ATHENS – On a beautiful September day, a couple joined hands in matrimony at the Temple of Zeus in Cyprus for the very first time. This is the first marriage ceremony performed in a Hellenic country – meaning Greece or Cyprus – to be legally recognized in Greece. The ironic part is that the Hellenic ethnic religion is not recognized as a religion in Cyprus, where the ceremony was held. Regardless, this monumental occasion is a major cause to celebrate not only for the newlyweds, but for the hundreds of couples in the coming years in both Cyprus in Greece who do seek matrimonial services in the Hellenic ethnic religion.
The ceremony was conducted by George Lizos, the first ordained priest of YSEE (The Supreme Council of Ethnic Hellenes) in Cyprus, and the first openly LGBTQ+ priest in the organization. YSEE is the organization behind last year’s Meditteraneum 2024, and George was a speaker at the first pan-Mediterranean conference hosted by YSEE in Athens, Greece, with attendees from Italy and Cyprus. George graciously answered our questions about the ceremony, the significance of the day, and what it means for the future.
Thank you for taking the time to sit down with us today. How did it feel to be the facilitator of this historic event? Can you tell us what it meant, both personally and for YSEE, to conduct the very first legally recognized Hellenic polytheist wedding in Cyprus?
While the Hellenic Ethnic Religion has been legally recognized in Greece since 2017, this is not yet the case in Cyprus, where we are still actively working toward legal recognition. Over the past five years, we’ve been collaborating with international organizations such as the International Center for Cultural Studies (ICCS), Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), and the European Congress of Ethnic Religions (ECER) while also engaging with the legal system here to establish ourselves as a recognized religion. Facilitating the first marriage ceremony of this kind in modern times was therefore an important step in that direction.
Although the couple had to marry through a civil service for their union to be legally binding, they chose to also hold a spiritual ceremony because it was deeply meaningful to them.
Because of the historic weight of the event, I felt extremely honored to be given the opportunity to facilitate it. I had been trained to perform the marriage ceremony during my priesthood training with the Supreme Council of Ethnic Hellenes (YSEE) in Athens back in 2016, but this was the first time I was called to do so. That made it all the more significant. I dedicated a great deal of time to preparing and rehearsing, immersing myself in the sacred hymns and ritual practices that formed part of the ceremony.
Photo Credit: YSEE
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I can only imagine the energy of the day! Why do you think this moment is historically significant, not just for Cyprus but for the global Hellenic polytheist community?
It’s historically significant for two reasons.
Firstly, it shows that more and more people are awakening to their spiritual connection with their ancestors and feeling the need to return to their roots and ancestral practices. I’ve always believed that when we activate the energetic cord connecting us with our ancestors and reclaim our ancestral spirituality, we unlock deep personal and collective wisdom. It’s a profound honor to witness people awakening to that truth.
Secondly, the more people choose to reconnect with their ancestral religion, the more likely it is that the Cypriot government will recognize the need and take action. Change happens when we show up for what we believe in and aren’t afraid to ask for it. And asking isn’t only about words—it’s also about action. This couple’s decision to perform an ancestral marriage ceremony is a powerful declaration of that belief, and a clear sign that this change is not only needed but inevitable.
Ancient Greek weddings were rich in symbolism and ritual. Which traditional elements were included in this ceremony?
Our ceremony drew deeply from the symbolism and ritual of ancient Greek weddings. We made offerings and poured libations to the gods who traditionally oversaw marriage—Hestia, Eros, Artemis, the Moirai, Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, and Peitho—honoring the divine presence in the union. The ritual cutting of hair and washing with consecrated water echoed the ancient proteleia, when brides dedicated parts of their childhood to Artemis before entering womanhood.
We also incorporated fertility symbols such as grain, honey, and nuts, blessings for abundance and healthy children, which were central to Hesiod’s vision of marriage. Finally, we chanted hymns to Aphrodite and Peitho in the style of the ancient epithalamia, the wedding songs of Sappho and Theocritus.
At the same time, we consciously included newer elements, because our religion does not aim to reconstruct the past exactly as it was but to let it evolve. We see ourselves as part of a living, breathing tradition that grows with time, carrying forward the essence of our ancestors’ practices while keeping them relevant and meaningful for today.
Cyprus is deeply tied to ancient Greek religion, especially through Aphrodite and her cult. How did it feel to facilitate a wedding here, on such sacred ground? Tell us about the temple space and the altar/setting of sacred space there.
What made this ceremony truly special was that we performed it at the first modern Temple of Zeus in Cyprus, in the village of Lympia, which, according to sources, was once called Olympia in ancient times. The village was dedicated to Zeus, so holding the marriage ceremony there, in a space so closely connected to the divine couple Zeus and Hera, carried a profound symbolic weight.
Normally, when I perform ceremonies, I feel a little anxious as I focus on remembering all the steps and hymns. This time, however, I felt completely at peace. I was present, centered, and in flow, as if the ancients themselves were speaking through me. It felt like the land was celebrating with us, breathing a sigh of relief that these sacred practices were finally returning home.
Do you see this as a step toward reclaiming cultural and religious identity in Cyprus and Greece?
Absolutely – especially in Cyprus. Over the past few years, we’ve been making steady progress in gaining both local and international recognition. We’ve been given platforms on TV channels and popular podcasts to share our views, and our membership and active participation in international organizations such as ECER are helping create the foundation for broader acceptance. This ceremony is another meaningful step in reclaiming and affirming our cultural and religious identity, both here and in Greece.
How did the couple and their families respond to being part of this historic first?
The groom is Greek-Cypriot and the bride is Chinese, so we had the joy of welcoming the bride’s parents, who flew all the way from China to attend the ceremony. They absolutely loved the experience, and many of the photos that were shared were actually taken by the bride’s father. They especially appreciated the intimate and personal nature of the ceremony, which felt very different from the way marriages are usually performed in organized religions. As the current leader of YSEE, Elena Petri stated in her interview with The Wild Hunt last year, YSEE is an inclusive organization proud to be welcoming to all on the path of Hellenic polytheism.
What impact do you hope this will have on younger generations considering Hellenic polytheism as their spiritual path?
After sharing about the ceremony on Instagram, I received messages from people who were inspired to have their own wedding at the temple. One woman told me she had always dreamed of marrying according to the ancient Greek religion, but didn’t realize it was even possible. That’s why I believe it’s so important to speak about this event in public forums—it shows Hellenic polytheists all over the world that the ancient religion isn’t dead. It is very much alive, growing, and evolving.
This is especially important for younger generations, who are seeking meaningful spiritual paths that connect them to their roots. I feel deeply honored to be one of the youngest priests of the religion in both Greece and Cyprus, and to be leading this movement forward in a way that makes space for them to join and carry it into the future.
I couldn’t agree more – being ambassadors for our religion as the world moves forward will draw in the right people in the next generations. What message would you like to share with readers about the importance of reviving and practicing the ancestral religion of Greece today?
The most important message I want to share – one that I wrote an entire book about (Secrets of Greek Mysticism) – is that the ancient Greek religion isn’t just mythology. Mythology draws from theology, not the other way around. The myths carry profound spiritual messages that are meant to be unlocked and interpreted, not taken literally.
In the same way, the gods are not the characters we see in the myths. They are embodiments of universal laws and forces, each carrying virtues that we can practice and embody in our daily lives. By living in alignment with these divine principles, we become more like the gods and learn to cultivate virtuous, meaningful lives.
Once people understand this truth, that the ancient Greek religion is no longer just a collection of old stories, it becomes a living spiritual path that opens up an entirely new world of wisdom and possibility.
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