Translations:Serapis Bey/38/en

Many epithets are ascribed to Serapis, including “Father,” “Saviour” and “the greatest of the deities.” He was regarded as the sponsor of intimate contact between the gods and mortals. Serapis is regarded in the annals of the esoteric tradition as the hierophant of the secret Egyptian initiatory rites. The lesser mysteries were dedicated to Isis and intended for the layman; the greater mysteries were dedicated to Serapis and Osiris and transmitted only to initiated priests who underwent severe rites of trial and initiation in the temple of Serapis.