or Hierophanta, (from ἱερός, holy, and φαίνομαι, I appear), in antiquity, a priest among the Athenians.

The hierophantess was properly the chief person that officiated in the Eleusinia, that great solemnity sacred to Ceres.

This office was first executed by Eumolpus, and continued in his family for 1200 years, though when any person was appointed to this dignity he was required always to live in celibacy.

St Jerome says, that the hierophantess extinguished the fire of luff by drinking cicuta or the juice of hemlock, or even by making themselves eunuchs. Apollodorus observes, that it was the hierophantess who instructed persons initiated into their religion in the mysteries and duties thereof, and that it was hence he derived his name: for the same reason he was called prophetess, "the prophet." He had officers under him to do the same thing, or to assist him therein, who were also called prophetess and exeges, i.e. "explainers of divine things."

To the hierophantess it belonged to dress and adorn the statues of the gods, and to bear them in processions and solemn ceremonies.