epopteia (εποπτεια)

(Language: Greek)

Short Description: beholding of the secret symbols or epiphanies of the gods

Long Description: the most important mystical vision that culminates the Eleusinian mysteris, beholding of the secret symbols or epiphanies of the gods; epopteia is the highest stage of initiation; epoptai (beholders) are those who came back to watch the rituals again; in a similar way, the philosophical purification and instruction culminates in epoptika – the direct revelation of truth and contemplation of the Forms, or divine realities.

Sources: The Golden Chain: An Anthology of Platonic and Pythagorean Philosophy, by Dr. Algis Uždavinys