Before Christianity became the Roman Empire's official religion in the 4th Century, 'mystery religions,' organized around a central canon of secret knowledge, were widespread. Membership in such religions was limited to people who had passed through secret initiation rituals and had begun to learn a body of hidden knowledge.

The quote “Before Christianity became the Roman Empire's official religion in the 4th Century, 'mystery religions,' organized around a central canon of secret knowledge, were widespread. Membership in such religions was limited to people who had passed through secret initiation rituals and had begun to learn a body of hidden knowledge.” by Trevor Paglen reflects on the role of mystery religions in the cultural and spiritual life of the ancient world. Paglen, an American artist and writer known for exploring hidden systems of knowledge and power, draws attention to how these religions operated through secrecy, initiation, and exclusive teachings long before Christianity gained dominance.

By describing “secret initiation rituals” and a “body of hidden knowledge,” Paglen emphasizes how these religions were structured around exclusivity and spiritual hierarchy. Unlike public state rituals, mystery religions promised personal transformation and deeper truths available only to the initiated. Examples included the Eleusinian Mysteries, the cult of Mithras, and the Isis cult, all of which offered adherents a sense of belonging, hope for the afterlife, and esoteric wisdom unavailable to outsiders.

The reference to the 4th Century situates the transition point in history, when Christianity shifted from being one of many competing sects to becoming the official religion of the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine and later Theodosius. With this shift, many of the older mystery religions declined or disappeared, but their structures—rituals, hierarchies, and sacred teachings—left a lasting imprint on Christian practices and other traditions.

The origin of this quote lies in Paglen’s broader interest in the relationship between hidden knowledge, secrecy, and power structures. By invoking the example of ancient mystery religions, he illustrates how societies have long relied on exclusive systems of knowledge to create authority and meaning. His words remind us that what is considered “truth” or “sacred” often depends on controlled access, and that this dynamic shaped not only ancient religions but continues to influence modern institutions of knowledge and power.