At the end of the first millennium AD, at a time when Christianity was adopted in Rus', everything related to paganism was suppressed and eradicated. They burned pagan temples and sent ancient idols floating on water. They tried to completely get rid of these beliefs. However, we can say with confidence that this was done very poorly. Indeed, to this day, elements of pagan rituals have been preserved in Orthodox faith, creating an amazing symbiosis of Byzantine culture and paganism. It must also be said that the first memories of these beliefs appeared in medieval manuscripts, when the papal curia actively attracted people to Catholicism. The pagans also fell under this action (who they are is known). The entries in the diaries of Catholics were mostly condemning. As for the Russian chroniclers, they did not want to talk about paganism at that time, emphasizing that it practically does not exist.
About the concept
Understanding the concept of “pagans” (who they are, what are the characteristics of their faith and worldview), you need to find out what it means. If you understand the etymology, you must say that the root here is the word “language”. However, it also meant “people, tribe.” We can conclude that the concept itself can be translated as “folk faith” or “tribal faith.” The Slavic term “paganism” can also be interpreted as “the strength of bonds.”
About faith
So, pagans: who were they, what did they believe? It is worth saying that their very system of beliefs was almost ideal and completely inseparable from nature. She was revered, worshiped and given generous gifts. For the Slavs, the center of the entire Universe was Mother Nature. It was understood as a kind of living organism that not only thinks, but also has a soul. Her powers and elements were deified and spiritualized. However, this is not surprising, because Nature is so natural that special wisdom can be traced here without any problems. Moreover, the pagans (who they are, we, in principle, considered) considered themselves children of nature and could not imagine their life without it, for the Vedic system of knowledge and beliefs assumed close interaction and coexistence in harmony with the surrounding world. What was the faith of our ancestors? The Slavs had three main cults: the Sun, Mother Earth and the veneration of the elements.
Cult of the Earth
The pagans believed that the Earth was the mother of everything. Here everything is explained quite simply, because, according to the ancient Slavs, it is the center of fertility: the Earth gives life not only to plants, but also to all animals. Why they called her Mother is also not difficult to explain. Our ancestors believed that it was the earth that gave birth to them, it gives them strength, you just have to bend down to it. Let us note that many of the rituals that exist today have come to us since those times. Let us recall, for example, the need to take a handful of one’s own land to a foreign land or to bow to the ground at a wedding for young parents.
Sun worship
The sun in the beliefs of the ancient Slavs acts as a symbol of all-conquering good. It must also be said that pagans were often called sun worshipers. People at that time lived according to the solar calendar, Special attention focusing on the dates of the winter and summer solstice. It was at this time that important holidays were celebrated, such as, for example, Ivan Kupala Day (end of June). It will also be interesting that the inhabitants of those times revered the sign of the swastika, which was called the solar Kolovrat. However, this symbolism did not carry any negativity at that time, but personified the victory of good over evil, light and purity. This sign of wisdom was also a talisman endowed with cleansing power. It was always applied to clothing, weapons, and household items.
Honoring the Elements
The pagan Slavs treated such elements as air, water and fire with the greatest respect. The last two were considered purifying, as powerful and life-giving as the earth itself. As for fire, it is, according to the Slavs, a powerful energy that establishes balance in the world and strives for justice. Fire purified not only the body, but also the soul (indicative in this regard are jumping over a blazing fire on Ivan Kupala). The flame was of great importance at funerals. At that time, bodies were burned, exposing not only the earthly shell of a person to the cleansing power of fire, but also his soul, which after this ritual easily went to the ancestors. In pagan times, water was highly revered. People considered her the only source of strength and energy. At the same time, they respected not only rivers and other bodies of water, but also the heavenly waters - rain, believing that in this way the gods would grant strength not only to the earth itself, but also to its inhabitants. People were purified with water, they were treated with it (“living” and “dead” water), they even used it to tell fortunes and predict the future.
Past
Russian pagans also treated their past, or rather, their ancestors, with great respect. They revered their grandfathers and great-grandfathers and often resorted to their help. It was believed that the souls of ancestors do not disappear anywhere, they protect their family, helping people from parallel world. Twice a year the Slavs celebrated the day when they honored their dead relatives. It was called Radonitsa. At this time, relatives communicated with their ancestors at their graves, asking for the safety and health of the entire family. It was necessary to leave a small gift (this ritual still exists today - a funeral service at the cemetery, when people bring sweets and cookies with them).
Pantheon of Gods
First of all, I would like to say that the gods of the pagans represent one or another element or natural force. So, the most important gods were Rod (who created life on earth) and Rozhanitsy (goddesses of fertility, thanks to whom after winter the earth was reborn to new life; they also helped women give birth to children). One of the most important gods was also Svarog - the creator and ruler of the universe, the Father-Progenitor, who gave people not only earthly fire, but also heavenly fire (the Sun). Svarozhichi were such gods as Dazhdbog (god of the Sun) and Perun (God of thunder, lightning, thunder). The solar deities were Khors (a circle, hence the word “round dance”) and Yarilo (the god of the hottest and brightest summer sun). The Slavs also revered Veles, the god who was the patron of livestock. He was also the god of wealth, because previously one could become rich only thanks to livestock, which brought good profits. Among the goddesses, the most significant were Lada (goddess of beauty, youth, love, marriage and family), Makosh (giver of life to the harvest) and Morana (goddess of death, cold, winter). People in those days also revered brownies, goblins, water spirits - spirits that guarded everything that surrounded a person: house, water, forests, fields.
Rituals
Various pagan rituals were also important. As already mentioned, they could be cleansing for the body and soul (using water and fire). There were also security rituals that were carried out in order to protect a person or house from evil spirits. Sacrifice was no stranger to the Slavs. Thus, gifts to the gods could be both bloodless and bloody. The first ones were given as gifts to ancestors or beregins. Blood sacrifices were needed, for example, by Perun and Yarila. At the same time, birds and livestock were brought as gifts. All rituals had sacred meaning.
Selected foreign sources about the Paganism of the Slavs and Rus
1. Procopius of Caesarea (mid 6th century)
These tribes, Sklavins and Antes, are not ruled by one person, but since ancient times they have lived in democracy, and therefore their profitable and unprofitable affairs are always conducted together. And also the rest is the same, one might say, everything is the same for both, and was established from time immemorial among these barbarians. For they believe that one of the Gods - the creator of lightning - is the sole ruler of everything, and they sacrifice bulls and all kinds of sacrificial animals to him. They do not know predestination and generally do not recognize that it has any significance, at least in relation to people, but when death is already at their feet, whether they are seized by illness or go to war, they make a vow if they escape her, now make a sacrifice to God for her life; and having escaped [death], they sacrifice what they promised, and think that with this sacrifice they bought their salvation. However, they honor rivers, nymphs, and some other deities and make sacrifices to all of them, and with these sacrifices they perform fortune telling.
2. Konstantin Porphyrogenitus, “On the administration of the empire” (c. 950)
After passing this place (the last crossing on the way to Byzantium), they (the Rosas) reach the island called St. Gregory (Khortitsa Island). On this island they perform their sacrifices, since there is a huge oak tree there: they sacrifice live roosters, they strengthen arrows around [the oak], and other pieces of bread, meat and what everyone has, as their custom dictates. They also cast lots for the roosters: either slaughter them, or eat them, or release them alive.
3. Leo Deacon (90s of the 10th century)
And so, when night fell and the full circle of the moon shone, the Scythians went out onto the plain and began to pick up their dead. They piled them up in front of the wall, made many fires and burned them, slaughtering many captives, men and women, according to the custom of their ancestors. Having made this bloody sacrifice, they strangled [several] infants and roosters, drowning them in the waters of the Ister. They say that the Scythians venerate the mysteries of the Hellenes, make sacrifices according to pagan rites and pour out libations for the dead, having learned this either from their philosophers Anacharsis and Zamolxis, or from the companions of Achilles...
They also tell about the Tauro-Scythians that, until modern times, they never surrender to enemies, even when defeated - when there is no longer any hope of salvation, they pierce their insides with swords and thus kill themselves. They do this based on the following belief: those killed in battle by the enemy, they believe, become his slaves in the Underworld after death and the separation of the soul from the body. Fearing such service, disdaining to serve their murderers, they cause their own death. This is the conviction that possesses them.
4. Ibn Ruste, “The Book of Precious Treasures” (903–913)
When one of them dies, they burn his corpse. Their women, when they have a dead person, scratch their hands and faces with a knife. The next day, after the burning of the deceased, they go to the place where it took place, collect the ashes and put them in an urn, which they then place on the hill. A year after the death of the deceased, they take twenty jugs of honey, sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less, and carry them to the hill where the family of the deceased gathers, eat, drink and then disperse. If the deceased had three wives, and one of them claims that she [especially] loved him, then she brings two pillars to his corpse, and drives them upright into the ground, then they put the third pillar across, tie a rope in the middle of this crossbar, [ she] stands on the bench and ties the end of this rope around her neck. When she has done this, the bench is taken from under her, and she remains hanging until she suffocates and dies, and after death she is thrown into the fire, where she burns... When burning the dead, they indulge in noisy fun, thereby expressing their joy mercy shown to him (the deceased) by God...
They have healers, some of whom command the king as if they were their leaders. It happens that they order to sacrifice to their Creator whatever they please: women, men and horses, and when the healers order, it is impossible not to fulfill their order in any way. Having taken a person or animal, the healer throws a noose around his neck, hangs the victim on a log and waits until it suffocates, and says that this is a sacrifice to God...
When one of their nobles dies, they dig a grave for him in the form big house, they put him there and together with him they put in the same grave both his clothes and the gold bracelets that he wore; then they put in there a lot of food supplies, vessels with drinks and minted coins. Finally, the deceased’s beloved wife is placed in the grave alive. The opening of the grave is then blocked and the wife dies in custody.
5. Al-Masudi, “Gold pans and gem mines” (mid-10th century)
As for the pagans who are in the country of the Khazar king, some of the tribes of them are Slavs and Rus. They live in one of the two halves of this city and burn their dead with their beasts of burden, weapons and jewelry. When a man dies, his wife is burned alive with him; if a woman dies, then the husband is not burned; and if a single man dies among them, then they marry him after death. Their women desire their burning in order to enter heaven with them (husbands)...
The decree of the capital of the Khazar state that there are seven judges in it, two of them for Muslims, two for the Khazars, who judge according to the law of Taura, two for the local Christians, who judge according to the law of Injil; one of them is for the Slavs, Rus and other pagans, he judges according to the law of paganism, that is, according to the law of reason...
In the Slavic regions there were buildings revered by them. Between the others they had one building on a mountain, about which philosophers wrote that it was one of the highest mountains in the world. There is a story about this building about the quality of its construction, about the arrangement of its different stones and their different colors, about the holes made in its upper part, about what was built in these holes for observing the sunrise, about the precious stones and signs placed there , noted in it, which indicate future events and warn against incidents before their implementation, about the sounds heard in the upper part of it and about what befalls them when listening to these sounds. Another building was built by one of their kings on the Black Mountain; it is surrounded by wonderful waters, multi-colored and varied in taste, known for their benefits. In it they had a large idol in the image of a man, represented as an old man with a stick in his hand, with which he moves the bones of the dead from the graves. Under his right leg there are images of various ants, and under his left - images of black ravens, black wings and others, as well as [images of] strange Habashians and Zanjians (black people).
They had another building on a mountain, surrounded by a branch of the sea; it was built from red coral and green emerald. In its middle there is a large dome, under which there is an idol, the members of which are made of precious stones of four kinds: green peridot, red jahont, yellow carnelian and white crystal; his head is made of red gold. Opposite him is another idol in the form of a maiden who brings him sacrifices and incense. This building is attributed to some sage who was in their ancient times; in our previous books we have already given a story about him, about his deeds in the Slavic lands, about his witchcraft, cunning and mechanisms with which he captivated their hearts, captured their souls and seduced their minds, despite the rudeness of the morals of the Slavs and the difference in their natural qualities ...
6. Ibn Fadlan, “Risale” (922)
And as soon as their (Rus) ships arrive at this pier, each of them goes out and [carries] with him bread, meat, onions, milk and nabid, until he comes to a tall stuck piece of wood, which [has] a face similar to a person’s face, and around it (a piece of wood) are small images, and behind these images [are] tall pieces of wood stuck into the ground. So, he approaches the large image and worships it, then says to it: “Oh, my lord, I came from a distant country and with me there are so many girls, and so many heads, and so many sables, and so many skins,” until he reports everything that he brought with him from [among] his goods - “and I came to you with this gift”; - then he leaves what [was] with him in front of this piece of wood, - “and behold, I wish that you would grant me a merchant with numerous dinars and dirhams, and that [he] would buy from me as I wish, and not would contradict me in what I say.” Then he leaves. And so, if selling it is difficult for him and his stay is delayed, then he comes again with a gift for the second and third time, and if [it still] turns out to be difficult to do what he wants, then he brings to each image from [ number] of these small images as a gift and asks them for intercession and says: “These are the wives of our master, and his daughters, and his sons.” And he never ceases to turn to one image after another, asking them and begging them for intercession and humbly bowing before them. Sometimes selling is easy for him, so he will sell. Then he says: “My master has already fulfilled what I needed, and I should reward him.” And so, he takes a certain number of sheep or cattle and kills them, distributes part of the meat, and carries the rest and throws it in front of this large piece of wood and the small ones that [are] around it, and hangs the heads of cattle or sheep on these pieces of wood stuck in the ground. When night comes, the dogs come and eat it all. And the one who did this says: “My master has already become pleased with me and has eaten my gift.”
And [even before] they said that they do to their leaders when they die [such] things, of which the least [is] burning, so I really wanted to be present at this, until [the news] finally reached me. about the death of one outstanding man from among them. And so they laid him in his grave and covered it with a roof over him for ten days, until they finished cutting his clothes and sewing them together. And it happens that for a poor man from among them they make a small ship, put him (the dead) in it and burn it (the ship), and for the Rich Man [they do this]: they collect his money and divide it into three-thirds, - a third [remains] for his family, a third [is used to] cut clothes for him for her, and a third to prepare nabid for her, which they will drink on the day when his girlfriend kills herself and is burned along with her master... And so, when this husband, whom I mentioned earlier, died, they said to his girls: “Who will die with him?” And one of them said: “I am.” So, they entrusted her to two girls so that they would protect her and be with her wherever she went, even to the point that they sometimes washed her feet with their own hands. And they (relatives) set to work on his work - cutting clothes for him, preparing what he needed. And the girl drank and sang every day, having fun, enjoying the future. When the day came on which [he] and the girl would be burned, I arrived at the river on which [was] his ship, and behold, [I saw that] he had already been pulled [ashore] and four props had been placed for him made of hadanga (white poplar) and other [wood], and something like large wooden platforms were also placed around it (the ship). Then [the ship] was dragged [further] until it was placed on these wooden structures. And they began to leave and come, and spoke in speech [which] I do not understand. And he (the dead one) was far away in his grave, [since] they had not [yet] taken him out. Then they brought a bench, and placed it on the ship and covered it with quilted mattresses, and Byzantine brocade, and pillows made of Byzantine brocade, and an old woman, who is called the angel of death, came and spread the bedding on the bench that we mentioned. And she supervises the trimming of it and the preparation of it, and she kills the girls. And I saw that she was a witch, big (in body), gloomy (stern). When they arrived at his grave, they removed the earth from the tree (from the wooden cover) and removed the tree aside and took him out (dead) in the izar in which he died, and behold, I saw that he already blackened by the cold of [this] country. And they had previously placed with him in his grave a nabid and [a certain] fruit and a tunbur. So they took it all out, and lo and behold, it didn’t stink, and nothing changed about it except its color. So, they put on him trousers and leggings, and boots, and a jacket, and a brocade caftan with gold buttons, and put a sable brocade hat on his head. And they carried him until they brought him into the tent that was on the ship, and they sat him on a mattress, and propped him up with pillows, and they brought nabid, and fruit, and an incense plant, and laid him down with him. And they brought bread, and meat, and onions, and threw it in front of him, and they brought a dog, and cut it into two parts, and threw it in the ship. Then they brought all his weapons and placed them next to him. Then they took two horses and raced them both until they were both sweating. Then they cut them both with a sword and threw their meat in the ship, then they brought two cows and cut them both also and threw them both in it (the ship). Then they brought a rooster and a hen, and killed them, and threw them both in it (the ship). And the girl who wanted to be killed, leaving and coming, enters one after another of the yurts, and the owner of [this] yurt connects with her and says to her: “Tell your master: “Really, I did this out of love for you.” . When the time came in the afternoon, on Friday, they brought the girl to something that they had [already] made like a bandage around a [large] gate, and she put both her feet on her husband’s hands (palms), and she rose above this bandage [surveying the surroundings] and said [something] in her own language, after which they lowered her, then raised her a second [time], and she performed the same [action] as the first time, then they lowered her and raised her a third time , and she did the same thing she did [those] two times. Then they served her a chicken, but she cut off its head and threw it away. They took the chicken and threw it in the ship. I asked the translator about what she did, and he said: “She said the first time, when they raised her, “here I see my father and my mother,” and said the second, “here are all my dead relatives sitting , - and she said the third, “here I see my master sitting in the garden, and the garden is beautiful, green, and with him are men and youths, and now he is calling me, so lead me to him.” And they walked with her towards the ship. And so she took off the two bracelets that were on her and gave them both to that woman who is called the angel of death, and she is the one who kills her. And she (the girl) took off the two ankle rings that were on her, and gave them both to those two girls who had both [before] served her, and they were both daughters of a woman known as the angel of death. Then they took her onto the ship, but did not [yet] bring her into the tent, and the men came, [carrying] with them shields and pieces of wood, and gave her a cup of nabid, and so she sang over it and drank it. The translator told me that she was saying goodbye to her friends. Then another cup was given to her, and she took it and began to sing, and the old woman urged her to drink it and to enter the tent in which her master [was] located. And so I saw that she had already hesitated and wanted to enter the tent, but she stuck her head between it and the ship, the old woman grabbed her head and stuck it into the tent and entered with her (the girl), and the men began to hit the shields with pieces of wood. , so that the sound of her scream would not be heard, and other girls would become agitated and stop seeking death along with their masters. Then six husbands entered the tent and all copulated with the girl. Then they laid her on her side next to her master and two grabbed both her legs, two both her hands, and the old woman, called the angel of death, put a rope around her neck, diverging in opposite directions, and gave it to the two [husbands] so that they both they pulled her, and she came up, holding a dagger with a wide blade, and so began to thrust it between her ribs and take it out, while both husbands strangled her with a rope until she died. Then the closest relative of the dead man came up, took a piece of wood and lit it by the fire, then walked backwards, with the back of his head towards the ship, and his face (...), the lit piece of wood in one of his hands, and his other hand [lay] on the anus, [ he] being naked, until he lit the stacked wood that was under the ship. Then people came up with pieces of wood (pieces of wood for burning) and firewood, and with each [of them] a piece of wood (spear), the end of which he had previously ignited in order to throw it at these pieces of wood. And the fire began to burn for firewood, then for the ship, then for the tent, and the husband, and the girl, and everything that was in it; a great, terrifying wind blew, and the flame of the fire intensified, and its indomitable ignition flared up... not Not even an hour passed before the ship, the firewood, the girl, and the gentleman turned into ashes, then into ashes. Then they built on the site of this ship, which they pulled out of the river, something like a round hill and placed a large piece of hadanga (white poplar) in the middle of it, wrote on it the name of [this] husband and the name of the king of the Rus and left.
7. Thietmar of Merseburg, Chronicle (1012–1018)
There is in the region of the Redarii (one of the West Slavic tribes) a certain city called Ridegost, triangular and having three gates; It is surrounded on all sides by a large forest, inviolable and sacredly revered by the local residents. Two of these gates are open to all who enter; the third, facing east and the smallest, opens the way to the sea lying nearby, which is very scary in appearance. There is nothing in the city except a skillfully constructed sanctuary made of wood, the base of which is the horns of various animals. On the outside, as can be seen, its walls are decorated with elaborately carved images of various Gods and Goddesses. Inside are hand-made idols, each with a carved name, dressed in helmets and armor, which gives them a terrible appearance. The main one is called Svarozhich; all pagans respect and honor him more than others. Their banners are also never taken out of there, except perhaps military necessity; Moreover, only foot soldiers can carry them out.
24. To carefully care for the sanctuary, local residents appointed special servants. When they gather there to offer sacrifice to idols or to soften their anger, they sit while the rest stand nearby; secretly whispering to each other, they dig the ground with trepidation, and, casting lots, learn the truth in matters that raise doubt. Having completed this, they cover the lot with green turf, and, having stuck 2 pointed spears crosswise into the ground, with humble obedience they lead through them the horse, which is considered the largest among the others and is therefore revered as sacred; despite the already cast lot, observed by them earlier, through this supposedly Divine animal they carry out fortune-telling a second time. And if the same sign appears in both cases, the plan is carried out; if not, the saddened people abandon the idea. An ancient legend, entangled in various superstitions, testifies that when they are in dire danger of a long rebellion, a huge boar with white tusks, shining with foam, emerges from the said sea, and, joyfully wallowing in the mud, reveals itself to many.
25. (18.) There are as many temples as there are in those parts, in each of which the idol of one or another demon is revered by the infidels. Moreover, the above-mentioned city occupies a special position among them. Going to war, they say goodbye to him, and having returned successfully, they honor him with the prescribed gifts; by lot and horse, as I have already said, they diligently find out what the servants should sacrifice to the Gods. Their especially strong anger is softened by the blood of animals and people. All of them called common name Lyutichs are not ruled by any one ruler. The solution to the necessary case is discussed in general meeting, after which everyone must agree to carry it out. If any of the villagers oppose the decision taken, they beat him with sticks; and if he openly resists him outside the meeting, he is punished either by burning and complete plunder of all his goods, or by paying a sum of money corresponding to his rank in their presence. They themselves are unfaithful and fickle, but from others they demand great and unshakable loyalty. They make peace by shaving off some of their hair, through grass, and by shaking hands. However, for money they can easily be forced to break it.
8. Helmold, “Slavic Chronicle” (1167–1168)
Beyond the slowly flowing Odra and various tribes of Pomeranians, in the west we meet the country of those Vinuls who are called Dolenchans and Ratars. Their city is known everywhere - Retra, the center of idolatry. A large temple for the Gods was built here. The main one is Redegast. His idol is made of gold, his bed is made of purple. This city has nine gates and is surrounded on all sides by a deep lake. There is a wooden bridge for crossing, but the path along it is open only to those making sacrifices and asking for answers...
An ancient legend that came down from our ancestors tells that during the time of Louis II, monks known for their holiness came out of Corveia, who, trying to save the Slavs, doomed themselves for the sake of preaching the word of God to the dangers and death that threatened them. Having passed through many Slavic lands, they came to those called ranas, or ruyans, and live in the heart of the sea. There was a hotbed of error and a nest of idolatry. Preaching the word of God here with all boldness, they acquired [for Christianity] the entire island and even founded a temple here in honor of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and in memory of St. Vitus, patron saint of Corveia. Then, when, by God’s permission, things changed, the wounds fell away from faith and immediately, expelling the priests and Christians, they replaced faith with superstition. For St. They consider Vitus, whom we recognize as a martyr and servant of Christ, to be God, placing the creation above the creator. And there is no other barbarity under heaven that would terrify priests and Christians more [than this]. They are proud of the name of St. Vitus, to whom a temple and an idol were dedicated with the greatest pomp, ascribing primacy among the Gods to him. People from all Slavic lands come here for answers and annually deliver funds for sacrifices. Merchants who accidentally arrive at their places are given any opportunity to sell or sleep no earlier than they have donated something valuable from their goods to God, and then only the goods are put on the market. They honor their priest no less than the king. All this superstition of the wounds has been preserved from the time when they first renounced the faith to the present day...
Bishop John, an elder, captured with other Christians in Magnopol, that is, in Mikilinburg, his life was saved for the triumph of [the pagans]. For his commitment to Christ, he was [first] beaten with sticks, then he was taken to be mocked throughout all the Slavic cities, and when it was impossible to force him to renounce the name of Christ, the barbarians cut off his arms and legs, threw his body onto the road, and cut off his head, having stuck it on a spear, they sacrificed it to their God Redegast as a sign of victory. All this happened in the capital of the Slavs, Retra, on the fourth Ides of November...
After Knut, nicknamed Lavard, king of the Bodrici, died, he was succeeded by Pribislav and Niklot, dividing the state into two parts and ruling: one the land of the Vagrians and Polabians, the other the land of the Bodrichi. These were two gloomy monsters who were very hostile towards Christians. And in these days, zealous worship of idols and the delusions of various superstitions reigned throughout the entire Slavic land. For in addition to the groves and Bozhkov, with which the fields and villages abounded, the first and most important were Prove, the God of the Aldenburg land, Zhiva, the Goddess of the Polabs, and Redegast, the God of the Bodrich land. Priests were assigned to them and sacrifices were made, and numerous religious rites were performed for them. When the priest, according to the instructions of fortune-telling, announces festivities in honor of the Gods, men and women with children gather and offer sacrifices to their Gods in the form of oxen and sheep, and many also of people - Christians, whose blood, as they assure, gives special pleasure to their Gods. After killing the sacrificial animal, the priest tastes its blood in order to become more zealous in receiving Divine prophecies. For the Gods, as many believe, are more easily evoked through blood. Having made sacrifices, according to custom, the people indulge in feasts and fun.
The Slavs have an amazing misconception. Namely: during feasts and libations, they throw a sacrificial bowl around, pronouncing, I won’t say blessings, but rather spells on behalf of the Gods, namely, the good God and the evil one, believing that all successes are directed by the good God, and all misfortunes by the evil God . Therefore, in their language they call the evil God the devil, or Chernobog, that is, the Black God. Among the many Slavic Deities, the main one is Svyatovit, the God of the Rana land, since he is the most convincing in answers. Next to him, they consider everyone else as if they were Demigods. Therefore, as a sign of special respect, they are in the habit of annually sacrificing to him a person - a Christian, whom the lot will indicate. From all Slavic lands, established donations are sent for sacrifices to Svyatovit. The Slavs treat their Deity with amazing respect, for they do not take oaths easily and do not tolerate the dignity of his temple being violated even during enemy invasions...
Having stayed with the prince that night and the next day and night, we went further through Slavia to visit one powerful man, whose name was Teshemir, for he invited us to his place. And it happened that along the road we came to a grove, the only one in this region that is located entirely on the plain. Here, among very old trees, we saw sacred oaks dedicated to the God of this land, Prove. They were surrounded by a courtyard surrounded by a wooden, skillfully made fence that had two gates. All cities abounded in penates and idols, but this place was the shrine of the whole earth. There was a priest here, and his own festivities, and various rituals of sacrifice. Here, every second day of the week, all the people with the prince and the priest used to gather for judgment. Entrance to the courtyard was allowed only to the priest and those wishing to make a sacrifice or those who were threatened deadly danger, because such people have never been denied shelter here.
The Slavs have such respect for their shrines that the place where the temple is located is not allowed to be desecrated with blood, even during war. They take an oath with great reluctance, fearing to incur the wrath of the Gods, for among the Slavs an oath is tantamount to breaking it. The Slavs have many different types idolatry. For they do not all adhere to the same pagan customs. Some cover the unimaginable statues of their idols with temples, such as the idol in Pluna, whose name is Podaga; for others, the Deities inhabit forests and groves, like Prove, the God of the Aldenburg land - they do not have any idols. They carve many Gods with two, three or more heads. Among the diverse Deities to whom they dedicate fields, forests, sorrows and joys, they recognize the One God who rules over others in the heavens, they recognize that He, omnipotent, cares only about heavenly affairs, they (other Gods), obeying Him, fulfill the duties assigned to them, and that they come from His blood and each of them is the more important the closer he stands to this God of Gods.
When we came to this grove and to this place of godlessness, the bishop began to exhort us to boldly begin to destroy the grove. He himself, getting off his horse, knocked down the facial decorations from the gate with a pole. And, entering the courtyard, we destroyed its entire fence and dumped it in one heap around sacred trees, and, having added fire, they made a fire from many logs, but not without fear, lest the indignation of the inhabitants fall upon us. But God protected us...
And the count commanded the Slavic people to bring their dead for burial to the church courtyard, and on holidays to go to church to listen to the word of God. And the word of God, according to the envoy entrusted to him, was expounded to them by the shepherd of God Bruno, having sermons composed in the Slavic language, which he delivered in a way that was understandable to the people. And from that time on, the Slavs refrained from taking oaths at trees, springs and stones, and those caught committing any crimes were brought to their priest so that he could test them with iron or plowshares...
And the work of the king of Denmark succeeded, and with a mighty hand he took the land of the Ruyans, and they gave him as ransom for themselves as much as the king had appointed. And the king ordered to pull out this ancient idol of Svyatovit, which is revered by all the Slavic people, and ordered to throw a rope around his neck and drag him in the middle of the army in front of the Slavs and, breaking him into pieces, throw him into the fire. And the king destroyed his sanctuary with all the objects of veneration and plundered his rich treasury. And he commanded that they retreat from their errors, in which they were born, and join in the veneration of the true God. And he allocated funds for the construction of churches...
An old legend recalls that Louis, the son of Charles, once granted the land of Ruyan to St. Vita in Corveia, because he himself was the founder of this monastery. The preachers who came out from there, as they say, converted the people of the Ruyans, or Rans, to the faith and founded a temple there in honor of the martyr St. Vita, whom this earth reveres. After the wounds, they are also ruins, with a change in circumstances deviated from the light of truth, an error arose among them, worse than before, for St. Vitus, whom we recognize as a servant of God, began to be revered as God, erected a huge idol in his honor and served the creation more than the creator. And since then, this delusion among the wounds has become so established that Svyatovit, the God of the Ruyan land, took first place among all the Slavic Deities, the brightest in victories, the most convincing in answers. Therefore, in our time, not only the Vagrian land, but also all other Slavic lands sent offerings here annually, honoring him as the God of Gods. The king is held in less esteem by them than the priest. For he carefully explores the answers [of the Divine] and interprets what is recognizable in fortune-telling. He depends on the instructions of fortune-telling, and the king and the people depend on his instructions. Among various sacrifices, the priest is in the habit of sometimes sacrificing Christian people, assuring that this kind of blood gives special pleasure to the Gods...
9. Saxo Grammaticus, “The Acts of the Danes” (second half of the 12th century)
The city of Arkona lies on the top of a high cliff; from the north, east and south it is protected by natural protection... on the western side it is protected by a high embankment of 50 cubits... In the middle of the city lies an open square on which rises a wooden temple of excellent workmanship, but venerable not so much for the splendor of its architecture as for its grandeur God, to whom an idol was erected here. The entire outer side of the building shone with skillfully made bas-reliefs of various figures, but ugly and crudely painted. There was only one entrance to the interior of the temple, surrounded by a double fence. The outer fence consisted of a thick wall with a red roof; the inner one was made of four strong columns, which, not connected by a solid wall, were hung with carpets that reached to the ground, and were adjacent to the outer fence with only a few arches and a roof. In the temple itself stood a large idol, exceeding human height, with four heads, on as many necks, two of which came out of the chest and two to the ridge, but in such a way that from both front and both back heads, one looked to the right and the other to the left. . The hair and beard were cut short, and in this, it seemed, the artist was in accordance with the custom of the Ruyans. IN right hand the idol held a horn made of various metals, which was usually filled with wine every year from the hands of the priest to tell fortunes about the fertility of the next year; left hand, with which the idol rested on its side, was likened to a bow. The outer clothing went down to the ankle boots, which were made of various types of trees and were so skillfully connected to the knees that only upon careful examination could the fugues be distinguished. The legs stood level with the ground, their foundation was made under the floor. In a short distance the bridle and saddle of the idol with other accessories were visible. The observer was most struck by a huge sword, the scabbard and handle of which, in addition to beautiful carved shapes, were distinguished by silver trim... To maintain the idol, each inhabitant of the island of both sexes contributed a coin. They also gave him a third of the spoils and thefts, believing that his protection would bring success. In addition, he had at his disposal three hundred horses and the same number of horsemen, who handed over everything obtained either by violence or cunning to the high priest; From here various temple decorations were prepared. Other things were kept in locked chests; in them, in addition to a huge amount of gold, lay many purple clothes, but rotten and thin from old age.
One could also see many public and private gifts, donated with pious vows, asking for help, because the entire Slavic land gave tribute to this idol. Even neighboring sovereigns sent him gifts with reverence: by the way, the Danish king Svenon, to appease him, brought as a gift a cup of the most skillful decoration...
This God also had temples in very many other places, administered by priests of lesser importance. In addition, he had with him a horse, completely white, from which it was considered impious to pull out a hair from its mane or tail. Only the high priest could feed him and ride him, so that an ordinary bridle would not humiliate the Divine animal. They believed that on this horse Svyatovit was waging war against the enemies of his sanctuary. This followed from the fact that a horse, standing in a stall at night, was often covered in foam and mud in the morning, as if it had returned from a long journey...
Svyatovit was symbolized different signs, in particular, carved eagles and banners, the main one of which was called Stanitsa. It was excellent in size and color and was revered by the Ruyan people almost as much as the greatness of all the Gods. ...And the power of this small piece of canvas was stronger than the power of the prince.
10. Jan Dlugosz, “History of Poland” (XV century)
From the book New Bible Commentary Part 2 (Old Testament) by Carson Donalda) foreign languages p. circa, about (with dates)Ecclus. Ecclesiasticus (in Apocrypha)f. (ff.) and the following verse(s)lit. literallyLXX Septuagint (Gk. version of OT)Mass. Maccabees (in Apocripha)mg. marginMS/MSS manuscript(s)MT Massoretic Text (of the OT)1QH Thanksgiving Hymns (from Qumran)1QS Rules of the Community (from
From the book New Bible Commentary Part 3 ( New Testament) by Carson Donalda) foreign languages p. circa, about (with dates)Ecclus. Ecclesiasticus (in Apocrypha)f. (ff.) and the following verse(s)lit. literallyLXX Septuagint (Gk. version of OT)Mass. Maccabees (in Apocripha)mg. marginMS/MSS manuscript(s)MT Massoretic Text (of the OT)1QH Thanksgiving Hymns (from Qumran)1QS Rules of the Community
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There have always been different religions and beliefs in the world. Which, by the way, never completely disappeared, even if they became irrelevant. In this article I would like to talk about the pagans: their rituals, faith and various interesting nuances.
Main
First of all, we note that paganism is a very ancient religion that existed among the Slavs before the adoption of Christianity. It is safe to say that this is a whole universal system of views that fully gave the general picture of the world to the inhabitants of those times. Our ancestors had their own pantheon of gods, which was hierarchical. And the people themselves were confident in the close connection between the inhabitants of the parallel world and the ordinary one. The pagans believed that spirits always controlled them in everything, so not only the spiritual, but also the material part of life was subordinated to them.
A little history
At the end of the first millennium AD, at a time when Christianity was adopted in Rus', everything related to paganism was suppressed and eradicated. They burned and floated ancient idols on the water. They tried to completely get rid of these beliefs. However, we can say with confidence that this was done very poorly. Indeed, to this day, elements of pagan rituals have been preserved in the Orthodox faith, creating an amazing symbiosis of Byzantine culture and paganism. It must also be said that the first memories of these beliefs appeared in medieval manuscripts, when the papal curia actively attracted people to Catholicism. The pagans also fell under this action (who they are is known). The entries in the diaries of Catholics were mostly condemning. As for the Russian chroniclers, they did not want to talk about paganism at that time, emphasizing that it practically does not exist.
About the concept
Understanding the concept of “pagans” (who they are, what are the characteristics of their faith and worldview), you need to find out what it means. If you understand the etymology, you must say that the root here is the word “language”. However, it also meant “people, tribe.” We can conclude that the concept itself can be translated as “folk faith” or “tribal faith.” The Slavic term “paganism” can also be interpreted as “the strength of bonds.”
About faith
So, pagans: who were they, what did they believe? It is worth saying that their very system of beliefs was almost ideal and completely inseparable from nature. She was revered, worshiped and given generous gifts. For the Slavs, the center of the entire Universe was Mother Nature. It was understood as a kind of living organism that not only thinks, but also has a soul. Her powers and elements were deified and spiritualized. However, this is not surprising, because Nature is so natural that special wisdom can be traced here without any problems. Moreover, the pagans (who they are, we, in principle, considered) considered themselves children of nature and could not imagine their life without it, for the Vedic system of knowledge and beliefs assumed close interaction and coexistence in harmony with the surrounding world. What was the faith of our ancestors? The Slavs had three main cults: the Sun, Mother Earth and the veneration of the elements.
Cult of the Earth
The pagans believed that the Earth was the mother of everything. Here everything is explained quite simply, because, according to the ancient Slavs, it is the center of fertility: the Earth gives life not only to plants, but also to all animals. Why they called her Mother is also not difficult to explain. Our ancestors believed that it was the earth that gave birth to them, it gives them strength, you just have to bend down to it. Let us note that many of the rituals that exist today have come to us since those times. Let us recall, for example, the need to take a handful of one’s own land to a foreign land or to bow to the ground at a wedding for young parents.
Sun worship
The sun in the beliefs of the ancient Slavs acts as a symbol of all-conquering good. It must also be said that pagans were often called sun worshipers. People at that time lived according to the solar calendar, paying special attention to the dates of the winter and It was at this time that important holidays were celebrated, such as, for example, (end of June). It will also be interesting that the inhabitants of those times revered the sign of the swastika, which was called the solar Kolovrat. However, this symbolism did not carry any negativity at that time, but personified the victory of good over evil, light and purity. This sign of wisdom was also a talisman endowed with cleansing power. It was always applied to clothing, weapons, and household items.
Honoring the Elements
The pagan Slavs treated such elements as air, water and fire with the greatest respect. The last two were considered purifying, as powerful and life-giving as the earth itself. As for fire, it is, according to the Slavs, a powerful energy that establishes balance in the world and strives for justice. Fire purified not only the body, but also the soul (indicative in this regard are jumping over a blazing fire on Ivan Kupala). The flame was of great importance at funerals. At that time, bodies were burned, exposing not only the earthly shell of a person to the cleansing power of fire, but also his soul, which after this ritual easily went to the ancestors. In pagan times, water was highly revered. People considered her the only source of strength and energy. At the same time, they respected not only rivers and other bodies of water, but also the heavenly waters - rain, believing that in this way the gods would grant strength not only to the earth itself, but also to its inhabitants. People were purified with water, they were treated with it (“living” and “dead” water), they even used it to tell fortunes and predict the future.
Past
Russian pagans also treated their past, or rather, their ancestors, with great respect. They revered their grandfathers and great-grandfathers and often resorted to their help. It was believed that the souls of ancestors do not disappear anywhere, they protect their family, helping people from a parallel world. Twice a year the Slavs celebrated the day when they honored their dead relatives. It was called Radonitsa. At this time, relatives communicated with their ancestors at their graves, asking for the safety and health of the entire family. It was necessary to leave a small gift (this ritual still exists today - a funeral service at the cemetery, when people bring sweets and cookies with them).
Pantheon of Gods
First of all, I would like to say that the gods of the pagans represent one or another element or natural force. So, the most important gods were Rod (who created life on earth) and Rozhanitsy (goddesses of fertility, thanks to whom after winter the earth was reborn to new life; they also helped women give birth to children). One of the most important gods was also Svarog - the creator and ruler of the universe, the Father-Progenitor, who gave people not only earthly fire, but also heavenly fire (the Sun). Svarozhichi were such gods as Dazhdbog and Perun of lightning and thunder). The solar deities were Khors (a circle, hence the word “round dance”) and Yarilo (the god of the hottest and brightest summer sun). The Slavs also revered Veles, the god who was the patron of livestock. He was also the god of wealth, because previously one could become rich only thanks to livestock, which brought good profits. Among the goddesses, the most significant were Lada of youth, love, marriage and family), Makosh (giver of life to the harvest) and Morana of cold, winter). People in those days also revered brownies, goblins, water spirits - spirits that guarded everything that surrounded a person: house, water, forests, fields.
Rituals
Various pagan rituals were also important. As already mentioned, they could be cleansing for the body and soul (using water and fire). There were also security rituals that were carried out in order to protect a person or house from evil spirits. Sacrifice was no stranger to the Slavs. Thus, gifts to the gods could be both bloodless and bloody. The first ones were given as gifts to ancestors or beregins. Blood sacrifices were needed, for example, by Perun and Yarila. At the same time, birds and livestock were brought as gifts. All rituals had sacred meaning.
Andrey KOMPANEETS
The world in which the Orthodox Church lives resembles a harmful environment that undermines its strength on all sides. By by and large, this is normal - because it is natural and inevitable. In conditions when the enemy of the human race is trying with all his might to lead this hated race away from the true path, one cannot expect anything else. Unfortunately, there are more and more enemies, and their teeth are becoming sharper... Lately they were joined by banal, seemingly forgotten paganism, and in its ancient forms. At first, the mention of him made most people smile with naivety - they say, fairy tales, pampering, exoticism. However, when representatives of the “folk religion” raised their voices against the Church, adult games no longer seemed so harmless. And at the present time we are forced to admit that paganism is on a par with various sects that openly oppose Christianity. Moreover, someone, and this religious atavism, has too many claims against Orthodoxy since the time of Saint Prince Vladimir. So how did it happen that neo-paganism became a real force in the struggle for the human soul? And what is this well-forgotten old thing?
It is almost impossible to answer these questions in one small review article. Therefore, we will only try to outline the main problem areas.
With the advent of Christianity in Rus', paganism, willy-nilly, went underground - both physical and spiritual. Unfortunately, the idols overthrown from the hills fell into the bosoms of many residents of ancient Russian villages and cities. And, having stood at Vespers in the church, people at home secretly lit fires near the miniature figures of Perun, Dazhdbog or Mokosh. And the point here is not that the Slavs saw and understood the advantage of their first religion. One amazing feature of our people simply showed itself, which was expressed with particular vividness by Alexei Konstantinovich Tolstoy:
If you love, so without reason,
If you threaten, it’s not a joke,
If you scold, so rashly,
If you chop, it’s too bad!
Indeed, we love to reach the very edge in everything, to stand over the abyss, and sometimes even to jump there. It was this national trait that forced the pagan Slavs to act contrary to the decrees of the Orthodox princes. This same feature of the soul led schismatics to the stake almost six hundred years later. And therefore we should not attribute to our people a “natural predisposition” to idolatry.
However, the time of fires and persecutions has passed. And at the end of the twentieth century, paganism was resurrected...
Everything happened within some last 25 years. People started talking about the phenomenon of neo-paganism around the mid-80s. It was then, as Anton Prokofiev writes, that “the fascination of a significant part of the intelligentsia with Eastern religions and yogic practices arose, which in many cases aroused interest in similar systems in Russia.” Through martial arts training, some active elements who were interested in ancient Russian folklore and history came to the Slavic-Goritsky wrestling. A whole range of exercises and techniques was developed. By 1996, about 40 thousand people were already involved in wrestling. Along with martial arts, paganism also spread in Russia, the adoption of which, as a rule, became the logical conclusion of sporting interests. This phenomenon was not absolute. It became most widespread among military-patriotic clubs that were engaged in recreating ancient military customs and costumes. Moreover, the pantheon of gods was not necessarily Slavic. The choice of gods depended on the traditions of which country the club was involved in. There were, for example, cases of veneration Scandinavian gods. Wherein important element ritual became the adoption of the name of the national tradition that was studied by the adherents. For example - Jaromir, Svetozar, Gosterad, etc.
An active passion for martial arts attracted fascist elements among the newly-minted pagans. They formed separate communities, distinguished by strict discipline, which was not found in other associations. Obviously, they were attracted to paganism not by the mystical and ritual side, but by the opportunity on a religious level to justify hatred of Jews (and sometimes even Christians). Therefore, it is natural that the national, namely “Aryan”, question became the main one in the ideology of the fascist pagans. It got to the point that Moses was declared an Aryan, whose teachings were allegedly perverted by the Jews.
In addition to the communities built on the basis of the study of martial arts, an intellectual movement also emerged in parallel. It included people of science and culture - in a word, the thinking intelligentsia. They reached polytheism through comparisons and mistakes. Their main occupation was the active study of cult and ritual traditions. There are also very original formations. For example, the Ryazan Slavic pagan community, consisting entirely of women who adhere to feminist views.
However, sports and scientific interests were only a consequence of another, global cause, which forced people to turn to paganism. At the turn of the 80s and 90s, the inconsistency of communist ideology became obvious to many. And nature does not tolerate emptiness. So it was filled with ancient Slavic beliefs. Why not Orthodoxy? Unfortunately, at that time the Church could not preach; moreover, it was not ready for it. Decades of atheistic propaganda played an important role. Something similar happened in Germany in the 30s. Then Lutheranism, devoid of the mystical side of religious life, ceased to satisfy the Germans - and many turned their gaze to the East, to Tibet. And in Russia they looked back at their distant past.
And as a result, the cult of two main gods was formed - Perun (god of war) and Veles (god of fertility, wisdom and poetry). This Slavic gods. However, neo-pagans, for the most part, believe that they are reviving the Aryan tradition, supposedly characteristic of the Slavs. Only one half is sure that they are carriers of an ancestral tradition, leading a direct line from ancient times. And the second is that a complete religious system has not survived, and they are only collectors of small fragments of a large chronicle. In general, the worldview of modern paganism combines pantheistic and polytheistic views. In pagan ethics there are no ideas of mercy, no concepts of good and evil. (However, there is currently no consensus on this issue. Thus, Vladimir Istarkhov, academician of the Aryan-Russian-Slavic Academy, believes that “good and evil really exist in the world, this is obvious to everyone.”) Freedom for them is freedom of choice whether to follow the Universal Law or not. Therefore, you can ignore the gods, and thereby deliberately destroy yourself. The main god is recognized as Rod, who created the world and is also the same. Moreover, Rod himself is an impersonal “being,” and all the other gods (including Veles and Perun) are the essence of his emanations. However, with the caveat that the divine personality is a more complex phenomenon than the human personality.
However, the fact is that personality refers to those phenomena that either exist in in full, or do not exist at all. You can't be more dead or almost pregnant. A personality either exists or it doesn’t. And Christian theology says that the personality of God is incomparably more high order than a person's personality. However, this does not mean that He becomes impersonal afterwards. Let us remember that, according to myths, Veles was the son of a cow and was represented in the form of a bear, Perun gave people such a substantive thing as a plow, and Makosh generally had a distinctive feature - feminine. Everything is very specific and individual.
Why talk about personality here, you ask? Everything is very simple. Apologists of paganism argue (contrary to the generally accepted point of view in science) that monotheism is a simplification of the esoteric component of a polytheistic religion. In other words, the unifying pantheistic Power was “endowed” with personal characteristics and elevated to the rank of a single deity. So, if you follow the logic of the idolaters, for example, the religion of the ancient Jews appeared.
The pagan camp (there is no other way to call such a formation) formed, although quickly, but has not yet become homogeneous. It does not have a single administrative and spiritual center. The community is based around a recognized authoritative believer, who, as a rule, belongs to the first wave of neo-paganism. This, however, does not prevent him from using the experience of his brothers, and, moreover, from bringing paganism to the masses.
After all, the time has passed when communities of “Dazhdboz’s grandchildren” led a spiritual life at the level of subsistence farming. Now they have come out with open propaganda of the “original faith.” Currently, the geography of paganism is vast, and the smoke of ritual bonfires smokes in many cities of Russia and neighboring countries: Moscow, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg, Tambov, Smolensk, Vladimir, Kaluga, Kiev, Magnitogorsk, Kemerovo, Omsk, St. Petersburg, Ozersk, Odessa , Lithuania, Estonia, as well as the Czech Republic, Slovakia and other countries..
Having said at the beginning of the article that paganism has ceased to be a harmless hobby, we were not mistaken. Indeed, having grown stronger and having finally determined what they believe in, the pagans decided to take revenge - and criticized the Russian Orthodox Church. However, they did not discover or say anything new. All this was already heard both in the first centuries of Christianity and from the lips of Helena Blavatsky and the Roerichs. Moreover, it seems that the pagans are dissatisfied with Orthodoxy precisely because it took away two thousand years of history from them. And therefore all means are used indiscriminately.
So, for example, in the article “The future is... paganism!” candidate historical sciences Lyudmila Zhukova writes: “Christianity does not meet the level of modern requirements on two points. Firstly, there are no environmental priorities in Christian doctrine. Healthy nature is taken for granted in Christianity. Secondly, because of anthropomorphism. The central figure of the Christian myth is the personality of Jesus Christ, the image of a mythologized, deified man, born of an earthly woman. In the merging of the images of man and God, features of a cult of personality are revealed, but not top level". I am afraid that the dangerous path of “adjusting” religion to today can level it down to the level of a set of moral and everyday rules. Religion must be soteriological (literally (Greek) - the science of salvation) and take care of the human soul. This is hardly the case , in order to save the lungs of the planet, you need to become a pagan. And to resist the development of civilization on the planet means dooming yourself to the fate of Sisyphus. Regarding the “cult of personality,” it is not clear what seems wild to the author? The cult of the divine personality is religion. And the gods of the pagans are also personal (this was discussed above).
By promoting their faith, pagans rely on the fact that in their religious life they are not guided by any rules. As, for example, one of the adherents says: “paganism<...>this worldview is not limited (at least for now) by dogmas of a thousand years ago, like Christianity. That is, it is much higher..." And very often an inexperienced God-seeker falls for this bait. After all, how much more pleasant is it to live carefree than to constantly work on your soul. However, it is difficult to agree with this position of the pagans. Everything in this world lives according to the laws , including the soul of a person. Let a pagan try to hit a child just like that or take the last money out of a poor pensioner’s pocket. Sooner or later it will become shameful - and this is a spiritual law. But if the pagans do not recognize such laws and their souls remain silent, then what kind of “enlightenment” can we talk about?
Another feature of neo-paganism follows from the denial of spiritual laws - disagreement with the sinfulness of man and the world: " Pagan Tradition does not recognize the word in the Christian sense, just as it does not consider the world as, ...". In this case, it may turn out that man is the most terrible of all creatures in the universe (remember that according to the Holy Scriptures, man was originally the most beautiful of creatures and can return to this state), and world evil is a normal phenomenon. If we have always been vicious, cruel and soulless, then on the basis of what can we improve? Paganism does not give answers to all these questions.
And in conclusion, we repeat once again that this article does not pretend to be serious scientific work. This is just a small critical overview of the state of modern Slavic paganism. It’s too early to draw large-scale conclusions. However, it is already clear that another force has appeared (or rather, resurrected) on the spiritual front - neo-paganism. And we should not underestimate its capabilities.
Publication date: November 26, 2001
Religion in Russia
Religious ideas of people originate in the era Early Paleolithic, approximately 400 thousand years ago, and are associated with the fact that man could not explain some natural phenomena and processes, giving it all magical properties, and recognizing their powerlessness in the face of natural elements. All pagan beliefs have common features and are somewhat similar to each other, but there are also differences. A special religion, which has its own unique pantheon of deities, developed among the Slavic tribes, so let’s look deep into the centuries, and our short review presents the most famous and revered Slavic Gods.
Genus
In the Slavic religion, as in the beliefs of other peoples of the world, there was a world tree. For our ancestors it was an Oak tree, on the top of which sat Rod, often depicted as a Falcon.
It was this deity who personified the unity of the clan and watched everything that happened from above. The cult of the Family is associated with many rituals and traditions, including abundant sacrifices.
Over time, the cult of the Family becomes traditionally female, but an echo of it masculinity It may be that falconry was a purely male activity and was a princely privilege.
Man divides the world into two components - one that is friendly to people and one that is hostile, which is why many religions, including the Slavic, depict the eternal struggle between Good and Evil.
Among the Slavs, Belobog, who was considered the god of happiness and good luck, personified the bright, human-friendly side. But the dark side was the domain of Chernobog. There was a constant struggle between these deities, which was reflected in legends and tales.
Society developed, and over time, faith in Belobog and Chernobog was lost, although their traces were preserved in Russian fairy tales in the images of Fate and Share.
This female deity personified earthly and female fertility, and was especially revered in Slavic society, because according to legend, Kolyada gave people the Sun.
Kolyada was the wife of Belobog, and every spring she gave birth to a new Sun. Chernobog in every possible way prevented the revival of light, and constantly harmed Kolyada. He ordered his wife Mara to kill Kolyada, but she turned into a goat and was able to escape.
Echoes of the cult of Kolyada and the birth of the Sun God can be observed in Christians’ celebration of Christmas, where among the characters there is a goat who saved Kolyada, and carolers carry with them a star that more closely resembles the Sun.
After sunset comes the time of Chernobog and his wife Mary. Mara walks between people's houses, pronouncing their names out loud, and whoever responds to her voice dies immediately.
She is the ruler of the kingdom of the dead, the goddess of Evil, Diseases, Scary Dreams and Night. Mara had thirteen daughters, whom people personified with the most terrible vices and misfortunes.
As in the confrontation between Belbog and Chernobog, the confrontation between Mary and Kolyada reflects the struggle between Life and Death, Good and Evil principles existing on Earth.
The Slavs usually depicted Bozhich as a heavenly deer with golden antlers that shone dazzlingly, giving people light and joy.
Naturally, it personified the cycle of day and night, the change of seasons, and was closely associated with the agricultural cult. Every spring, having been reborn, Bozhich gave people joy, hope for a rich harvest, and, consequently, for a happy life.
With the development of the Slavs and the complexity of social relations, Bozhich loses its original meaning, and he is replaced by more influential deities personifying the Sun.
With the emergence of inequality in Slavic society and strengthening, a formidable and strong God was needed, personifying power and statehood.
This is precisely the kind of God that Perun became, who eventually became the main Slavic deity of the pre-Christian period of history. The Thunder God was a reflection of the agricultural cult and was responsible for the appearance of rains.
Over time, he becomes a princely god, and Vladimir makes him the main god of Rus', whose idol was installed on the temple in Kyiv. With the adoption of Christianity, he transformed into Elijah the Prophet, especially revered in Orthodoxy.
Particularly revered by the Slavs, the god patronized fire and blacksmithing. It was Svarog who contributed to the development of technology and scientific knowledge.
The worship of fire was one of the very first religious cults, which later became entrenched in all world religions, including Christianity.
The image of the blacksmith god harmoniously entered into the legend of the fight against the snake, which sought to destroy the harvest. Blacksmiths were especially revered in Rus', which may be why the most common surname among the Slavs is Kuznetsov, and all derivatives from blacksmith are Koval, Kovalev, Kovalenko.
The Slavs have long worshiped the Sun, and we already know that there was Bozhich, personifying the Sun, as well as the process of the revival of nature.
As they developed, the Slavs began to come into close contact with tribes that came from the East, and many historians believe that the Slavic Horse is a direct continuation of the ancient Iranian Khurset.
Whatever it was, Horse personified the solar disk, the circle among the Slavs. Many words in the Russian language have the basis “choir” - “good”, “chorus”, that is, the whole world, the whole community, and the round dance, as everyone knows, is an educated circle of people holding hands.
The basis of the Slavic economy, along with agriculture, was cattle breeding, which is why Veles appears in the pantheon of deities, responsible for the livestock of the Slavic community.
His traces remained not only in legends, but also in historical documents. This is what the Russians swear, including by Veles, when signing the treaty with the Greeks in 907. It also appears in ancient Russian literary works, including “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign.”
In Christianity, Veles was transformed into Saint Blaise, who was responsible for caring for livestock, and his day was often called “cow holiday” in Rus'.
It is believed that this deity was also formed under the influence of Eastern religions, because the ancient Iranians had a deity called Simurgh, depicted as a dog.
Historians cannot clearly determine the functions of the Slavic Semargl, but perhaps he was a messenger between the earthly and heavenly worlds, which is why he was depicted with wings, as well as a guardian of crops.
In Rus', the veneration of Semargl is associated with the fact that Russian society was heterogeneous in national law, and in addition to the Slavs, a large number of immigrants from the east lived in Kyiv and other cities.
Dadbog, or Dazhdbog, like Khors, was the god of the Sun, but had more ancient roots in Slavic society. In legends and literary works it is often mentioned together with Stribog, and together they personify a clear, cloudless sky.
One of the most revered deities among the Slavs, since the name itself reflects the process of turning to God - “God willing.” As we can see, this idiom has taken hold in Christian prayers, and the expression “As God willing” is a clear reflection of the image of the Slavic Dazhbog.
Traces of belief in Dazhbog survived in Rus' until the 18th century. It is often mentioned in folk songs and tales.
In the pantheon of Slavic Gods there was also a female deity Mokosh, or Makosh, personifying earthly and female fertility. In addition, Mokosh acted as the patroness of the household and women's handicrafts and weaving.
One of Mokoshi’s important functions was also the protection of water sources and springs. She patronizes pregnant women, helps them bear fruit and successfully give birth, and women, in turn, offered prayers to their beloved goddess at wells, rivers and lakes. The etymology of the name of the goddess is closely related to the expression “Mother is the damp earth,” literally Mokosh.
The Slavs revered Mokosh as the mother of the harvest, life's blessings and domestic abundance. From time immemorial, Friday was considered the day of Mokoshi, and according to legend, on this day, in order not to anger the goddess, it was impossible to start new things.
As we see, the Slavic gods are unique and original, and each has its own special status and purpose. Under the influence of other cultures, the religious ideas of the Slavs changed, new deities and new mythical subjects appeared. But this was not blind borrowing; new beliefs fit harmoniously into already established traditions and fell on the fertile soil of a peculiar and unique Slavic culture.
Much of the pagan faith was later entrenched in Christianity, and many Orthodox church holidays have deep pagan roots. Slavic culture is rich and diverse, and it is this that serves as the foundation for the development of society, the basis of life.