Celebrating Other Spirituality 365 Days A Year– Panathenaea

9-16 July

Panathenaea

The Panathenaea (all-Athens) was celebrated annually inMidsummer. Instituted by the Athenian tyrant Pisistratus in the mid-500s B.C.,the festival served as a national religious holiday that celebrated thebirthday of Athena-the city’s patron Goddess. During the weeklong celebration,there were sacrifices, sports competitions, and a procession of citizens. Everyfourth year the festival was especially elaborate

and called the Great Panathenaea, during which theprocession of citizens would carry a new pelops, or lady’s gown, up to theAthenian Acropolis. The gown was then offered up to the ancient olive wood statueof Athena.

Athena

Athena the warrior Goddess was admired for herintelligence and dislike of senseless violence and was adept at the art ofpeace. The patroness of architects, sculptors, spinners, and weavers, Athenawas the proctor of all towns, especially Athens, of which she was the patrondeity. The most notably celibate of the Greek Goddesses, Athena’s symbolsinclude the owl, olive tree, spear, shield, chariot, and flute. Her colors aregold, blue, and olive green, and she is associated with the number 9 and 25,