Note 685 — Chapter VI · LUNAR CALENDARS AND THE WEEK

According to the testimony of Celsus, as quoted by Origen (Contra Celsum, vi, 21), the seven planets played an important rôle in the Mithraic mysteries. The chief position was naturally assigned to the sun, from which circumstance Cumont concludes, not only that the planetary week was known to Mithraism, but also that the dies Solis “était évidemment le plus sacré de l’hebdomade pour les fidèles de Mithra, et, comme les Chrétiens, ils devaient sanctifier le dimanche et non pas le sabbat.” See F. Cumont, Textes et monuments figurés relatifs aux mystères de Mithra, Brussels, 1896-1899, i, 118 sq., ii, 31.