THE INITIATE GRADES

To become a follower of the Mithra cult, you had to go through an initiation ritual marking your entry into the community. This consisted of a handshake between the “father” and the new follower, just as Mithra and Sol shook hands at the end of their fight.
From the end of the 1st century to the beginning of the 5th century, groups were sub-divided into three categories of worshippers: the Ravens, who were the novices, the Lions who comprised the majority of cult members, and the Fathers who held the role of community leaders. During the 3rd century, some communities expanded on this organisation, going from three to seven grades. The three main grades of Raven, Lion and Father were found in all mithraea, while the other four were only present in a few buildings.
Within some of the communities that adopted the seven grade structure, the first three grades took on the role of servants while the next three were devotees in their own right, each occupying a specific role within this internal hierarchy. Each grade was affiliated to a planet, and the specific god associated with it, and could be distinguished by features such as masks and insignia representing the various roles.
To move up through the grade system, followers had to go through initiation rites in the hope of one day rising to the grade of Father.