Mithras with his cape of stars. Predating Christianity by several hundred years, this religion became popular among the Roman military. Mithras was the ruler of the Cosmos, was born of a virgin on the 25th of December and remained celibate. His worship involved baptism, the partaking of bread marked with a cross and wine as sacrificial blood, and held Sundays sacred. Mithraists called themselves "brother" and were led by a priest called "father" (Pater). The symbols of the father were a staff, a hooked sword, a ring and hat. |