The Lesser and Great Mysteries in Plato and Clement

The Greek mystery religions promised their initiates not only a better life in the hereafter but also a profound connection with the divine. This theme of mystery initiation was later co-opted by philosophers such as Plato, who described the philosophical life as a path to the soul's purification and ultimate ascension. Clement of Alexandria similarly adapted these metaphors, using the concepts of lesser and greater mysteries to illustrate the journey of the soul towards spiritual enlightenment.

Plato’s Philosophical Mysteries

In Plato’s Phaedo, the process of philosophical purification is likened to a mystery initiation. Philosophy, Plato argues, cleanses the soul of material and bodily impurities, enabling it to detach from the physical world upon death and ascend to a higher, divine realm. Plato describes the purified soul rising to the abode of the gods, or even higher to the realm of the forms, whereas impure souls are dragged back into the visible world and reincarnate in accordance with their earthly character.

Plato’s Phaedrus further develops this theme, employing the imagery of the Eleusinian great mysteries. He describes the soul's ascent beyond the stars to the fixed sphere, where the forms of the immaterial cosmos are revealed, akin to the sacred objects shown during the Eleusinian initiation. This association links the noetic world with the Telesterion, the sanctuary at Eleusis where the great mysteries were performed.

Clement’s Adaptation of the Mysteries

Clement of Alexandria, while differing in his views on the fate of impure souls, shares Plato’s perspective that only those souls purified by virtue and knowledge ascend to the highest realms. Like Plato, Clement employs the metaphors of lesser and greater mysteries to describe this intellectual and spiritual purification process. For Clement, these mysteries are a means to illustrate the ascent of the soul towards the innermost sanctuary of the truth, a theme he explores in his Stromata (V.4.19.3).

Clement adapts the imagery of the mysteries to align with Christian theology, suggesting that true knowledge and virtue are the keys to spiritual ascension. This adaptation underscores the continuity and transformation of mystery initiation themes from Greek philosophy to early Christian thought.

Scott Brown’s Analysis

Scott Brown’s paper, Behind the Seven Veils, I: The Gnostic Life Setting of the Mystic Gospel of Mark, delves deeply into these themes, examining how Clement’s use of mystery metaphors reflects a gnostic life setting. Brown argues that understanding these metaphors is crucial for interpreting the Letter to Theodore and the mystic gospel attributed to Mark. He contends that the “great mysteries” referred to in the letter do not pertain to baptism, as some scholars have suggested, but rather to a higher level of spiritual initiation reserved for the true gnostics.

Brown’s analysis highlights that the mystic gospel was intended for advanced initiates, aligning with Clement’s broader educational program. This perspective challenges the traditional interpretation of the text and opens up new avenues for understanding early Christian mysticism.

Conclusion

The exploration of lesser and greater mysteries in the works of Plato and Clement reveals a rich tapestry of philosophical and theological thought. These metaphors, adapted from Greek mystery religions, serve to illustrate the soul’s journey towards enlightenment and union with the divine. Scott Brown’s work provides a critical re-examination of these themes, offering fresh insights into the gnostic context of early Christian writings.

For a more detailed analysis of these concepts and their implications, Scott Brown’s paper Behind the Seven Veils, I: The Gnostic Life Setting of the Mystic Gospel of Mark is an essential read. Brown’s scholarship sheds new light on the intricate connections between Greek philosophy and early Christian mysticism, enriching our understanding of these ancient texts.