mystery play

English

mystery play (plural mystery plays)

(performing arts) A medieval dramatic performance depicting events from Christian scriptures, especially events from the life of Jesus Christ.
A similar play depicting events from the life of other gods or goddesses.
- 1920, Edward Carpenter, Pagan and Christian Creeds, New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co., published 1921, page 22:
  His [Osiris'] sufferings, his death and his resurrection were enacted year by year in a great mystery-play at Abydos.
- 1993, Jean Houston, Public Like a Frog: Entering the Lives of Three Great Americans‎^[1], page xix:
  We also entered into the mystery plays of Demeter and Persephone, of Psyche and Eros, of Isis and Osiris[.]

medieval dramatic performance