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Zalmoxianism (Romanian:Zalmoxianism) orZamolxianism[1] (Romanian:Zamolxianism) is aNeopagan movement inRomania which promotes the rebuilding of anethnic religion and spirituality of theRomanians through a process of reconnection to their ancientDacian andThracian roots.[2] The religion takes its name fromZalmoxis or Zamolxe, at the same time the name of the primordial god and thearchetype of the enlightened man inPaleo-Balkan mythology. Scholars Bakó and Hubbes (2011) have defined Zalmoxianism, like the other ethnic religious revivals ofEurope, as areconstructionist ethno-paganism.[3]
The reconstruction of ancientDacian and Thracian religion and mythology has been strictly connected with the field ofdacology.[4] Amongst contemporary supporters of Zalmoxianism, the emigrantdacologist Octavian Sărbătoare even proposed to make it the official religion ofRomania.[5]
The "Gebeleizis Society" (Romanian:Societatea Gebeleizis), though far from being the only Zalmoxian group in Romania, has been the most studied formation.[6] It has 500 members split into 15 branches.[7] The core values of the organisation are expressed by its motto "One Family, One Nation, One Territory" (Romanian:O Familie, Un Neam, Un Teritoriu);[8] for the ideas promoted, the Gebeleizis Society has been subject of media scandal, and accused ofextremism.[9]
Another group is theZamolxe, based inBucharest, whose high priest is Alexandru Mihail. They worship the old Thraco-Dacian pantheon of gods, and claim that the name "Zalmoxis" comes fromzamol, meaning "earth".[10]
The Eastern Pagan Front (Romanian:Frontul Păgân de Răsărit), is a Romanian Zalmoxian group based inBucharest, which's purpose consists "in the investigation, research and recovery of old traditions, of authentic Thracian-Dacian values, their knowledge and the raising of new generations of ethnic Romanians in the spirit of Zalmoxianism".
The group largely operated onTelegram, often posting paragraphs, photos, and more with ananti-Christian sentiment and a pro-Pagan perspective. They were at times recognized as aNational-Socialist group, known for its pro-folkish outlook on Paganism.
As of late 2025, the group is no longer operational on the internet, with itsTelegram andYoutube channels having been deleted by the group's owners. Despite the group no longer being active on the internet as a whole, it continues to maintain a physical presence and an archive of some of its posts in a founder's ownTelegram channel. The group was mentioned by theElie Wiesel National Institute for Studying the Holocaust in Romania in its "report of monitorization of Anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial in the electoral year 2024-2025".
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