greek people came together to form one unified Greek culture, there were still Greek people spread out amongst the land. Each of these little groupings in early times had their own small government or leaders. (Cartwright). Different places worshipped different specific gods and goddesses more than others, depending on their origins and stories. Nowadays, almost everyone in Greece practices Greek Orthodox Christianity, as well as members of the government, so since it is the dominant religion, it probably comes into play in some ways in the government.
Throughout my studies of the country of Greece, I have found religion to be a very important part of the Greek culture. In studying ancient Greece and the origins of the country, there is much information on Greek mythology and how religion affected everyday life in Greece in those times, as well as architecture, art, and traditions. Nowadays, almost all of the country practices Greek Orthodox Christianity, and is very unified in their religion. The religion in Greece even draws in more tourists. I think religion is a very important aspect of Greek culture.
Sources
Cartwright, M. (2013, April 11). Greek Religion. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
Greek Religion. (2014, January 1). Retrieved October 23, 2014.
Papadakis, A. (2014, January 1). History of the Orthodox Church. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
Religion. (2014, January 1). Retrieved October 23, 2014.
There is no one specific date and time referenced as the start or founding of Greek religion. However, it is believed that in the second century BC, around the time of the Aryan invasions in Greece, is when Greek religion first began (Greek Religion). After the attacks of this time, Aegean, Aryan, and Minoan cultures were brought together to represent Greek culture as a whole. Eventually, in this Helladic portion of Greece, religion began to flourish. (Greek Religion). Gods and goddesses were the foundation of ancient Greek religion. The religious practices were polytheistic, and consisted of many sacrifices and rituals. Greek gods and goddesses were inhumanly powerful and strong, as well as extremely beautiful. However, they were able to appear in human form in many Greek myths. (Cartwright). The present day dominant religion in Greece is Greek Orthodox Christianity, which is a monotheistic religion rather than the previously practiced polytheism. (Religion).
Long ago, in the ancient Greek times, religion was the center and foundation of life in Greece. Greek mythology told stories of the gods and goddesses, appearing in human form, and being the strongest, most beautiful beings. (Greek Religion). Everything in Greek people's lives was centered around their religious practices, from the myths and stories, to the traditions and sacrificing of animals. Nowadays, rather than worshipping the many gods and goddesses of mythology, Greek Orthodox Christians worship only one God. However, religion still plays a key role in Greek society. Religion has always been a big part of Greek culture. Now, it is one of the biggest attractions of tourism in Greece. (Religion).
Orthodox Christianity originated in Jerusalem with the first Pentecost (Papadakis). This was where Orthodox Christianity was centered from, and for some time, this was the only holy place of Orthodox Christianity. However, as the newer branch of Greek Orthodox Christianity emerged, there came a new holy place, in addition to Jerusalem. The new capital of Eastern Christianity became Byzantium, a city in Greece. (Papadakis).
In early Greek times, prior to the Aryan invasions in Greece, the different groups of Greek people were very spread out amongst the area of the country. (Greek Religion). This was before the time of the introduction of religion into Greek society. However, after these invasions, when the different groups of Greek people came together to form one unified Greek culture, there were still Greek people spread out amongst the land. Each of these little groupings in early times had their own small government or leaders. (Cartwright). Different places worshipped different specific gods and goddesses more than others, depending on their origins and stories. Nowadays, almost everyone in Greece practices Greek Orthodox Christianity, as well as members of the government, so since it is the dominant religion, it probably comes into play in some ways in the government.
Throughout my studies of the country of Greece, I have found religion to be a very important part of the Greek culture. In studying ancient Greece and the origins of the country, there is much information on Greek mythology and how religion affected everyday life in Greece in those times, as well as architecture, art, and traditions. Nowadays, almost all of the country practices Greek Orthodox Christianity, and is very unified in their religion. The religion in Greece even draws in more tourists. I think religion is a very important aspect of Greek culture.
Sources
Cartwright, M. (2013, April 11). Greek Religion. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
Greek Religion. (2014, January 1). Retrieved October 23, 2014.
Papadakis, A. (2014, January 1). History of the Orthodox Church. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
Religion. (2014, January 1). Retrieved October 23, 2014.
Map of major places of religion in Greece.
This map shows how many places in Greece are major points of religious practice. Greece is a very religious practice, as shown by the many locations outlined in this map.
Source: Places in Greek Religion. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2014.
This map shows how many places in Greece are major points of religious practice. Greece is a very religious practice, as shown by the many locations outlined in this map.
Source: Places in Greek Religion. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2014.
Picture of traditional Greek Orthodox church.
This image is a picture of one of many traditional Greek Orthodox churches, located in Greece as a place of worship.
Source: Orthodox Church. (2012, June 4). Retrieved October 23, 2014.
This image is a picture of one of many traditional Greek Orthodox churches, located in Greece as a place of worship.
Source: Orthodox Church. (2012, June 4). Retrieved October 23, 2014.