The essence of the polytheistic beliefs of pagans in Pseudo-Justin's "Oratio ad graecos"

This article discusses the criticism of the ancient Church writer Pseudo-Justin regarding the nature of pagan religion. The main emphasis is on the controversy of an anonymous author with the fundamental elements of decrepit paganism: Hellenic mythology and pagan solemn holidays. Appealing to the inner sanctum of polytheism, to pagan theology, which is expressed in mythology, the ancient church writer strongly condemns the anthropomorphism of pagan polytheistic beliefs, exposes the immoral deeds of deities and the outrageous crimes of mythological characters, their passionate morals and adulteries, anthropophagy, battles, vindictiveness, and a whole host of other evil deeds. Hellenic feasts induce intemperance and depravity and generate a sinful lifestyle. In his apologetic work, Pseudo-Justin insistently recommends that pagan society, like him, hate and reject its religious prejudices its bestowing of divine honors on dishonest mythological heroes and gods and, instead, to turn to a truly virtuous way of life and the knowledge of the almighty “Word of God,” the one Creator of the universe