The culture of Greece is one that is rich and historic. Greece has been an important part of aspects of culture, medicine, science and philosophy.  In this section you will find helpful articles about many aspects of Greek culture, including modern Greek history, ancient Greek history, Greek mythology and much more!

St. Alexis Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

There is no doubt that the lives of the saints are important to the Orthodox Church. We celebrate the lives of the saints throughout the year on each of their feast ... Read More

How Echo Lost Her Speech (To An Echo)

The story of the nymph Echo has helped shaped the modern definition of “echo” which is the copy of another sound. Like with many Greek myths that involve unrequi... Read More

City-States Make Ancient Greece Vulnerable to Attack

Unlike Modern Greece, Ancient Greece was made up of several city-states, which ruled themselves. While they weren’t united politically, they did have some things i... Read More

The Vengeful Nature of Hera – Queen of the Gods

In Ancient Greek mythology, it seems that the gods and goddesses were either virgins or they constantly cheated on each other. Zeus, the king of the gods, is especia... Read More

Marathon – The Ultimate Race Has Its Roots in Ancient Greece

Do you know anyone people who have run a marathon? They train for months in order to complete this 26. 2-mile race. For many, it’s the ultimate test of endurance a... Read More

St. Xenia Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

It’s true that learning about the saints is an important part of Orthodox Christianity. These individuals are all looked at as examples as to how Christians sh... Read More

St. Anthony Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

Learning about the lives of the saints is an important part of being an Orthodox Christian. In fact, celebrating the lives of the saints is a regular part of our chu... Read More

St. Leo Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

There are a lot of people who played important roles in the early days of the Orthodox Church. Those individuals who stand out as having the greatest impact are fore... Read More

St. Tatiana Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

Knowing about the lives of the saints is an important part of being an Orthodox Christian. Not only are their lives a vital part of our church history, but they are ... Read More

The Mycenaean Fall and the Beginning of the Dark Ages

As Chaucer wrote, “All good things must come to an end.” His words couldn’t be truer for the Mycenaeans. After having been the as the reigning civilization in ... Read More

King Midas Should Have Been Careful With His Wishes

Ever hear the phrase, “Be careful what you wish for, it might just come true”? The poster child for this phrase could be King Midas, the King of Phrygia. King Mi... Read More

The Mycenaean Takeover of Troy Didn’t Last Long

For roughly 500 years, the Mycenaeans dominated Greece. Taking over from the Minoans, the Mycenaeans built cities, established trade with other settlements in the Me... Read More

The Decline of the Hittites Marked the Fall of the Mycenaeans

The Mycenaean civilization thrived throughout what is now modern day Greece for over 500 years thanks to their appetite for war and conquest and the strength the gai... Read More

How Odysseus Tricked Polyphemus the Cyclops to Escape

As if the Trojan War wasn’t enough for Odysseus to deal with. Odysseus was arguably the hero of the Trojan War, since he was the mastermind behind the sneaky plan ... Read More

The History of the Monastery of Daphni

The modern city of Athens has more than its fair share of Byzantine jewels. However, just on the outskirts of the city stands one of the most famous and remarkable B... Read More

Cape Sounion and The Temple of Poseidon

Forty-five miles south east of the heart of modern Athens, the historic Attica peninsula comes to an end in a craggy rocky cliff that juts into the middle of the sea... Read More

The History of The Temple of Aphaia

Just outside the capital city of Athens is the island of Aegina [Grk: Αίγινα], one of the Saronic Islands that are closest to the city in the Saronic Gulf. The... Read More

Atalanta Was No Match For Aphrodite’s Powers

King Iasus believed that all kings deserved a son, not a daughter. So when his daughter Atalanta was born, he was angry. Despite the queen’s persistence, King Iasu... Read More

Phaethon’s Wild Ride Through the Sky

Helios, the sun god, had an extremely important job. Every morning at dawn, he got into his golden chariot that was pulled by four fiery horses. He rose into the sky... Read More

The Unusual Creatures of Greek Mythology

Greek myths are often about the gods and goddesses and the human heroes that had superhuman talents and completed near impossible tasks. However, you’ll also notic... Read More

How Eris’ Jealousy Started the Trojan War

The Trojan War was a bloody battle between the Greeks and the city of Troy that lasted for 10 years. According to Greek mythology, the initial cause of the war was t... Read More

The Minoans vs. The Mycenaeans

Rise to Power The Minoans The Minoans built their empire on trade. They were experts at travel and made connections with many neighboring civilizations. They traded ... Read More

The Planets’ Relationship with Greek Mythology

If you’re ever looking for a dose of Greek mythology, simply go outside at night and look up. Remember, the Greek gods and goddesses lived high up in the sky on Mo... Read More

The Beginning of Mycenaean Culture

The Mycenaeans were one of the earliest civilizations in Ancient Greece. It is widely held that the Mycenaean Civilization partially overlapped, and then eventually ... Read More

The Human Heroes of Greek Mythology

Greek mythology isn’t just about gods and goddesses. Myths also focus on humans that were considered to be heroes, meaning that they did important things and were ... Read More

The Holy Fire and the Roots of the Celebration of Pascha

  On Easter Saturday, Orthodox churches across the world are completely darkened and jam-packed with Orthodox faithful waiting to ‘receive the light’. In a ... Read More

What The Sky Gods Mean to Greek Mythology

The Titan lord of light,  and his wife Theia gave birth to the three gods that control the lightness and the darkness of the sky: Helios, Selene, and Eos. Helios He... Read More

Rouketopolemos – The Greek Rocket War

Greek Easter is known affectionately for many of its uniquely elaborate and historic traditions, whether they are eggs dyed blood red or a lamb roasting on your fron... Read More

All About Hades and the Underworld

After Zeus and his brothers, Poseidon and Hades, defeated the Titans they divided up the world. Zeus became the God of the Skies, Poseidon became the God of the Sea,... Read More

The Sculpting of the Parthenon

The Parthenon has stood atop the Acropolis of Athens for 2,500 years as the crowning achievement and legacy of the Golden Age of the ancient city-state of Athens. De... Read More

The Story of Pandora’s Box

The story of Pandora’s box begins with the story of Zeus, Prometheus, and Epimetheus. Prometheus and his brother Epimetheus were Titans but pledged their loyalty t... Read More

The History of the Parthenon in Athens Greece

The Parthenon was built over 2500 years ago, and it has been part of the Athenian skylines ever since. Standing atop a limestone rock almost 500 feet tall is the Ac... Read More

Creating the First Creatures to Live on Earth

The Greek mythology story of creation on Earth begins with the story of Prometheus and Epimetheus, the Titan children and grandsons of Mother Earth. Prometheus was b... Read More

The Rocky Relationship of Zeus and Hera

Zeus, the king of the gods of Mount Olympus, had many relationships but it was his sister, Hera, whom he wanted to rule by his side as his wife. Hera, the goddess of... Read More

Meet the Twelve Olympians

After Zeus and his brothers and sisters defeated the Titans, they ruled the universe. Zeus became the king of the gods because of his wisdom and strength and each of... Read More

How the Olympians Defeated the Titans

  Many of us think that the main gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece are those who lived on Mount Olympus. While this is true, Greek mythology also has a set o... Read More

An Introduction to Greek Mythology

The Greek word “mythos” means story and Greek mythology is a group of fictional stories that were created thousands of years ago by the ancient Greek people. Eve... Read More

Greek History Spotlight – The Fall of the Minoans

Even though the Minoan civilization thrived for thousands of years on the modern-day island of Crete, sometime between 1600 and 1400 BC, the society collapsed which ... Read More

Greek History Spotlight – The Minoans

Most of us know the legendary stories of King Minos, the Minotaur, and Daedalus, and other characters from Greek Mythology. As it turns out, the stories themselves c... Read More

Ἀθῆναι. Ἀθήνα. Athina. Athens?

How Greece’s National Capital Got Its Name When it comes to ancient cities, there is always a popular myth of how the cities were founded or how they got their nam... Read More

Orthodox Saint David History and Name Day Information

Greek Orthodox Christians really value the lives of the saints. As a result of this, many are named after the saints. The saints are so important, in fact, that many... Read More

Orthodox Saint Cleopas History and Name Day Information

When it comes to the Orthodox Christian Church, the saints are honored on a regular basis. It is a fairly common practice for Orthodox Christians to be named after o... Read More

St. James Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

Saint James, also referred to as Apostles James or James, Son of Zebedee, is one of the Twelve Apostles, or the original twelve who followed Christ and were called t... Read More

St. Matthew Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

In the Orthodox Christian Church, people celebrate their name days with even more festivity than their own birthdays. It is a great honor to be named after one of th... Read More

Aristaeus – Greek Minor God of Beekeeping

At first glance, it may not seem as if Aristaeus played an important role in Greek mythology. However, he did have an important place because he devoted himself to a... Read More

Saint Dionysius the Areopagite Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

Knowing about the saints is an integral part of the Orthodox Christian Church and each of the saints has his or her own dedicated feast day. Those who are named afte... Read More

Saint Barnabas Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

When it comes to the Orthodox Christian Church, there is no doubt that the saints are important. Not only are people regularly named after the saints, but many churc... Read More

Saint Athanasius Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

The saints are an important part of the life of Orthodox Christians. Their lives are regularly studies and celebrated, and some are even named after them. They are h... Read More

Saint Methodius Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

The saints of the Orthodox Christian Church have all played a role in the development of the church. They’re so important that their lives are celebrated throu... Read More

Saint Cyril Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

The lives of the saints are important to Orthodox Christians and we diligently remember the saints throughout the year. Some are even named after the saints and thos... Read More

Saint Gregory Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

It’s true that learning about thee saints is important to Orthodox Christians, and celebrating their lives is an integral part of the church calendar. Most of the ... Read More

Saint Joanna Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

There are many saints who have been part of the history of the Orthodox Church. These saints were alive during various times of our church history, and many of them ... Read More

Saint Theodosia Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

The saints are a big part of the history of the Orthodox Church, and their lives are regularly celebrated throughout the calendar year. Each saint has his or her own... Read More

Saint Justin Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

It’s so true that learning about the saints is a big part of being an Orthodox Christian. Celebrating the lives of the saints is also a regular part of the church ... Read More

Saint Irene Chrysovalantou Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

The saints are an important part of the Orthodox Christian Church, and their lives are celebrated throughout the year. Many of the saints were alive during the early... Read More

St. Thaddeus Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

There’s no doubt that the saints are an important part of Orthodox Christianity. We learn about them and celebrate them throughout the year during their feast ... Read More

St. Benedict Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

There’s no doubt that the saints are important to Orthodox Christians. Each saint has his or her own feast day and these are celebrated around the same time ea... Read More

St. Joachim Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

There’s no doubt that the saints are important to the Orthodox Church. We study the lives of the saints because their stories are important to the history of the c... Read More

St. Matrona Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

All of the saints are important to Orthodox Church. We study their lives and learn about them as a way to understand how to best live our lives. The saints are so im... Read More

About The Battle of Sphacteria

Battle of Sphacteria took place in Ancient Greece during the Sicilian Wars. This battle dates back to 425 B.C.E., a fight between the Athens and Sparta for land duri... Read More