mystagogy

/ˌmɪstəˈɡoʊdʒi/
noun
  1. The process or practice of initiating someone into religious mysteries or secret knowledge.
    • Mystagogy was an important part of the ancient mystery religions, preparing new members for deeper understanding.
    • Scholars study mystagogy to understand how ancient communities passed on sacred traditions.
    • The church's program of mystagogy helped converts learn the hidden meanings behind the rituals.
  2. The explanation or interpretation of mysterious or esoteric subjects.
    • The lecture was a form of mystagogy, revealing the symbolic layers of medieval art.
    • The teacher's mystagogy made complex spiritual ideas accessible to her students.
    • Her book offers a modern mystagogy of dreams, showing how they connect to ancient myths.
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