English Issue 3-4/2025

Religions share knowledge and ideas—they are closer to each other than their external forms might suggest. The mother, Isis, giving birth to Horus in ancient Egypt, and Python, the serpent, hunting for Leto, who was pregnant with Apollo, are images that also belong to the core of Christianity. Eleusis, the place of initiation into the mysteries of Demeter and Persephone, of death and new life, also sheds light on the Christian message. Here, divine mother and daughter conquer mortality. “Eleusis” can be translated as “arrival” or “advent.” A fitting description of this time of year: Christian festivals are festivals of all religions.