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28-431: A mystagogue or hierophant is a holder and teacher of secret knowledge in the former sense above, while mysticism may be defined as an area of philosophical or religious thought focusing on mysteries in the latter sense. The mystery religions of antiquity were religious cults which required initiation to be accepted as new member. Some had different levels of initiation, as well as doctrines which were mysteries in

56-698: A "sacrament". However, they believe that "He is more specifically and intensively present in [those] particular and reliable manners which He Himself has established," i.e., in the Sacred Mysteries. Kallistos Ware stated in The Orthodox Way : A mystery is [...] revealed for our understanding, but which we never understand exhaustively because it leads into the depth or the darkness of God. The eyes are closed - but they are also opened. Mystagogue A mystagogue (from Greek : μυσταγωγός , mystagogos, "person who initiates into mysteries")

84-915: Is mysterium fidei , "mystery of faith", defined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1997) to mean a mystery hidden in God, which can never be known unless revealed by God. In the Roman Catholic Church the First Vatican Council re-affirmed the existence of mysteries as a doctrine of Catholic faith as follows: "If any one say that in Divine Revelation there are contained no mysteries properly so called ( vera et proprie dicta mysteria ), but that through reason rightly developed ( per rationem rite excultam ) all

112-428: Is a person who initiates others into mystic beliefs, and an educator or person who has knowledge of the sacred mysteries of a belief system. Another word for mystagogue is hierophant . In ancient mystery religions , a mystagogue would be responsible for leading an initiate into the secret teachings and rituals of a cultus . The initiate would often be blindfolded, and the mystagogue would literally "guide" him into

140-428: Is a person who initiates others into mystic beliefs, and an educator or person who has knowledge of the sacred mysteries of a belief system. Another word for mystagogue is hierophant . In ancient mystery religions , a mystagogue would be responsible for leading an initiate into the secret teachings and rituals of a cultus . The initiate would often be blindfolded, and the mystagogue would literally "guide" him into

168-469: Is used 27 times in the New Testament . Strong's Concordance defines Greek word mysterion (Strongs # 3466) "not as something unknowable, but rather a secret, that which can only be known through revelation, i.e. because God reveals it." Its meaning is less expressed by the modern usage of mystery (what is not understood) than by the word mystical (beyond understanding). In the biblical Greek ,

196-600: The Age of Persecution ended, secrecy was gradually relaxed. But the term continued to be used, and the same word is used in the Eastern Orthodox churches to mean both "mysteries" and "sacraments". This is not usually so in the West, although theologically many aspects of sacraments are recognized as mysteries in the main sense described above, especially (for those churches accepting it) the doctrine of transubstantiation in

224-655: The Eucharist . Hence Pope Paul VI 's papal encyclical of 3 September 1965 on the Eucharist was titled, from its opening words, Mysterium fidei . In the Roman Rite Catholic Mass within or immediately after the formula of consecration of the wine, the celebrant says "The mystery of faith". Originally the term "Mystery" was used for the sacraments generally in both the East and the West, as shown from

252-470: The " Mystagogical Homilies" of St. Cyril of Jerusalem and the work, On the Mysteries by St. Ambrose of Milan . Although all the official doctrines of Christian churches have long been fully public, the loosely defined area of Christian thought called Christian mysticism often concerns the contemplation of sacred mysteries and may include the development of personal theories about them, undertaken in

280-545: The Holy Spirit mysteriously and invisibly confers Grace (the saving power of God) upon man". Orthodox instructional materials may list seven sacred mysteries, the same as the Western seven sacraments (Western names in parentheses): Baptism , Chrismation (Confirmation), Confession (Penance, Reconciliation), Holy Communion (Eucharist), Marriage (Holy Matrimony), Ordination (Holy Orders), and Unction (Anointing of

308-640: The Mysteries in such precise terms. And, although the Western Church teaches that the consecrated bread and wine of the Eucharist are one sacrament, the Divine Liturgy refers to the Eucharist as the Mysteries , in the plural. Orthodox Christians have always received Holy Communion in both species (both the body and the blood ), and even reserve both in the tabernacle . The sacred mysteries can be defined as "those holy acts through which

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336-525: The Sick, formerly Extreme Unction). However, in Orthodox theology the term is not limited to these seven. As in the West, all faithful men are expected to receive six of the seven listed above, and may or may not receive either marriage or ordination, or both; women may not be received into the priesthood, but may be given monastic orders. Christian life is centered in the mystery of the incarnation of Christ ,

364-415: The boons of salvation." According to Roy Wallis: "The primary criterion that Weber had in mind in distinguishing the prophet from the mystagogue was that the latter offers a largely magical means of salvation rather than proclaiming a radical religious ethic or an example to be followed." Mystagogue A mystagogue (from Greek : μυσταγωγός , mystagogos, "person who initiates into mysteries")

392-403: The catechumen had been baptized. The most famous of these mystagogical works are the "Mystagogical Homilies" of St. Cyril of Jerusalem , and the work, "On the Mysteries" by St. Ambrose of Milan . In various organizations, it is the role of the mystagogue to "mystify" pledges. The term is sometimes used to refer to a person who guides people through religious sites, such as churches, and explains

420-403: The catechumen had been baptized. The most famous of these mystagogical works are the "Mystagogical Homilies" of St. Cyril of Jerusalem , and the work, "On the Mysteries" by St. Ambrose of Milan . In various organizations, it is the role of the mystagogue to "mystify" pledges. The term is sometimes used to refer to a person who guides people through religious sites, such as churches, and explains

448-616: The dogmas of faith can be understood and demonstrated from natural principles: let him be anathema " (Sess. III, De fide et ratione , can. i). The position, if not the terminology, of other Christian churches is essentially the same. In parts of the Early Christian Church , many aspects of Christian theology, including some sacraments and sacramentals , the so-called disciplina arcani , were kept hidden from pagans lest they become objects of ridicule, and were also introduced gradually to catechumens or new converts. As

476-601: The knowledge that they can never be fully apprehended by man. The term is used in Eastern Christianity to refer to what the Western Church currently calls sacraments and sacramentals , terms which the Western Church has carefully defined in canon law . Thus, for instance, the Council of Trent declared there to be exactly seven sacraments . The Eastern Churches , in contrast, have never defined

504-446: The organization is not questioned. In a way similar to that of some Native American traditions, the mystagogue in the fraternity system has the power to shut down parts of the fraternity which are not in keeping with customs or tradition . Max Weber , considered to be one of the founders of the modern study of sociology , described the mystagogue as part magician and part prophet, and as one who dispensed "magical actions that contain

532-446: The organization is not questioned. In a way similar to that of some Native American traditions, the mystagogue in the fraternity system has the power to shut down parts of the fraternity which are not in keeping with customs or tradition . Max Weber , considered to be one of the founders of the modern study of sociology , described the mystagogue as part magician and part prophet, and as one who dispensed "magical actions that contain

560-495: The sacred space. In the early Christian church , this same concept was used to describe role of the bishop , who was responsible for seeing to it that the catechumens were properly prepared for baptism . Mystagogical homilies, or homilies that dealt with the Church's sacraments , were given to those in the last stages of preparation for full Church membership. Sometimes these mystagogical instructions were not given until after

588-442: The sacred space. In the early Christian church , this same concept was used to describe role of the bishop , who was responsible for seeing to it that the catechumens were properly prepared for baptism . Mystagogical homilies, or homilies that dealt with the Church's sacraments , were given to those in the last stages of preparation for full Church membership. Sometimes these mystagogical instructions were not given until after

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616-608: The sense of requiring supernatural explanation. In some, parts of the doctrine were apparently only known to priests. They included the Eleusinian Mysteries , Mithraism , the Cult of Isis , and the Cult of Sol Invictus . Mystery traditions were popular in ancient Greece and during the height of the Roman Empire , and parts of Early Christianity used secrecy in the same way. The Greek word (μυστήριον) mysterion

644-567: The term refers to "that which awaits disclosure or interpretation". On the other hand, most Christian traditions hold that many of the basic aspects of Christian theology are more than just secrets - they cannot be explained or apprehended by mundane reason, including the nature of the Trinity , the virgin birth of Jesus , and the resurrection of Jesus . In the Catholic church, the Latin term

672-477: The tribe if it was not in keeping with their religious customs. The historical tradition of the mystagogue has carried on today in one way through the fraternity system in American universities , that have historically held a position for a mystagogue at either the chapter or the national level. The mystagogue is a person of great respect, and his knowledge concerning both the physical and spiritual matters of

700-421: The tribe if it was not in keeping with their religious customs. The historical tradition of the mystagogue has carried on today in one way through the fraternity system in American universities , that have historically held a position for a mystagogue at either the chapter or the national level. The mystagogue is a person of great respect, and his knowledge concerning both the physical and spiritual matters of

728-482: The union of God and man. However, the redemption of man is not considered to have taken place only in the past, but continues to this day through theosis . The Sacraments, or Sacred Mysteries are the most important means by which the faithful may obtain union with God, provided they are received with faith after appropriate preparation . Christians believe that God is present everywhere and fills all things by his divine grace , and that all of creation is, in some sense,

756-544: The various artifacts. This branch of theology is at times called mystagogy. In the United States versions of mystagogical legends predate European contact . Early Native American tribes around the Great Lakes region , taught that the mystagogue was a spiritual leader, and upon death would transform into a beast with many heads. The mystagogue would reappear in his beastly form and feed on those who strayed from

784-423: The various artifacts. This branch of theology is at times called mystagogy. In the United States versions of mystagogical legends predate European contact . Early Native American tribes around the Great Lakes region , taught that the mystagogue was a spiritual leader, and upon death would transform into a beast with many heads. The mystagogue would reappear in his beastly form and feed on those who strayed from

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