In September 2025, a wedding ceremony according to a pagan rite took place for the first time in Cyprus in the Temple of Zeus.
The Greek national religion is not recognized as official in Cyprus. However, this significant event will be an important celebration not only for the newlyweds, but also for hundreds of couples who will register their marriage according to the Hellenic national religion in both Cyprus and Greece in the coming years.
The ceremony was performed by George Lyzos, the first priest of YSEE (Supreme Council of Ethnic Greeks) in Cyprus. George answered our questions about the ceremony, the significance of the day, and what it means for the future.
- What was it like to be the organizer of this historical event? Could you tell us what it meant to you personally and to YSEE in particular to host the first officially recognized Greek Pagan wedding in Cyprus?
- The Greek ethnic religion has been officially recognized in Greece since 2017, in Cyprus it is not yet officially recognized, and we are still actively working on its legal recognition. Over the past five years, we have collaborated 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), as well as interacting with local legal system to establish itself as a recognized religion. Therefore, holding the first wedding ceremony of this kind was an important step in this direction.
In order for the union to be legally official, the couple had to marry through a civil service, after which they decided to also have a spiritual ceremony, since it had deep meaning for them.
Due to the historical significance of this event, I was extremely honored to be given the opportunity to host it. I was trained to perform a marriage ceremony during my priesthood training at the Supreme Council of Ethnic Greeks (YSEE) in Athens in 2016, but this was my first time being asked to perform such a ceremony. This made the event even more significant. I spent a lot of time preparing and rehearsing, immersing myself in the sacred hymns and ritual practices that are part of the ceremony.
- Why, in your opinion, is this ceremony of historical significance not only for Cyprus, but also for the entire world community of Hellenic polytheism?
- This is historically significant for two reasons.
Firstly, it shows that more and more people are aware of their spiritual connection with their ancestors and feel the need to return to their roots and traditions. I have always believed that by activating the energetic connection that connects us to our ancestors and reclaiming the spirituality of our ancestors, we unlock deep personal and collective wisdom. It is a great honor for me to watch people awaken and come to this truth.
Secondly, the more people decide to reconnect with the religion of their ancestors, the more likely it is that the Cypriot government will recognize this need and draw conclusions. Change happens when we openly declare our faith and are not afraid to ask for it. Asking is not only words, but also actions. This couple's decision to marry according to ancient rites is a powerful manifestation of this belief and a clear sign that these changes are not only necessary, but inevitable.
- Ancient Greek weddings were rich in symbolism and rituals. What traditional elements did this ceremony include?
- Our ceremony is deeply inspired by the symbolism and rituals of ancient Greek weddings. We made offerings and poured libations to the gods who traditionally patronized marriage: Hestia, Eros, Artemis, Moira, Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite and Peitho, paying homage to the divine presence in the union. The ritual of cutting hair and washing with blessed water was reminiscent of the Proteleia ritual, when brides dedicated part of their childhood to Artemis before entering adulthood. We also included fertility symbols such as grain, honey and nuts, blessings of abundance and healthy children, which were central to Hesiod's ideas about marriage. Finally, we sang hymns to Aphrodite and Peito in the style of the ancient epithals, the wedding chants of Sappho and Theocritus. At the same time, we deliberately included new elements, since our religion does not strive for an accurate reconstruction of the past, but allows it to develop. Мы считаем себя частью живой, дышащей традиции, which evolves over time, preserving the essence of the practices of our ancestors, maintaining their relevance and significance for today. - Cyprus is closely connected with the ancient Greek religion, especially through Aphrodite and her cult. Каково было проводить свадьбу здесь, на такой священной земле? Tell us about the temple space and the altar and the arrangement of the sacred space. - The peculiarity of this ceremony was that we held it in the first modern temple of Zeus in Cyprus in the village of Lympia, which, according to sources, was called Olympia in ancient times. The village was dedicated to Zeus, so holding a wedding ceremony here, in a place so closely associated with the divine couple Zeus and Hera, had a deep symbolic meaning. Usually, when performing ceremonies, I feel a slight anxiety, concentrating on remembering all the actions and hymns. But this time I felt completely at peace. I was focused and immersed in the flow, as if the ancients spoke through me. It seemed as if the earth was celebrating with us, sighing with relief that these sacred practices were finally coming home. - Do you consider this a step towards restoring the cultural and religious identity of Cyprus and Greece? - Absolutely, especially in Cyprus. Over the past few years, we have made steady progress in gaining both local and international recognition. We have been given platforms on television channels and popular podcasts to express our views, and our membership and active participation in international organizations such as ECER help create the basis for wider recognition. This ceremony is another important step in restoring and affirming our cultural and religious identity, both here and in Greece.- How did the couple and their families react to being part of this historic event?- The groom is Greek Cypriot and the bride is Chinese, so we were fortunate to welcome the bride's parents who flew in from China to attend the ceremony. They absolutely loved the experience and many of the photos we shared were taken by the bride's father. They particularly enjoyed the intimate atmosphere of the ceremony, which was very different from how weddings in organized religions are typically conducted. As Elena Petri, the current leader of YSEE, stated in her interview with The Wild Hunt last year, YSEE is an inclusive organization that prides itself on welcoming all who follow the path of Hellenic polytheism. - What impact do you think this will have on the younger generation who consider Hellenic polytheism as their spiritual path? - After I posted about the ceremony on Instagram and received messages from people inspired by the idea of having their own wedding in a temple. One woman told me that she always dreamed of getting married according to ancient Greek rites, but did not even suspect that it was possible. That's why I think it's so important to talk about this event. publicly - this shows Hellenic pagans around the world that the ancient religion is not dead. It lives, grows and develops. This is especially important for the younger generation who are looking for meaningful spiritual paths that connect them with their roots. I am honored to be one of the youngest priests of this religion in both Greece and Cyprus, and to lead this movement forward, giving them the opportunity to join and carry it into the future. - What message would you like to share with readers about the importance of reviving and practicing the original religion of Greece today? - The most important message I want to share and about which I wrote an entire book (Secrets of the Greek mysticism") - is that the ancient Greek religion is not just mythology. Mythology takes its inspiration from theology, not the other way around. Myths carry deep spiritual messages that should be revealed and interpreted rather than taken literally. Likewise, gods are not mythical characters. They are embodiments of universal laws and forces, each of which has virtues that we can practice and embody in our daily lives. By living in accordance with these divine principles, we become more like the gods and learn to live virtuous, meaningful lives. Once people understand this truth: the ancient Greek religion is no longer just a collection of old traditions, it will become a living spiritual path that opens up a whole new world of wisdom and possibilities.
Source: wildhunt.org
