But this was in itself nothing new. It was not uncommon in ancient times for
conquering nations to usurp the gods of the vanquished with their own deities.
Because the Pagans of the land already worshipped the mother goddess with
such vitality and dedication, converting them to Mary, the new goddess, would not
be that difficult.
The extreme devotion of the Ephesians to their great goddess is recorded in
scripture. This is where the Apostle Paul encountered the idol worshippers of
Diana.
ìFor a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made
silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;
Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation,
and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost
throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away
much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with
hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at
nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana
should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed,
whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. And when they heard
these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great
is Diana of the Ephesians.î Acts 19:24-28
The images of Diana, the Pagan Mother of god, had numerous breasts so that
she could nurse the other gods. There is evidence found during excavations of the
Temple of Diana that human sacrifice was practiced there. Her statue was
adorned with a crown symbolizing the Tower of Babel. To the Romans and the
peoples of the British Isles, she was known as Diana Luceferia, linking her to
Lucifer.
As you can see by this
picture of the image of Diana,
there is also a moon shaped
disk, or halo behind her
head.