hierophant
Sacred mystery revealer
A hierophant is a priest or interpreter of sacred mysteries, originally in ancient Greek religion.
The term now applies more broadly to anyone who reveals or explains esoteric knowledge: He positioned himself as a hierophant of modernist architecture.
The word often carries a tone of pretension or self-importance when used of contemporary figures.
Authoritative wisdom source
- prophecyForetelling of future events
- seerOne who envisions futures
- divinationForetelling through mystical means
- auguryOmen interpretation practice
soothsayer · sibyl · pythia · visionary · revealer · interpreter · expounder · doctrine
One who performs sacraments
- clergyOrdained religious officials collectively
- clericOrdained religious leader
- pontiffSupreme Catholic leader
- celebrantOne who observes festivities
officiant · elder · initiate · acolyte · adept · temple · sanctuary · vestments
Formal event marking occasions
- liturgyFormal worship structure
- ritesFormal ceremonial acts
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- mysteriesUnexplained phenomena or events
incantation · invocation · consecration · procession · sacrifice · offering · ablution · purification
Concealed from view
- arcaneUnderstood by few
- hermeticImpenetrably closed off
- mysticismPursuit of divine union
- theosophyMystical divine knowledge system
kabbalah · alchemy · gnosticism · neoplatonism · symbology · hidden · veiled · secret doctrine
Trusted wisdom-giving advisor
- teacherOne who instructs others
- guruRevered authority figure
- spiritual directorReligious life advisor
- masterAuthority or controller
sage · initiator · instructor · pathfinder · shepherd · guardian · custodian · keeper
oracle
Authoritative wisdom source
- prophecyForetelling of future events
- seerOne who envisions futures
- divinationForetelling through mystical means
augury · soothsayer · sibyl · pythia · visionary · revealer · interpreter · expounder · doctrine · secrets
priest
One who performs sacraments
- clergyOrdained religious officials collectively
- clericOrdained religious leader
- pontiffSupreme Catholic leader
celebrant · officiant · elder · initiate · acolyte · adept · temple · sanctuary · vestments · ordination
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
- liturgyFormal worship structure
- ritesFormal ceremonial acts
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
mysteries · incantation · invocation · consecration · procession · sacrifice · offering · ablution · purification · sacrament
occult
Concealed from view
theosophy · kabbalah · alchemy · gnosticism · neoplatonism · symbology · hidden · veiled · secret doctrine · metaphysical
mentor
Trusted wisdom-giving advisor
- teacherOne who instructs others
- guruRevered authority figure
- spiritual directorReligious life advisor
master · sage · initiator · instructor · pathfinder · shepherd · guardian · custodian · keeper · transmitter
hierophantlayperson
Non-specialist or unordained person
uninitiated · neophyte · novice · layman · profane
hierophantheretic
Challenger of official doctrine
apostate · iconoclast · blasphemer · infidel · skeptic
hierophantprofaner
One who violates sanctity
desecrator · exposer · debunker · demystifier · whistleblower