The worship of Mithras was popular in the Roman army from the first to fourth century. It was referred to as ‘the soldier’s god’.
It was a mystery religion involving seven levels of initiation conducted in underground temples.
The pagan god Mithras was often portrayed slaying a bull. Based on the Persian Zoroastrian deity of the same name, which was considered the god of light; the Roman version is often depicted gazing at the sun.
Not only were the initiation rites secretive, the group may have even had a secret handshake.
Recently, researchers announced that they have finally deciphered an inscription found at an ancient church built over an underground Mithras temple in Southeastern Turkey, Fox News reports.
Located near Zerzevan Castle, it’s considered one of Mithrian’s best preserved temple.
Written in Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus, the inscription is dated to the third or fourth century. It revealed the growing influence that Christianity was having in the Roman Empire.
Professor Mehmet Sait Toprak translated the inscription, which announced the temple’s closure. Toprak is a professor at Mardin Artuklu University in Mardin, Turkey.
Describing it as an “extremely important archaeological discovery”, Toprak said the inscription “mentions both Mithras and Jesus Christ.”
The inscription also cited the Holy Cross and had a Christian cross carved beside it.
Aytaç Coşkun, who oversaw the site’s excavation, stated that the inscription revealed that this temple “was closed and symbolically sealed by Christians.”
It reflected Christianity’s growing influence in the Roman Empire. Despite being heavily persecuted by the Roman government, the faith continued to win the hearts of people.
By the time Constantine embraced Christianity and legalized the religion in 313 AD, some estimate that over half the Roman empire had embraced the Christian faith. In 381 AD, Christianity would become Rome’s official religion.
“This inscription is more than an archaeological curiosity”, writes James Lasher in an article for Charisma News. “It reminds us that the first Christians carried the Gospel into cultures filled with idol worship, false religions, and spiritual darkness. They proclaimed Jesus Christ despite opposition because they knew there was only one Savior and one risen King.”