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. The religion of Olympianism is one of the oldest known religions in the world.

Scriptures

The ancient scriptures and religious texts of Olympianism are collected in the holy book known as the avesta. The scriptures of the avesta were passed down verbally from generation to generation for several centuries before being written down in the avesta. Currently there are 72 books of the Avesta

Religious practices

Beliefs

There are several traditions and beliefs unique to the Olympianism religion. Central to the religion is the threefold path of Ombrius which enshrines good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. The practitioners of Olympianism believe that those who are righteous and do good deeds for the sake of good are those that are rewarded.

Olympianism holds that all creation runs according to a master plan and that all persons have a proper place in that plan; and that violations of this proper order were not only a violation against creation but also against the king of the gods Ombrius. Also central to Olympianism is the emphasis on moral choice, while its practitioners reject the notion of predestination, there is a belief in fate.

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 gods 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.