MITHRAISM FOR TODAY Modern explorations into the worship of Mithras, that make no claim to be the ancient Mithraic

Mysteries. MITHRAEUM HISTORY MITHRAISM FOR TODAY RECONSTRUCTED ANCIENT MITHRAISM DISCUSSION GROUPS RESOURCES BOOKSTORE GIFT SHOP FAQ EMAIL US People seeking to be involved with Mithraism in the modern world have faced a real dilemma. How do isolated individuals approach a religion that was focused on group community, ritual and initiations?

The answer to this is not an easy one, and it is the reason why this website has made a clear distinction between "Mithraism for Today" and "Reconstructed Ancient Mithraism". A rebirth of Mithraism means dealing with a challenge that did not exist in the ancient world. In antiquity, Mithraism was passed throughout the Roman world by the Legions as an organized force. Today, individuals interested in Mithraism are widely scattered and have little, if any, recourse to group practice or worship. It is not unreasonable to expect that if Mithraism as a living religion can be maintained by individuals, it will eventually grow again into group practice as it becomes more popular. This by necessity means maintaining Mithraism for a period of years as a personal path - unlike what was practiced in the ancient world. Is a solitary Mithraist still a Mithraist? Our answer is yes, provided that those who practice a modern path of Mithraism out of necessity do not confuse such practice with ancient Mithraism. Many pagan religious paths have been revived in the modern world over the past few decades. Experience has shown that real problems occur only when accurate history is lost, and modern adaptations are confused with ancient tradition. The goal of Modern Mithraism is to keep Mithraism alive, not to replace the ancient Mysteries with something new. If individuals can keep themselves involved and make Mithraism interesting to others - it will make a reconstruction of the organized Mithraic Mysteries that much more possible. Modern vs. Ancient Practice As an organization, Mithraeum hopes both to encourage Modern Mithraism, and ensure that modern rites do not interfere with a rebirth of the ancient Mysteries as accurately as possible. In our view is a Modern Mithraic practice necessary for the survival of Mithraism as a path? Yes. In our view, is Modern Mithraic practice "just as important" as the ancient Mysteries? No, but that doesn't mean that modern rites are completely invalid either. If you seek Mithras with a sincere heart and a desire for knowledge, you will find him even if alone. It is our great hope that Modern Mithraism will become a valuable tool for the rebuilding of accurate Mithraic Mysteries,

not a watered-down modern replacement for them. Our goal is to make Mithras and his Light more available to the modern individual - even as we instill a desire for accurate scholarship and reconstruction. The key to making Modern Mithraism a useful aid to rebuilding the Mysteries is clear labeling. Modern rites, rituals, festivals, prayers, ideas and writings should be clearly labeled as such. We must not confuse modern efforts with history today if we hope to rebuild something that is historically accurate in the future.