Editing Mystagogue (section)

==Origins==
In ancient [[mystery religion]]s, a mystagogue would be responsible for leading an initiate into the secret teachings and rituals of a [[Cult (religious practice)|cultus]]. The initiate would often be blindfolded, and the mystagogue would literally "guide" him into the sacred space.

In the [[early church|early Christian church]], this same concept was used to describe role of the [[bishop]], who was responsible for seeing to it that the [[catechumens]] were properly prepared for [[baptism]]. Mystagogical homilies, or [[homily|homilies]] that dealt with the Church's [[sacraments]], were given to those in the last stages of preparation for full Church membership. Sometimes these mystagogical instructions were not given until after the catechumen had been baptized. The most famous of these mystagogical works are the "Mystagogical Homilies" of St. [[Cyril of Jerusalem]], and the work, "On the Mysteries" by St. [[Ambrose of Milan]].