Archive for: Scotland on Sunday

Pagans fight for divine rights of old Greek gods in Greece

Sep 21st, 2003

Pagans fight for divine rights of old Greek gods in Greece

Scotland on Sunday Sun 21 Sep 2003 Pagans fight for divine rights of old Greek gods MATTHEW BRUNWASSER IN LITOCHORO, GREECE IN THE shadow of Mount Olympus the toga-clad worshippers sway to the beating of a drum as the bearded man leading the ceremony throws a pinch of grain into a torch, then circles his hand above the flames. While the group, dressed in yellow, red and blue robes, may appear to be taking part in some bewildering historical re-enactment, they are members a growing pagan movement dedicated to resurrecting the religion and way of life of ancient Greece.

Sep 7th, 2003

Exiles bring Greek guilt home

“‘Laws still prevent Pomaks living outside their traditional villages’” Published Date: 07 September 2003 By MATTHEW BRUNWASSER IN THESSALONIKI THEY were sent into exile and scattered to every corner of the world. For more than half a century the Macedonian Diaspora cast out of Greece during the country’s bloody civil war have been barred from returning to their homeland. Now the army of elderly refugees has been granted a temporary homecoming, if not the return of the money and property seized during the savage conflict that pitted them against their fellow countrymen. Greece is finally facing up to its history of ‘ethnic cleansing’ and beginning the process of extending full rights to its minorities, who faced decades of persecution and discrimination under successive oppressive regimes and right-wing dictatorships.