A small group of Greek pagans turned up at the Acropolis recently to hold a protest prayer against the construction of the controversial museum at the base of the Parthenon.

Although the Greek Culture Ministry forbids ceremonies of any sort at archeological sites, the group, which earlier this year staged the first known ceremony of its kind in 1,600 years at the temple of Zeus, managed to infiltrate the site, while hundreds of curious passers-by looked on.

Recent Pagan ceremony at Zeus temple

Costumed in long white robes, the pagans gathered before the east wing of the temple's imposing Corinthian columns and prayed to Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and patron saint of Athens, asking her to protect the Parthenon from further destruction.

"Oh, goddess," chanted high priestess Doretta Peppa, "we are ready to defend your grounds . . . we ask of you to protect this site, this city and its civilization, and to rid it of all evils such as the deconstruction of the Acropolis."

The short ceremony was organized by Ellinais, an Athens-based group that recently won a court battle for state recognition of the ancient religion. The group is now demanding that the government allow it to perform weddings and other rites.

"The new museum," the priestess said to the crowd, "is a monumental eyesore, an architectural monstrosity within the most traditional and archeologically-rich part of Athens. It is an insult to our heritage, and if we start deconstructing our monuments for the sake of filling up a museum, then what will we be left with?"

 
Rendering of new museum

 Due to open early next year, the multi-million euro New Acropolis Museum is being constructed after years of delays and fierce criticism over its location, hulking size and incongruous style on the fringe of Athens' old district of Plaka.

However, government officials have claimed the new museum will draw triple the number of visitors to the Acropolis to more than 3.5 million a year.

More importantly, officials hope the new museum will enhance Greece’s chances of displaying the Elgin Marbles, a collection of sculptures removed from the Parthenon in the early 19th century and currently housed in the British Museum in London.