What we do

Not much is known of the Orphic mysteries, as, in keeping with the practices of mystery cults, their “dromena,” what was said and done, were not revealed, leaving us with little knowledge of what transpired within their boundaries. However, the fragments and clues left behind provoke and inspire the imagination.

What then is Orphism’s relevance to our lives today? Orphism was a system of sacred rituals, a system which abolished the bonds which hold the soul prisoner within the body. The Orphic believer changes shape without changing substance - that is identity. Many of us seek freedom from the bonds of mundane and superficial ways of living, from the masks we wear in our daily lives and from imposed social norms. We look for ways to reach more natural and profound aspects of being, of living a life in line with our core identity. One could go as far as to say that all healing and transformative experiences involve contact with this core identity, with our soul.

Most of us lack connection to the ways of Orphism. One simple reason for this is that we were not brought up with them. Nevertheless, in all of us there is a world of images and symbols just below the surface of our conscious perception. Beneath our everyday sensory experience, there lies a deeper capacity to sense that which is not obvious. Underneath the ever-changing landscape of our emotional states is a doorway to union with the divine. Through connecting with these innate faculties which we all possess, with the right intent and conditions, we can expand our sphere of awareness and build bridges between us and the ancient texts.

All ancient rituals were group activities. The Orphic Hymns were performed for gatherings of initiates and it was the collective dynamic that acted as a catalyst for the mystical experience. We follow this model and together we set out to explore Orphism and its history as well as its continuing influence on religion and culture today. Through ritual and invocation, through sound and movement we engage the senses, emotions and imagination so that we may open up to the realm of myth and mystery within ourselves. We also visit the ancient Greek temples and archaeological sites for on-site learning and reflection. It is our wish that the teachings of Orphism can serve as a vehicle for self-discovery and to help those that join us find ways to invite the soul back into their lives.

The Orphic Center is based in Athens, Greece in Thission, at the foothills of the Parthenon. See our events page for any upcoming activities.