The Mithras Liturgy: Unveiling a Recipe for Immortalization

The Mithras Liturgy is a recipe found in the Greek magical papyri, specifically in the Codex known as the Greek magical papyri. It is a recipe for immortalization, apathanatismos, which immediately distinguishes it from other texts in the collection. The text is inserted into a larger collection of recipes and marked off as a unit. It starts with an introductory section, including a prayer to Hilathimoi and propitious entities associated with Platonist circles. The text claims to transmit secret knowledge, passed down from the great god Mithras through his archangel. The main goal of the ritual is to obtain a revelation, an oracle in verse from the Supreme God. The ritual involves ascent through various realms, encountering planetary deities and invoking their protection. The practitioner reaches the doors of the sun, where Helios Mithras serves as the door guard. If the proper invocations are made, the doors open, giving the practitioner a glimpse into the world beyond the cosmos. The practitioner then receives a vision of a beautiful young man proceeding from the pole, representing the aim of immortalization. The purpose of this ritual is to obtain divine knowledge and guidance for various practical purposes such as divination, protection, and personal growth.