The Lesser Mysteries took place in the month of Anthesterion – the eighth month of the Attic calendar, falling in mid winter around February or March – under the direction of Athens' archon basileus. In order to qualify for initiation, participants would sacrifice a piglet to Demeter and Persephone, and then ritually purify themselves in the river Illisos. Upon completion of the Lesser Mysteries, participants were deemed mystai (initiates) worthy of witnessing the Greater Mysteries.
The Lesser Mysteries took place in the month of Anthesterion – the eighth month of the Attic calendar falling in mid winter around February or March – under the direction of Athens' archon basileus In order to qualify for initiation participants would sacrifice a piglet to Demeter and Persephone and then ritually purify themselves in the river Illisos Upon completion of the Lesser Mysteries participants were deemed mystai (initiates) worthy of witnessing the Greater Mysteries