The Lesser and Great Mysteries in Clement's Thought

The study of ancient mystery religions and their influence on early Christian thought reveals a fascinating intersection of philosophy and theology. Clement of Alexandria, one of the early Christian thinkers, adeptly incorporates these elements into his teachings. Scott Brown, in his insightful paper, Behind the Seven Veils, I: The Gnostic Life Setting of the Mystic Gospel of Mark, explores how Clement's use of lesser and great mysteries reflects a deeper spiritual and intellectual journey.

Clement’s Description of the Mysteries

Clement’s longest exposition on the lesser and great mysteries offers a window into his philosophical and theological synthesis:

"It is not then without reason that the mysteries of the Greeks commence with rites of purification (τὰ καθάρσια), as also the washing in water (τὸ λουτρόν) among the Barbarians (i.e., Jews and Christians). After these are the lesser mysteries (τὰ μικρὰ μυστήρια), which function to teach and prepare for what is to come after, then the great mysteries (τὰ δὲ μεγάλα), which concern the totality of things, in which nothing remains to be learned, but only to contemplate (ἐποπτεύειν) and comprehend both nature and things. We shall understand the mode of purification by confession, and that of contemplation (ἐποπτικόν) by analysis, advancing by analysis to the primary concept, beginning with the properties underlying it; abstracting from the body its physical properties, taking away the dimension of depth, then that of breadth, and then that of length. What remains is a point, a monad, so to speak, having position; if we take away position, we have the intellectual concept of unity. If, then, abstracting all that belongs to bodies and what are called incorporeal realities, we cast ourselves into the greatness of Christ, and from there advance by holiness into the abyss, we may somehow attain an intellectual conception of the Almighty, knowing not what he is, but what he is not." (Strom. V.11.70.7—71.3, trans. Wilson, revised by Brown)

As Brown illustrates, Clement’s conceptualization of the lesser and great mysteries aligns with Platonic thought, where they signify a progressively challenging and refined understanding of true reality. However, unlike Plato, for whom knowledge of the forms is the pinnacle, Clement believes that this knowledge leads to an epopteia, or vision, of the first principle—Christ, the divine Logos.

The Role of Philosophy and Divine Revelation

Clement extends beyond Platonic forms, emphasizing that true knowledge of divine realities requires both a scientific understanding of nature and divine revelation. Eric Osborn, cited by Brown, notes that Clement identifies a dual aspect of φυσιολογία (the science of nature): a rational pursuit of the highest knowledge of nature and a revelation-clarified science leading to the vision of divine realities. This process culminates in epopteia, a direct and unmediated vision of God, analogous to the climactic vision of immense light in the Eleusinian mysteries.

Epopteia in Christian Mysticism

In the Eleusinian mysteries, epopteia represents the highest initiation, a vision of immense light symbolizing ultimate knowledge. For Clement, this term signifies the mind's direct contemplation of God. This vision is a foretaste of eternal rest and the face-to-face contemplation of Christ as the face of God, as Clement elaborates in his writings (e.g., Exc. 10.6; 12.1; Paed. I.7.57.2; Strom. V.6.33.6—34.1).

Thus, the true gnostic transcends philosophical knowledge, entering the realm of theology and epopteia. Clement aligns this with what Plato deems the great mysteries and Aristotle calls metaphysics, ultimately achieving a visionary understanding of divine realities.

Conclusion

Clement’s adaptation of the lesser and great mysteries demonstrates a profound synthesis of Greek philosophy and Christian theology. Scott Brown’s paper elucidates these connections, offering a nuanced understanding of Clement’s thought and its implications for early Christian mysticism.

For those interested in exploring these themes further, Scott Brown’s paper Behind the Seven Veils, I: The Gnostic Life Setting of the Mystic Gospel of Mark provides an in-depth analysis of Clement’s mystical and philosophical framework, enriching our understanding of ancient spiritual traditions.