Whatever the deficiencies of my own religious viewpoint may be, and however I may be blind to them, one thing I can say with certainty is that I'm not so arrogant as to think my ideas and my own practices are the only way to a particular god, or even the best way to a particular god, but instead are simply the best way I've currently found to accomplish and deepen the relationship to the god or gods in question. Though I will defend my own right to practice and believe as I wish, and I will likewise wish the same for others, I will never force another to do or to think exactly as I do. How many monotheists can say that?
Before we close, I'm sure readers would like to know if you have any writing projects currently in progress.
Hundreds of them! (And that's not too much of an exaggeration!) I have some ongoing academic research on Antinous and a variety of other subjects that I'm doing, but I am also in the process of producing several books relating to Antinous, and to modern Pagan theology. The first of these came out in October, The Syncretisms of Antinous under the Ekklesía Antínoou's new publishing imprint, The Red Lotus Library. I'm also hoping to put out another sole-authored book of devotional poetry for many gods (many more than were in The Phillupic Hymns!) in the next few years, in addition to ongoing poetic contributions to the various Bibliotheca Alexandrina devotional anthologies and other such collections (including the forthcoming ones to Zeus, the Dioskouroi, and Pan), and occasional essays and articles for similar publications.
The blog, Aedicula Antinoi, is also ongoing, and is often the sandbox wherein I experiment with particular writing ideas. I'm also working on a graphic novel relating to Antinous, syncretisms, and afterlives, and while the writing of that may be done within a year or so, the artwork might take even several artists an entire lifetime . . . who knows? Nonetheless, it's yet another project I'm engaged with at present. I love to write (except when I don't!), and as I have some talent for it, and for the use of research and synthesizing of diverse academic approaches in my devotional considerations, I feel that using these talents for the benefit of my gods through educating others and also getting the word out there about some deities more widely (particularly ones that are lesser known or appreciated) is an important part of my own devotional work.
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Your work with Antinous and on His behalf is inspiring to us all.
Those who wish to learn more about P. Sufenas Virius Lupus and his work should check out his blog andNeos Alexandria.
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