In ancient Greece, the gods Hermes and Apollo were worshipped through various ceremonies that involved sexual acts between priests and priestesses. These acts served multiple purposes, including communicating divine favor, reinforcing social hierarchies, and integrating eroticism into religious rituals. One way in which sexual acts were used to communicate divine favor was through the offering of virgin maidens as sacrificial victims during festivals dedicated to these deities. After being purified, the women would be brought before the god's statue and made to perform sexual acts with the high priest, who would then present their blood to the altar. This act symbolized the god's acceptance of the sacrifice and showed his approval of the union between the priest and the temple.
Another way in which sexual acts were used to reinforce social hierarchies was through the practice of sacred marriage. In this ritual, a man would marry a priestess representing the goddess Athena and engage in sexual activity with her for a year. The ceremony symbolized the union of the king and the city, with the king acting as the god and the priestess serving as his consort. This helped to cement the ruler's power and legitimacy by linking him to the divine.
Sexual acts also played an important role in integrating eroticism into religious ritual. During some festivals, participants would engage in orgiastic activities, such as dancing naked around a bonfire while singing hymns praising the god. These rituals created a sense of intimacy and community among worshippers, strengthening their bonds to the god and each other.
The use of phallic symbols and imagery in art and architecture associated with these gods further emphasized the link between sex and divinity.
The psychological experience of participating in these ceremonies varied widely depending on individual beliefs and circumstances. Some participants may have viewed the sexual acts as a means of connecting with the divine, while others may have seen them as simply part of a larger cultural tradition. Regardless of their motivations, the rituals served to create a powerful bond between individuals and the gods they worshipped, reinforcing social norms and creating a strong sense of belonging within Greek society.