Wiktionary
n. (context performing arts English) A medieval dramatic performance depicting events from Christian scriptures, especially events from the life of Jesus Christ.
WordNet
n. a medieval play representing episodes from the life of Christ
Wikipedia
Mystery plays (perhaps from the Latin "ministerium" meaning "occupation") and miracle plays (they are distinguished as two different forms although the terms are often used interchangeably) are among the earliest formally developed plays in medieval Europe. Medieval mystery plays focused on the representation of Bible stories in churches as tableaux with accompanying antiphonal song. They told of subjects such as the Creation, Adam and Eve, the murder of Abel, and the last judgment. Oftentimes they were performed together in cycles which could last for days. The name derives from mystery used in its sense of miracle, but an occasionally quoted derivation is from ministerium, meaning craft, and so the 'mysteries' or plays performed by the craft guilds.
Usage examples of "mystery play".
Silhouetted against the violent colors of sunset, with their floppy hats and jerky movements, they had the look of shadow actors in a medieval mystery play.
Much more than a myth, it had been dramatized and performed each year in Ancient Egypt in the form of a mystery play—.