The Eleusinian mysteries & rites. - The Masonic Trowel

II
THE RITUAL OF THE MYSTERIES
THE
Eleusinian Mysteries, observed by nearly
all Greeks, but particularly by the Athenians,
were celebrated .yearly at Eleusis, though in the
earlier annals of their history they were celebrated
once in every three years only, and once in every
four years by the Celeans, Cretans, Parrhasians,
Pheneteans, Phliasians, and Spartans. It was the
most celebrated of all the rehgious ceremonies of
Greece at any period of the country's history, and
was regarded as of such importance that the Festival
is referred to frequently simply as " The Mysteries."
The rites were guarded most jealously and carefully
concealed from the uninitiated. If any person
divulged any part of them he was regarded as having
offended against the divine law, and by the act he
rendered himself hable to divine vengeance. It
was accounted unsafe to abide in the same house
with him, and as soon as his offence was made public
he was apprehended. Similarly, drastic punishment
was meted out to any person not initiated into
the Mysteries who chanced to be present at their
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