Olympianism

Olympianism is a religion originating from Mesogeia. The religions of Olympianism is polytheistic in nature with its practitioners believing in many deities, reverence to the ancestors, as well as religious sacrifice.

Religious practices

Sacrifice

In the Romaican language the word sacrificium refers to refers to a ritual that renders something sacred. Sacrifices are essential to the old religion because they are believed to reinforce the powers of divine beings.

The practitioners of Olympianism like their ancient counterparts believe that animal sacrifice was the most potent offering to give to the gods; this included domesticated animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs. The King and Queen of the dogs were required white infertile animals of their own sex while other deities were offered fertile animals.

Domestic and private cult

In the Mesogeian household the paterfamilias is the master of the house in all things (having in ancient times the power of life and death over his family members), presently a family's paterfamilias duties include the tending to the family's lares, domestic penates, and the family's ancestral genius. Meanwhile the materfamilias was responsible for the family's household cult to Oikia, goddess of the hearth.

Religious hierarchy

The religion of Olympianism is organized in a strict hierarchal structure which formed the basis for the later Mesogeian Orthodox Church. At the very top of the religious structure is the Pontifex Maximus, the High Priest of the religion. Below the Pontifex Maximus are four flamines maiores (three major priests and one priest tending to the Imperial cult); below them the twelve flamines minores (lesser priests), below them the Augers (local priests responsible for interpreting the will of the gods).

The religious hierarchy includes a separate structure for women of which the highest ranking member is the Estialis Maxima, the chief of the Estian Virgins, a council of seven virgin priestesses responsible for tending to the sacred flames.