The term "Lesser Mysteries" refers to a set of ancient rituals in the context of the Eleusinian Mysteries, which were religious ceremonies held in ancient Greece. These rites were considered less significant than the "Greater Mysteries," but they still played a crucial role in the spiritual life of participants. The Lesser Mysteries typically involved purification and preparation for the more elaborate Greater Mysteries. Participants in the Lesser Mysteries engaged in various rites, including sacrifices and initiations, often held at the site of Eleusis. These ceremonies were designed to prepare individuals for the deeper spiritual experiences offered in the Greater Mysteries, which celebrated the myth of Demeter and Persephone.