Konstantinos Konstantinidis \u2013 Amphiktyon<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cabeirian festivals and initiation ceremonies were celebrated in many regions of the Greek world, including Lemnos, Athens, Delos, Thasos, Karpathos, Corfu, Corinth, Crete, Cyprus, and almost all the islands of the Aegean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Episodes from the Initiation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Have you committed any terrible crime?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He replied:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“If I had committed such a deed, the gods themselves would know it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Is it you, or the gods, who wish to know?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The gods,” answered the priest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lysander then said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Then leave, for if they wish to know, I shall tell them myself.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This exchange reveals the free spirit of the Greeks, even in their dealings with priests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The End of the Mysteries<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Cabeirian Mysteries continued to be practiced until the 4th century AD. In AD 391, the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius I closed the temples of the Olympian gods, abolished the Olympic Games, shut down the Oracle of Delphi and the other Greek oracles, and prohibited the mystery rites throughout the Empire in order to establish Christianity as the dominant religion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, the ruins of the Sanctuary of the Great Gods on Samothrace constitute one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites. This imposing sacred complex and its monuments inspire awe in every visitor and, according to many, bear witness to far more than later generations attempted to conceal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the early Christian churches incorporate architectural elements and building materials taken from ancient Greek temples dedicated to the Twelve Olympian Gods. It has been suggested that these materials should be carefully removed and returned to their respective archaeological monuments. Likewise, small Christian chapels that were erected upon the foundations of ancient temples (such as those in the Grove of the Muses) could be relocated, thereby allowing the ancient monuments to be restored to their original locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let us follow the example of our neighbors, the Italians, who have restored, to a considerable extent, many ancient Greek temples within their own territory.{last)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
References: Herodotus, Diodorus Siculus, Strabo, Pausanias, Plutarch, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2 July 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amphiktyon
Major General (Ret.) Konstantinos Konstantinidis
Author \u2013 Member of the Society of Greek Writers<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amphiktyon Blog: http:\/\/www.amphiktyon.blogspot.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amphiktyon Official Site: http:\/\/www.amphiktyon.org<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Konstantinos Konstantinidis \u2013 Amphiktyon Cabeirian festivals and initiation ceremonies were celebrated in many regions of the Greek world, including Lemnos, Athens, Delos, Thasos, Karpathos, Corfu, Corinth, Crete, Cyprus, and almost all the islands of the Aegean. Episodes from the Initiation “Have you committed any terrible crime?” He replied: “If I had committed such a deed, … <\/p>\n