Theophanies of the Ancients

Even to the pious and the purified, it did not always happen that they beheld the present Divinities; nevertheless, it was thought to occur that they could converse with the present Gods, even if they were not seen. Thus Hippolytus, as pious as he was chaste, boasts of himself in the work of Euripides:

For to me alone among mortals is this honor:
I am both with you and exchange words with you,
hearing indeed your voice, but not seeing your face.
original Greek: Μόνῳ γάρ ἐστι τῦτ᾿ ἐμοὶ γέρας βροτῶν, / Σοὶ καὶ ξύνειμι, καὶ λόγος ἀμείβομαι, / κλύων μὲν αὐδῆς, ὄμμα δ᾿ οὐχ ὁρῶν τὸ σόν. From Euripides’ play Hippolytus, lines 84–86.

In the play of the same name, lines 84 and following, this means: To me alone among mortals does this reward fall, that I dwell with you (he speaks of Diana The Roman name for the Greek goddess Artemis, the virgin huntress.) and exchange conversation with you, hearing indeed your voice, but not seeing your form. Xenophon A Greek historian and philosopher, student of Socrates. referred to this passage when he wrote of Hippolytus: Hippolytus was held in honor by Artemis, and was in her company in words; having been blessed for his moderation and holiness, he died. original Greek: Ἱππόλυτος δὲ ὑπὸ μὲν τῆς Ἀρτέμιδος ἐτιμᾶτο, καὶ ἐν λόγοις συνῆν, σωφροσύνῃ δὲ καὶ ὁσιότητι μακαρισθεὶς ἐτελεύτησε. From the Cynegeticus (On Hunting), p. 673. That is: Hippolytus was in honor with Diana, and conversed familiarly with her, and because of his modesty and piety, he passed away as one consecrated.

And for these pious and good men, the Gods were believed to appear with a most happy outcome, as we have said; regarding this matter, Iamblichus A Neoplatonist philosopher who wrote extensively on theurgy and the nature of the divine. teaches in Section II, chapter 9: The appearance of the Gods provides truth and power, the successful completion of works, and the bestowal of the greatest goods. original Greek: ἡ μὲν τῶν Θεῶν ἐπιφάνεια ἀλήθειαν παρέχει καὶ δύναμιν, ἔργων τε κατορθώσεις, καὶ δόσεις ἀγαθῶν μεγίστων. From De Mysteriis (On the Mysteries of the Egyptians). Souls were most perfectly purified by the appearing Gods—through "the purifying power," Greek: to apokathartikon. as Iamblichus writes in the same work, chapter 5: The purification of the souls is perfect among the Gods, meaning the Gods purify souls most perfectly. He explains himself more clearly in chapter 9: The dispositions of the souls of those who call upon them, during the appearance [of the god], receive a state removed from and surpassing the passions...