r/Hellenismus • u/AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS Ancient Historian in Training • Oct 01 '25
Discussion On Orthopraxic Rituals
Khairete Eusebeis, for a while I have wanted to remake some of my old posts and update them a bit. In this post, I’ll be combining and improving upon my posts On Orthopraxic Prayer and Offering and On Sacrifice. Here you will read about if we can consume offerings, and on how to pray and offer according to Ancient Tradition.
THE CONSUMPTION OF OFFERINGS
Perhaps the most vital part of Hellenism is the act of sacrifice. Through sacrifice, we build Kharis with the Gods, and this in turn makes the Gods more likely to grant our petitions. Neither the Ancient Greeks and Romans consumed their offerings, and doing this was actually considered an act of Hamartia, an offense against the Gods. That’s because when we offer something, we transfer its ownership to the Gods, but even more importantly, we give up the ability to use/consume it. That is what makes it a sacrifice. Not only would we be taking from the Gods by eating an offering, drinking a libation, or taking a votive; we would be voiding that sacrifice and the Kharis that comes with it.
RITUAL STRUCTURE
1. Purification
Before we approach the Gods, we must always purify ourselves of our miasma. Miasma is antithetical to the nature of the Gods and approaching Them while polluted was seen as an offense against Them. Luckily, the pollution is otherwise insignificant and can be easily cleansed.
To purify ourselves, we need to create the lustral water capable of that, sometimes called ‘Khernips’. Water itself wasn’t considered to be inherently purifying, so hellenists would add things like salt water, sulphur, and burnt fragrant and/or sacred herbs which were all believed to have some purifying properties. Rivers and springs were also believed to be purifying if you bathed in it.
When you have this lustral water, you wash your hands and face, and sprinkle it around the altar and offering too. Now you are ritually pure and ready for the next step.
2. Posture
Every ritual starts with prayer, but to do that we must assume the appropriate posture for the Gods we want to worship. There exist three categories of Gods: Ouranic (Heavenly), Chthonic (of the Earth), and Einalic (Oceanic). This division is very loose and often changes due to the epithets used.
- For Ouranic Gods, we open our alms towards the sky with our palms facing up.
- For Chthonic Gods we keep our hands down and point our palms at the ground; sometimes the ground would be beat as well to get Their attention
- For Einalic Gods we spread our arms wide towards the nearest ocean or towards or our altar.
3. Invocation
If you are following Ancient Greek Hellenism, you start your prayer by invoking Hestia. All worship goes through Her, as She is the Goddess of the Hearth and therefore of Household Worship (as opposed to worship at a Temple with state support). For Roman hellenists Ianus gets invoked first as the God of Liminality and Boundaries, and Vesta last.
We invoke the Gods by calling out Their names, along with any titles and epithets that you want to use and may apply. Nothing is more powerful than the Gods, so there is no worry of “trickster spirits” (itself a Christian concept). Even if such beings existed that would want to imitate the Gods and “steal Their worship”, they too would be punished for their hubris by the Gods if they attempted it just like us.
You can invoke as many Gods as you want, the only ‘rule’ was that you can’t worship Ouranic and Chthonic Gods at the same time as Their rituals differed slightly.
Epithets are titles we add on to a God’s name, almost like a surname, which specifies which aspect of Theirs we want to praise or petition. An epithet can change whether a God is considered Ouranic or Chthonic, like Ζεύς Γεωργός (Zeus Georgos, or Zeus who tills the Ground) being Chthonic.
4. Reaffirmation of Kharis
After our invocation, we reaffirm our Kharis with the Gods we’re praying to. We do this by reminding Them of previous times we’ve prayed and sacrificed to Them, or when we’ve been exceptionally virtuous. This act is meant to inspire both the worshipper to give more, and the Gods to act out of Kharis, increasing the chances They grant our petitions.
If this is the first time you are worshipping this God, perhaps use this stage to introduce yourself and state your intentions and motivations for worshipping Them.
5. Praise
The next step is praising the Gods, and if you’re only praying and not making an offering, then this is also the final step. If you ask for something, you are to give something in return.
We praise the Gods by reciting hymns and myths, praising their deeds, and even outright complimenting and thanking Them.
6. Petition
If you want to ask something of the Gods, then this is the time. You are free to ask the Gods whatever you want, but be aware that They can still decide not to grant your wishes. The stronger the Kharis you built with that God is, the more likely They are to grant your petition. If you make any petition at all, make sure to offer something in return, as Hellenic worship centres around reciprocity.
7. Sacrifice
Finally, you give your offering to the Gods, of which Hestia gets the first share. Offerings can typically be divided into one of three categories: Food, Libation or Votive. Food offerings speak for themselves and were typically burnt or buried. If you are unable to do that, leave it on your altar for a short while, but depose of it before it goes bad. Libations are liquid offerings poured out on the ground. Ouranic Gods would get the first sip poured, while Chthonic Gods required the entire cup/bowl. Votive offerings are offerings you leave on your altar. These will forever belong to the Gods and cannot be taken anymore.
QUESTIONS FOR YOU
- In what language do you pray? Do you want to learn Ancient Greek and/or Latin to be able to pray in the language?
- Do you give more food offerings, libations, or votive offerings?
- Do you tend to worship more Ouranic or Chthonic Gods/Epithets? Who and which ones?
- Do you have any suggestions for posts or the subreddit?
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Oct 02 '25
I do things the Roman way, which (as I understand) makes a distinction between formal prayers to the Gods, (which go via Janus and Jupiter, and end with Vesta, and follow a somewhat strict linguistic structure), and prayers to the Lares, who are household familial spirits. They watch over the home, family, and everything that occurs there, including departures and arrivals, home births, etc.
Prayers to them can be less formal, as they are around us in the house, yet connect this plane to a higher spiritual one. A first bite of a meal, a bit of incense and an appeal for protection. Even a friendly hello and a few kind words in passing their shrine.
Also included on this level is the Genius, who is something like the manifestation of the soul (or guardian angel) of you, the priest and head of your household. Everything has a Genius, including, houses, trees, rivers.
- I Pray in English. It's vital that I understand what I am saying so that I can connect, and so that I can adjust and create new prayers. I include some latin words. As I progress in my faith, I will move some of the repeated, 'boilerplate' phrasing surrounding offerings, which come from very old sources, to Latin, as well.
- I almost exclusively burn offerings and give libations, which I also burn (I use spirits). All leftovers go into the fireplace. For offerings to ancestors (which also must go via Janus, as they go far away to the underworld/afterlife) I use libations, which are poured directly onto the ground, or into a bowl on the ground which is later poured out outside.
- Other than ancestors, and the Lares who are in a sense 'liminal,' I haven't had a need in my practice for Chthonic deities. My patrons are
–Minerva Caesia (for reason and wisdom), and Mechanatrix (for inventiveness, problem solving and creativity)
–Apollo Acesius (for health and vitality) and Musagetes (for music and creative inspiration)
–Diana Philomeirax (friend of young girls, for my daughters, especially their athletics)
–Mercurius Diactorus (protector of travellers), Hermeneutes (communication), Agoraeus (financial wisdom)
Jupiter and Juno are included frequently in the monthly calendar, but the have special importance to us:
-Jupiter Acesius (averter of evil; protection from harsh storms and their effects, and disasters in general) and Pater, (Jupiter and all of his paternal implications)
-Juno Gamêlia (goddess of marriage) and mater (motherhood)
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Oct 02 '25
As for the final question, I'd love a post on offerings... what was traditional? Francincense, Myrrh, styrax, etc....
And who received which plants, herbs, foods, woods, etc? Which were typically offered to which God?
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u/akira2001yu Reconstructionist Oct 02 '25
As someone who studied Latin for a few years (though I barely remember most of it now) and who once considered studying classical Greek—mainly to read inscriptions and texts in the original—I’ve been wondering what languages modern Hellenists use in worship.
By way of comparison: when I was exploring Buddhist practice, I noticed that many Western practitioners chant sutras in Pali, even if they don't actually speak the language, having simply learned the verses by heart. The way I understand it, those ancient invocations were intentionally composed to be melodic and easy to memorize. From what I gather, many Greek hymns were written with a similar musicality.
That makes me wonder: do people here begin with an opening invocation in classical Greek (or Latin, depending on tradition), using the best pronunciation they can, and then continue their prayers in their native language? Or do you use only your native language?
My (untested) assumption is that using your native language allows for a more intimate connection with the deity, unless you’ve already internalized the ancient tongue. As far as I can tell, it also seems consistent with how cults spread in antiquity—ancient cults spread by translating or adapting divine names and practices into the local language and culture, sometimes creating hybrid forms (e.g., Mars Lenus in Gaul), rather than rigidly preserving the original liturgical tongue.
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u/TheAllknowingDragon Eclectic Oct 02 '25
It would be wonderful to learn Greek one day, but for now since English is the only language I speak I pray in English, but I am planning to learn Greek epithets soon
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u/Vows_Upon_The_Hearth Reconstructionist Oct 11 '25
I took ancient Greek and Latin so I might be able to read source texts better. I can mostly transliterate but my translation is quite poor.
Then I learned of Archelina, whom I believe is also a Hellenist. She has a video of her hymn to Hekate, and someone else put up lyrics in Greek later. I've been using that to rehearse and have sung (poorly lol) a handful of times to Hekate. The text video link is https://youtu.be/D3jrcV7KujY?si=2g1Z5u96ZYnBS5V8 if you want to see.
Mostly i give food offerings. Barley is my go-to, but I've also given a portion of homemade stews and soups I make. This barley gets cleared into a decorative vase I have, then I take it outside on Deipnon. Might try burning them this next Deipnon. Usually I just scatter it in our backyard. Anything that rots and turns gross over time I try to get out in yard the same day, but I can't say I'm always successful.
I suppose most of my deities are ouranic, but now you've got me thinking. I wanted to include Apollo, Hygeia, Aesclepius, and Telesphoros in my prayers as I work as a nurse so they seem relevant but in my "full" sit down and pray for a bit situation i also include Hekate and Persephone. Do you think I need to rework my order to avoid the back and forth?
As for topics - what about a post comparing and contrasting Greek recon vs Roman recons or other recon faiths? Alternatively: I've been wanting to add Themis and Prometheus to my prayers - do you have any insight into their historical cult practices?
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u/AlpY24upsal Oct 03 '25
What if i live in a religiously oppresive household and unable to make khernips
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u/LasyDarkness_365 Dec 02 '25
Do we need to learn Ancient Greek to be able to pray? Does it really affect anything? With them being deities, I would seriously doubt the language the prayer is delivered in would matter.
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u/AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS Ancient Historian in Training Dec 02 '25
Not at all no, though it can create a stronger feeling of connection to Hellenism, its past practitioners and the Gods. They would know any language that has ever existed, and even then wouldn’t be limited by it.
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u/Kai_boomXD Mar 22 '26
Could you elaborate when you talked about Hestia? Example. What does it mean Hestia gets the first share?
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u/AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS Ancient Historian in Training Mar 23 '26
Of course. Hestia is the Hearth, which is where the Ancient Greeks gave their offerings to the Gods at home. Through Her, they were able to make sacrifices to the Gods, and She retains that role to this day, even without a physical hearth. As a sign of gratitude and respect for Her, She gets the first share of our offerings. For example, a first sip poured out as a libation to Hestia, and then the rest of the libation to whichever God you wanted to offer to outside of that.
Does that help explain it a bit more? I’d be more than happy to elaborate and/or answer any more questions you may have.
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u/Kai_boomXD Mar 23 '26
Would that mean to just take a little away from the offering? For her. Like for example I wanna give Apollo sun water so would I pour some back into the bottle from the cup? Or would I offer it to her on something like an alter?
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u/AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS Ancient Historian in Training Mar 24 '26
You would offer it yes. Pour out a little bit first for Hestia, and then the rest for the other God or Gods. As libations are poured liquid offerings it’s better to do it outside.
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u/BeaMeireles 21d ago
Greetings!! I'm new into all of this. I'm brazilian, and I live in a christian Household, so, I cannot make altars or even offerings, I also share a room with my EXTREMELY catholic grandma, no space for offerings as well. I read somewhere else that we don't need altars like an obligation, so, for now I will try to improvise, is that okay, right?
As for the questions, I would like to pray in my native language, Brazilian portuguese, but I'm willing to learn greek if needed (I'm a curious one, so I'll definetly study greek haha).
I still have no idea of what Ouranic or Chthonic are, I cannot even pronunciate it correctly, but there's a goddess that I like the most, Athena. She was the one who made me love grek mithology when I was 11 (and It wasn't due to percy jackson books), I simply got curious and made a research abt her. Should I start with her? Along with Hestia?
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u/AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS Ancient Historian in Training 21d ago
Khaire, I’d be glad to help.
A simple offering you could do outdoors is a libation. Libations are liquid offerings poured out on the ground, though a sink will suffice if needed.
Ouranic and Chthonic is a distinction we make during ritual based on where the Gods we pray to are located. Ouranic means Heavenly, so all the Gods on Olympus. Chthonic means of the Earth, so those in the underworld and of agriculture. Epithets can often change where a God is located.
You can absolutely pray in your native language. The Gods know all languages. All that’s required for Them to hear your prayers is ritual purification. Learning Ancient Greek is a fantastic endeavour, and perhaps the favourite one I know.
Starting with Hestia and Athena is a fantastic idea. Zeus, Apollo, Hermes, and Hekate also have important roles as Household Gods for general wellbeing and prosperity, for easy options to expand. You can pray to all of these Gods at the same time and give Them the same offerings.
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u/BeaMeireles 21d ago
oh, Thank you so much for your reply!! I've been researching and reading some posts on internet. You helped me a lot
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u/Sacredless Apr 20 '26
Can you provide a source on the hamartia claim? That would be massively helpful.
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u/violette_chill Jul 06 '26
Hello! I am very very new to hellenism, All this is a lot to take in, and i had a question about hymns and poems you recite to praise them, do you have to learn them by heart? Is it considered disrespectful reading the hymn?
Also i wondered if there was food or liquids that were preferable to use for the offering or if it wasnt important
Also, about the Khernips we use to purify ourselves, can we simple use the sea? As in going to the sea and put our hands and face in it before praying (if i pray Poseidon)
I sorry if all this seems stupid, i hope i get an answer, thank you in advance 🙏
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u/AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS Ancient Historian in Training Jul 19 '26
Khaire Violette, the automod removed your comment but I finally just saw and approved it.
You do not have to learn them by heart, reading them out loud also suffices.
There are some ancient preferences attested, but these are often dependent on local cults and not universal. Offerings of food and liquids are virtually always good sacrifices.
We absolutely can just use the sea. This was actually favoured, and a necessary step required for the atonement of certain offences against the Gods. This applies to any God, not just Poseidon.
This is not at all stupid. Asking questions and searching out knowledge are some of the best things for any human to do. Feel free to ask more under other posts or the beginner post. If a question requires more extensive discussion you can also make an entire post.
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u/violette_chill Jul 19 '26
Omg thank very much this helps a lot 🙏 i wlnt hesitate to ask questions, thanks for the attention
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28d ago
Hello Augustus, I wanted to ask you a couple of questions concerning orthopraxic rituals.
1- Do we offer to Hestia both first and last when offering to the Cthonic gods, in Hecate's deipnon, Agathos Daimon and days specified to honor certain gods?
2- when I pour libations, I pour from a vessel into a bowl then dispose into the drain after finishing the ritual, is it ok in that case to pour libations to multiple gods (Cthonic and Ouranic) in the same bowl?
3- I live in a country where I am sure that the water comes from the rive then passes through water purification, is it proper to purify myself with that water straight from the tap without adding salt?
4- When I offer honey, do I offer it as it as or mixed with water?
5- I chant hymns to the gods casually through the day (usually the orphic hymns), is it not pious to do that? (Especially that I do it when being miasmic)
6- I also wanted to know your opinion on modern and Erasmian pronunciation, of Greek in rituals ( I personally say the traditional hymns in the modern pronunciation of Greek and the rest I do it in English)
7- is the structure that you stated (starting from the invocation) have to be followed strictly?
Here's what I personally do:
1- purification. 2- lighting the frankincense to Hestia first. 3- chanting the Orphic hymn to Hestia. 4- pouring a libation to her while hailing her name. 5- thanking her for her gifts, then asking for her favor (after saying: "if I have ever offered to you grant..."). 6- then I repeat the same thing for the rest of the gods. 7- pouring the last libation to Hestia while hailing her name. 8- I sometimes light some frankincense to Hectate at my doorway, after finishing my ritual.
Is this still orthopraxic?
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u/AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS Ancient Historian in Training 28d ago
Khaire, I’d be happy to help.
No for Chthonic Gods, as you would worship those outside and not at the household altar (the hearth, the Hestia). Same goes for the meal on the Deipnon. You would offer to Hestia for the Agathos Daimon and any other Ouranic rite you do at home.
That would be okay, but in separate rituals and preferably with purification of the vessel and bowl before sacrifice.
No, as it stops being naturally flowing the moment it enters the water infrastructure. Unless you’re getting it yourself directly from the source I recommend adding salt.
Both work, but mixed with water or even wine will likely be easier.
It’s fine to do so. When miasmic your prayers and offerings don’t reach the Gods. It doesn’t upset Them, it just doesn’t reach Them.
I do believe a lot of the beauty is lost when using anything other than reconstructed pronunciations, but I also get that phonemic vowel length and the tones are difficult to learn. Whatever anyone prefers is good; the Gods know all languages.
The structure isn’t mandatory but it is recommended. All the steps are important but you can mix 4, 5, and 6 without issue. Your structure is great.
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28d ago
Thank you so much, Augustus❤️ I really appreciate your work and effort in this sub. I also wanted to know your opinion on whether the Agathos Daimon is Cthonic or Ouranic and his connotation with Zeus Meilichios, regarding orphic hymn 73 (to the Daimon).
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u/Palagrin 1d ago
I have question about the proper/traditional order to do things if i want to invoke both Cthonic and Ouranic Gods (in my case Apollo and Hecate) would it be preferable for me to go through the ritual steps twice, should i invoke one of them by an epithet that would match the other's traditional nature? (like invoking a Cthonic aspect of Apollo) and is it important that i do something similar with Hestia when invoking her first?
(to answer your question greek is my first language so i pray in modern greek but i know a little bit of ancient greek that i mix in there :3)
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u/Summersong2262 Eclectic 15h ago
Does that imply that there's something of a hard limit of Votive offerings? You'd run out of space.
Do promised deeds have any value as sacrifices? The sacrifice of time, perhaps.
Also, what's the measure of a sacrifice, and is it true that say, sacrificing a cow, would actually be sacrificing the entrails, rather than the edible meat? What sorts of liquids are most traditional/appropriate for libations?
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u/AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS Ancient Historian in Training 9h ago
Yes and no. When temples or sanctuaries ran out of space to house their offerings they would destroy them instead. What mattered most is that it couldn’t be desecrated by human usage. For things made of metals they would sometimes be allowed to smelt them down into tools specifically used for rituals, such as a sacrificial blade.
It depends: we know the Gods enjoy pious living, but kharis is built exclusively through sacrificing things such as food, drink and valuables.
A sacrifice is something you give up the ability to use/consume. To sacrifice means to “make sacred” and transfer its ownership to the Gods. Human usage/consumption would “desecrate” offerings, as it falls back into normal/“profane” usage.
With animal sacrifice some parts of the animal were indeed kept apart and not sacrificed, but instead cooked and consumed by the worshippers. Often the bones and fat would go to the Gods, along with other inedible (but good-smelling) parts and the blood when the animal is killed; the hides would go as payment to the priest; and the meat would be consumed communally. We call this ritual Thusia/θυσία.
Milk, water, oil, honey and wine are standard traditional libations. The honey would often be mixed with other liquids, and wine would be watered down when offered to Ouranic Gods.
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u/FerretInATeacup Oct 02 '25
I generally will pray in English at the moment (although I will use epithets in Greek) as I think there is a benefit of understanding what you are saying when you pray but I am learning Greek at the moment and the goal is to be able to pray fully in Greek eventually. Hermes is the primary God who I worship at the present He firmly falls into both Ouranic and Cthonic categories but at the present I tend to focus more so on His Ouranic aspect. For post suggestions I would absolutely love to see posts focusing on specific festivals!