Isis and Mithraism

The cult of Isis- mother-goddess religion in Egypt was absorbed into the Christian religion, and named Mary. Most titles used for Isis are now names for Mary. Names like “ Queen of Heaven’’, Mother of God”, and “God-bearer”. Mary’s role was exalted far beyond what is taught in the Bible in order to attract those who worshipped Isis. Most temples dedicated to Isis were then dedicated to Mary. These were the first clear hints of Catholic Mariology according to Origen. This man lived in Alexandria, Egypt. Alexandria was the main place for Isis worship.   

Mithraism was a religion in the Roman Empire from the 1^st- 5^th century AD. It was especially popular among the Roman soldiers. It was not the official religion, but it was the de facto official religion until Constantine and the Roman Emperors who succeeded him replaced it with their form of Christianity. One of the key features was eating the flesh and drinking the blood of a bull. This is called theophagy (eating one's god). Mithraism also had seven sacraments. There just too many similarities between Mithraism and Roman Catholicism to ignore. After Constantine, the church leaders found it easy to substitute the sacrificial meal of Mithraism with the Lord's supper. The  Roman’s had changed the Lord’s supper and made it a sacrificial consumption of Jesus. This is now known as mass/Eucharist.