The Wild Hunt (https://wildhunt.org/tag/legal-recognition)
For years, the Pagan organization Romuva has has sought recognition by the Lithuanian state, but the legislature repeatedly rejected its bids – even after the European Court of Human Rights declared the state was violating religious liberty. But following October elections, a new legislature has finally recognized the religion.
ATHENS, Greece – On April 9th, the Supreme Council of Ethnic Hellenes (YSEE), a religious organization working to restore the indigenous religion of Greece, put out a statement saying Greek polytheism has received legal status in Greece. Prior to this, Greek Pagans did not have religious freedoms such as the ability to buy land to create houses of worship nor could Pagan clergy perform marriage ceremonies. Yesterday the Secretary of the Supreme council of Ethnic Hellenes (YSEE) announced that after more than twenty years of struggle, the Greek state has finally recognized the Hellenic Religion as a ‘Known Religion’ according to paragraph 17 – the only form of recognition for a religion in Greece. The mentioned paragraph includes the permission to build a temple as well as the right of public exercise of any recognized religion. The recognition of Hellenic Religion as a ‘Known Religion’ is only the first step towards a general recognition of Hellenism.