The Christian writer Firmicius Maternus, at one time himself an
initiate, has left an account of the ceremony, without, however,
specifying whether the deity in question was Attis or Adonis--as
Dieterich remarks "Was er erzahlt kann sich auf Attis-gemeinden, und
auf Adonis-gemeinden beziehen."
This is what he says: "Nocte quadam simulacrum in lectica supinum
ponitur, et per numeros digestis fletibus plangitur: deinde cum se
ficta lamentatione satiaverint lumen infertur: tunc a sacerdote
omnium qui flebant fauces unguentur, quibus perunctis sacerdos hoc
lento murmure susurrit:
'Have courage, O initiates of the saviour-god,
For there will be salvation for us from our toils--'
on which Dieterich remarks: "Das Heil der Mysten hangt an der Rettung
des Gottes."[17]
[*** Note: The above has an English translation of Weston's Greek ***]
Hepding holds that in some cases there was an actual burial, and
awakening with the god to a new life.[18] In any case it is clear
that the successful issue of the test of initiation was dependent
upon the resurrection and revival of the god.
Now is it not clear that we have here a close parallel with the
Grail romances? In each case we have a common, and mystic, meal,
in which the food partaken of stands in close connection with the holy
vessels.
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