The (MYSTAI) were probably brought blindfolded into the telestrion and put through a ritual that progressed from blind terror to sublime joy. Kore was summoned up from the underworld by the heirophant striking a gong. An ear of corn was cut in silence. All the new initiates had fasted since the previous evening. The fast was broken by the drinking of the barleydrink sacred to Demeter. The (kykeon) was a ritual beverage compunded of pulse, water, and pennyroyal. Then the sacred objects hidden in the basket were revealed to the mystai. The mystes was required to pronounce the ritual formula:

'I have fasted; I have drunk from the kykeon; I have taken the sacred object from the basket; the act accomplished, I have placed it in the the casket; the transfered it again from the casket to the basket.'

Sacred hymns were chanted, led by priests of the Eumolpidae ('good singers') family. This ceremony continued with dances and rejoicing, then a sacrificial feast was held the following day.