Eleusinian Mysteries and goddess Demeter
By studying a modern map of Athens, one can locate its industrial suburb Elefsina. Elefsina is located at the northernmost end of the Saronic Gulf and, in recent decades, has evolved into a main oil and fuel entry gate in Greece.
A current visitor of Athens will hardly include Elefsina on his trip. However, in ancient times, for hundreds of years, visitors from all over the known world flocked to this small settlement, making it one of the most important sacred places in the Greco-Roman world.
The reason for Elefsina's enormous importance was its inextricable connection with the Goddess Demeter, as the fines were held there Eleusinia Mysteries.
Elefsina in Greek Mythology
- Demeter was one of the twelve Olympian deities, although the worship of the pre-existing organized Olympic religion. It was the greatest goddess of agriculture, fertility of land and cultivation, highly honored throughout Greece.
The most famous myth of Dimitra concerns search for her daughter, Persephone, which had been kidnapped by Hades, who wished to make her his wife.
The Arrival of Demeter in Elefsina
Demeter, exhausted by her daughter's constant search, wandered the entire earth and eventually stopped at Elefsina to rest.
Local residents did not recognize the goddess, but saw an elderly woman named Give. Unlike other places, in Elefsina the foreigner was welcomed with hospitality. The King's daughters Celery They even led her to the palace to regain her powers.
To repay hospitality, Demeter decided to make Immortal Baby Demophonies, son of Keleos, burning his mortal nature — an act that strongly resembles the myth of Achilles. But Keleos surprised the goddess in the hour of action and, fearing for his child’s life, reacted angryly.
The Apocalypse of the Goddess Demeter
Then Demeter revealed her divine nature and ordered the king to rise temple in honor of. The inhabitants of Elefsina obeyed immediately.
After the temple was completed, Demeter settled there and stated that she would not leave the sacred site until she was informed of the fate of Persephone. As she refused to do her work as a goddess of agriculture, Great famine It spread around the world and humanity began to starve.
The Blessing of Elefsina
Finally Zeus She revealed to Dimitra what had happened to her daughter. Mother and daughter reunited, but only for part of the year. When they were together, the earth was bearing fruit· When separated, nature withered — a myth that explains the rotation of the seasons.
In gratitude to Elefsina, Demeter taught to Triple War, probably son of Keleo, the secrets of agriculture. Triptolemos spread this knowledge throughout Greece, making Elefsina a cradle of culture and cultivation.
The First Temple and the Birth of the Eleusinian Sacraments
Demeter appointed King Keleos as first priest of her temple and taught him sacred rituals promising prosperity and hope for afterlife — as she had reunited with her daughter.
Of these sacred teachings were born Eleusinia Mysteries, one of the most important secret cults of antiquity.
Eleusinian Mysteries
Mysteries gained huge fame when Elefsina was politically incorporated into Athens. The initiation was open to everyone. — men and women, free and slaves.
The Little Mysteries
They were held in the municipality Agrai on the banks of Ilisus, the month Anthestiriona (February–) March). Including purifications and sacrifices to Demeter and Persephone.
The Great Mysteries
They took place six months later, Boedromiona (September–) October), and lasted a week. They included a procession from Athens to Elefsina, fasting, ritual events and final initiation in CeremonyWhere a sacred box was kept.
The contents of the final ceremony remain unknown, as the initiates were bound by a vow of silence under threat of death.
The Decline of Elefsina and the End of Mysteries
Eleusinian Mysteries lasted about 2,000 years. During the Roman period they were incorporated into the religious life of the empire. However, they began to decline when Rome adopted Christianity.
The Emperor Theodosius I commanded the closure of all pagan priests in 379 C.E. The final destruction of Elefsina occurred in 395 C.E., when the Alaric Visigoths They looted the area.
