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GLOSSARY OF SECRECY IN ANCIENT GREEK MYSTERY RELIGION
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Please also visit the main page on this subject: The Secrecy of Orphismós.
Abaccheutos - See Avákkheftos.
Alitrós - (Gr. ἀλιτρός, ΑΛΙΤΡΟΣ. Adjective.) wicked.
Anósios - (Gr. ἀνόσιος, ΑΝΟΣΙΟΣ. Adjective.) base, profane, inappropriate to stand in the presence of the Gods, unholy.
Apórritos - (aporrhetos; Gr. ἀπόρρητος, ΑΠΟΡΡΗΤΟΣ. Adjective.) forbidden, secret.
- Cf. Árritos. Árritos refers more to that which of its very nature is transcendent and ineffable, where Apórritos refers to those things which are kept secret.
Aporritótæros lógos - (aporrhetoteros logos; Gr. ἀπορρητότερος λόγος, ΑΠΟΡΡΗΤΟΤΕΡΟΣ ΛΟΓΟΣ) a story held in complete secrecy, a sacred mystery. (Παυσανίας Ἑλλάδος Περιήγησις 2.17.4) Cf. Mystikós lógos.
Árritos - (arretus; Gr. ἄρρητος, ΑΡΡΗΤΟΣ. Adjective.) unutterable, unspoken, secret.
- Cf. Apórritos. Árritos refers more to that which of its very nature is transcendent and ineffable, where Apórritos refers to those things which are kept secret.
Avákkheftos - (abaccheutos; Gr. ἀβάκχευτος, ΑΒΑΚΧΕΥΤΟΣ. Adjective. Etym. α "not" + Βάκχος "Diónysos.") adjective referring to those who are uninitiated into the mystíria of Diónysos. Cf. Vǽvili.
Bebeloi - See Vǽvili.
Bebelos - See Vǽvilos.
Efphimía - (euphemia; Gr. εὐφημία, ΕΥΦΗΜΙΑ) the use of language to avoid in any way profaning the Gods, auspicious speech avoiding even saying their names.
Euphemia – See Efphimía.
Mystikós lógos (mysticus logos; Gr. μυστικός λόγος, ΜΥΣΤΙΚΟΣ ΛΟΓΟΣ) = Aporritótæros lógos.
Myǽoh - (myeo; Gr. μυέω, ΜΥΕΩ. Verb. Pronounced: mee-AY-oh or mee-EH-oh) initiate into mysteries or passive, to be initiated.
Mýisis - (myesis; Gr. μύησις, ΜΥΗΣΙΣ. Noun. Etym. μύω, "close, be shut.") mystic initiation.
Mystagohgós - (mystagogos; Gr. μυσταγωγός, ΜΥΣΤΑΓΩΓΟΣ. Noun.) teacher of mysteries.
Mýstis - (mystes; Gr. μὐστης, ΜΥΣΤΗΣ. Μύσται is plural. Noun.) practitioner of mysteries, one initiated.
Ósios - (Gr. ὅσιος, ΟΣΙΟΣ. Adjective.) holy because of divine law.
Sphrayís - (sphragis; Gr. σφραγίς, ΣΦΡΑΓΙΣ. Noun.) Sphrayís is a seal. The phrases found at the beginning of Orphic texts, "Begone! you who are sinful. Close your doors! you who are profane," are a type of seal or sphrayís , protecting the text from profane eyes.
Vǽvilos - (bebelos; Gr. βέβηλος, ΒΕΒΗΛΟΣ. Plural is βέβηλοι. Adjective.) profane or uninitiated. The texts of the Mysteries open with the exhortation θύρας δ' έπίθεσθε βέβηλοι, "Shut your doors, you who are profane!"
Please also visit the main page on this subject: The Secrecy of Orphismós.
The story of the birth of the Gods: Orphic Rhapsodic Theogony.
We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology.
Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology.
Introduction to the Thæí (the Gods): The Nature of the Gods.
How do we know there are Gods? Experiencing Gods.
The logo to the left is the principal symbol of this website. It is called the CESS logo, i.e. the Children of the Earth and the Starry Sky. The Pætilía (Petelia, Πετηλία) and other golden tablets having this phrase (Γῆς παῖς εἰμί καὶ Οὐρανοῦ ἀστερόεντος) are the inspiration for the symbol. The image represents this idea: Earth (divisible substance) and the Sky (continuous substance) are the two kozmogonic substances. The twelve stars represent the Natural Laws, the dominions of the Olympian Gods. In front of these symbols is the seven-stringed kithára (cithara, κιθάρα), the lyre of Apóllohn (Apollo, Ἀπόλλων). It (here) represents the bond between Gods and mortals and is representative that we are the children of Orphéfs (Orpheus, Ὀρφεύς).PLEASE NOTE: Throughout the pages of this website, you will find fascinating stories about our Gods. These narratives are known as mythology, the traditional stories of the Gods and Heroes. While these tales are great mystical vehicles containing transcendent truth, they are symbolic and should not be taken literally. A literal reading will frequently yield an erroneous result. The meaning of the myths is concealed in code. To understand them requires a key. For instance, when a God kills someone, this usually means a transformation of the soul to a higher level. Similarly, sexual union with a God is a transformation.
The story of the birth of the Gods: Orphic Rhapsodic Theogony.
We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology.
Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology.
SPELLING: HellenicGods.org uses the Reuchlinian method of pronouncing ancient Greek, the system preferred by scholars from Greece itself. An approach was developed to enable the student to easily approximate the Greek words. Consequently, the way we spell words is unique, as this method of transliteration is exclusive to this website. For more information, visit these three pages:
Pronunciation of Ancient Greek
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