Q: I heard that early
Christianity was a mystery religion in Rome . Is this true and does anyone know any of the
characteristics of mystery religions? (I know that they were a secret but has
anything come out about them?) Was it a
popular one, like were there many Romans who joined it? Also did mystery religions have supernatural
events that happened, as I read that in some mystery religions, people would
enter the spirit world or supernatural realm.
Anyway, I hope that made sense, and thanks for any help.
Anyway, I hope that made sense, and thanks for any help.
A: The main focus of the most important rituals of the ancient mystery religions, as far as we know, was the revelation of some secret act or ritual object with deep symbolic meaning for those trained in the belief system of the religion. This took place toward the end of a lengthy and elaborate ritual. This revelation was often intended to produce a specific spiritual or emotional effect on the initiates that were experiencing it for the first time. They were then sworn to keep this ritual a secret, and in most cases they did, as we are still ignorant of most of the core mysteries today.