Historical science builds a picture of the past, using the material remains of ancient cultures, which do not always provide a complete picture for reliable conclusions and conclusions. Because of this, the existing historical picture of the world is full of myths that are presented as actual facts. An example is the myth of the Slavs - pagans.

Little is known about paganism. Once upon a time, the territory of Eurasia was inhabited Slavic tribes who did not have their own written language and culture. They worshiped natural forces, depicting them in the form of idols. And although new facts have now emerged confirming the presence of high culture among the Slavs, the myth of the savagery of pagan idolaters still dominates historical science.

Meanwhile, the ancestors left a universal “key” for opening history: “In the beginning was the Word...”. This phrase can be interpreted in any way, but not in literally: the origins of the past must be sought in the Word.

Let us apply this “key” to the word “pagan.” According to the rules of the Russian language, the root here is the word “language”. Language is a means of communication between people. The development of language is the appearance of writing, the symbolic (sign) design of oral speech. It turns out that “pagans” are those who know the language and have a written language. This conclusion has nothing to do with the existing historical myth about the pagan Slavs.

Word – Glory (transition of letters a-o)

Slavs were those who glorified the Word and knew how to edit it, that is, apply the rules of the Cyrillic alphabet to the word.

In this sense, the appearance of the word “Orthodoxy” is interesting. Initially, “Orthodox” were people who knew how to “rule” the Word. And the meaning in which this word is used today appeared later.

It was with the help of the Word that our ancestors created an illusory history, hiding the real one behind fairy tales and myths, including myths for adults (they did this for very compelling and objective reasons). And without knowledge of the Cyrillic alphabet and its rules, people cannot understand the authenticity of certain historical events.
Who were these people glorifying and ruling the Word?

Vedic Pasik culture - the basis of world cultures was created by the Pasik people:

People of Apiary - people of honey - demos honey - dem wasps (s) honey (wasps of honey = bees)

Dem os med - people OS med - people He Word honey (in Cyrillic O=On, S=Word) - people of the honey word.

"Dem" is back side the words “honey”: dem/med, or otherwise, this is a manifestation of the Cyrillic rule about the reality and navi of words or its direct and reverse reading.

Only together these two parts of the word give the complete image of the word: demmed.

“Demmed” or Demid(ovs) is an image of the people of Paseka, who created the culture:

Culture – cult u ra – ura k ult – uraul(ya)t – ura u lt – uralt - Ural t - Ural firmly (T=Hard) – Ural door then... (transition of letters d-t)

Ural, Demidovs... This is not a coincidence as a result of a play on words. And the “people of honey” are not only the Ural Demidov family, but, for example, the famous Medici family.
“The Demidovs” is an apiary image; the history of the Apiary people is as old as the history of mankind.

Reviews

In the Greek language, peoples professing polytheism were called “ethnos”. This word is familiar to us from the name of the science of “ethnography” (descriptions of peoples) or “ethnic” (folk). In Church Slavonic the word “ethnos” corresponded to the word “pagans”. Therefore, in the Russian language, those who profess pre-Christian or non-Christian religions began to be called “pagans.” Based on this, many church authorities called both monotheistic Muslims, polytheistic Cheremis (Mari), and followers of Hinduism pagans.

It is interesting that in Latin the word “paganism” corresponds to the word “paganismus”. In Latin, the word "paganus" means "rustic".
In Rus', pagans were also called “filthy”

From the life of Andrei Bogolyubsky

“When the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was completed, Andrei’s special happiness and pride was to show it to everyone passing by:

“Whether a guest came from Constantinople or from other countries, from the Russian land or a Latin, and every Christian or filthy, then Prince Andrei ordered: take him to church and to the camp, let the filthy one see true Christianity and be baptized, which is what happened. .. seeing the glory of God and the decoration of the church, they were baptized.” "

If peoples = languages, then in the myth of Tower of Babel The tautology turns out to be: peoples were divided by peoples or languages ​​by languages ​​:-) It is impossible to divide peoples by languages, the minimum way to communicate is always with gestures, and besides, there have always been translators and interpreters. Nations can be divided by faith, and today’s world is an example of this.

It's not all that simple. Read Lukashevich about what happened to languages, how, to whom and why a language was given to varying degrees different from the language of Adam. If you're interested, of course.

They laughed at him and called him crazy.
However, he found the keys that can open any language. The way in which languages ​​were mixed.

Here are the names. In general, the texts can be found on the Internet, but the old links do not work. http://goo.gl/7Arj9K

You know, I wouldn’t recommend Lukashevich’s works to anyone, with the exception of root scholars. And here’s why: despite the fact that P.A. Lukashevich wholeheartedly supported the purity of the language, the main idea was to fight against everything “non-Russian”. And this is a message of national hostility and it is wrong.

“Once upon a time, our language could have been a model of frequency...” P. Lukashevich.
Who is stopping you from looking for the origins of the purity of language? Only this search is not at all about fighting “enchantment.” And the majority of Lukashevich’s modern followers do just this, and as they please, in their own way. Looking for enemies is always easier than learning to think.

And this is generally strong: “The Lord humbled man’s pride by the confusion of tongues. This confusion is enchantment.” P. Lukashevich. So, it turns out, while speaking out against “enchantment,” he fought with God...

As for the mixing of languages, this is a natural process of communication between people; if they live in the same neighborhood, there is an interpenetration of cultures and languages. If they fight, then this is an almost impossible process, due to the hatred of the opponents for each other.
Remember the Great Patriotic War, the most popular phrases from German that have stuck are “Hitler kaput” and “Hende Hoch”, so what?

Why should the mixing of languages ​​have occurred more actively in ancient times, as a result of wars with the Slavs of various conquerors, as Lukashevich writes?

About 150 years have passed since P. Lukashevich wrote books, angrily accusing French, at that time it was relevant, but today? Today there is a dominance of Americanisms, and it will still pass 150 years so what? The Russian language was, is and will be, and it will always contain certain words from other languages.

Paganism in form - the deification of created objects, in essence - demon worship.

In a broad sense, paganism can be not only a type of religious worldview, but also a level moral life, quality of relationship to the spiritual world. A person can declare himself a Christian, but in practical life be an actual pagan, for example, by resorting to, believing in astrology. Paganism also becomes simply the recognition of the primary values ​​of the blessings of this world, earthly success, and sensual pleasures.
We can say that paganism is a state of soul deprived.

“The main difference between Christianity and paganism is that Christianity tells the world and man: “you are sick,” and paganism assures you, “you are healthy.” No difference? But what if I have appendicitis, and instead of a painful operation they tell me: “take sleeping pills or aspirin and everything will go away”? Christianity says: go through the pain of repentance and strive for God. Paganism assures us that we don’t need either one or the other, but only need to “expand our consciousness.” And if you need to meet with someone, then not with God, but simply with some of the space inhabitants...”
Deacon Andrey. From the book “Satanism for the Intelligentsia”

“Often, the ways of venerating the same god in different cities of the empire differed significantly from each other and went back to different myths and beliefs. For example, he noted that in different cities three different Zeuses, five Athens, six Apollos are worshiped, while Asclepias and Hermes are innumerable. At the same time, the pagans were not embarrassed by the fact that their myths often contradicted each other. Paganism was a religion of worship, play, theater and folk festivals par excellence. Paganism knew neither a sacred history, nor a holy book, nor a rule of faith.”
Pavel Gavrilyuk

Osipov A.I. From book " "

The term "paganism" comes from the Church Slavonic word "language", meaning, specifically, "people". In the Old Testament era, Jews called all other peoples pagans, putting into this word a negative assessment of these peoples themselves, and the entirety of their religious beliefs, customs, morals, culture, etc. From the Jews the term “paganism” passed into the Christian lexicon. However, it no longer includes anything related to nation or race. It denotes non-Christian religious teachings and worldviews that have a number of specific characteristics (see below).

There are many types of paganism (all polytheistic religions, magic, Satanism, shamanism, atheism, materialism, etc.). They are characterized by various features, the main of which are: naturalism, idolatry, magic, mysticism.

It is undeniable that in paganism there have always been people who “sought God to see if they would feel Him and find Him” (). And in this sense, it is true that in paganism “a positive religious process took place” [ Bulgakov S. Non-Evening Light. Sergiev Posad, 1917. P. 323). For, as St. wrote. , “everyone has the seeds of Truth” [Apology. 1.7 // Monuments of ancient Christian writing: In 7 vols. T. 4. M "1860-67. P. 25] and “Christ is the Word, in whom the entire human race is involved. Those who lived in accordance with the Word are Christians, even if they were considered atheists - such among the Hellenes are Socrates, Heraclitus and the like" [Apology. 1.46. Right there. P. 85]. However, it is no less obvious that this universal participation in the Word and the sincere search for truth by individual pagans do not determine the general course of development of paganism in humanity. Paganism is not a search for God, but a departure from Him, and progress in paganism was and remains more a progress of sin and apostasy than of a disinterested search for truth. The idea of ​​the “Kingdom of God on earth”, i.e. the idea of ​​the universal deification of humanity in earthly history is absent in the patristic works and fundamentally contradicts the Revelation of the New Testament (for example, the Apocalypse, etc.). Divine Revelation declares that “in last days difficult times will come, for people will be self-loving, money-loving, proud..." (), so that "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth" (). These can only be the consequences of the deep, all-encompassing development of paganism in humanity. The Lord reveals to the Church that the fulfillment of God’s creative plan for humanity is prepared not in history, but in metahistory, when there will be a “new heaven and new land» ().

About the pagan worldview

Despite the fact that the term “paganism” itself was created as a concept reflecting identity Jewish nation, opposing itself to all other peoples, it cannot be ignored in the history of religion. The term “paganism” is extremely important for understanding the essence of religious teachings that consistently reject the idea of ​​a Personal One God as the Creator of the world, and that is why it cannot be ignored. The peculiarity of this term is that it indicates anti-monotheistic views not directly, through the disclosure of the content of religious teachings, but indirectly, through the historical-genetic national moment. The concept of “paganism” reflects the long historical monopoly of the Jewish nation on the monotheistic idea, denotes the genetic ascent of theistic, creationist and providentialist views to the monotheistic Revelation given to the Jewish people. Revealing the genetic ascent of a worldview opposite to monotheism to the religious creativity of all other, “pagan” peoples, this concept gives Judeo-Christian monotheism the status of an exceptional, unique phenomenon in the history of religions, emphasizing the opposition of the Judeo-Christian monotheistic Revelation and all other religions.
The pagan worldview is the ultimate antithesis of monotheism, since it affirms the divine, absolute nature of impersonal natural being, declares its originlessness, infinity, uncreatability and indestructibility. It attributes the attributes of God to impersonal nature, and thereby reduces man to the level of a natural phenomenon. In the context of paganism, man is no longer the Image of God, not the crown of creation, called to union with his Uncreated Creator. In paganism, the human personality is only a secondary and derivative phenomenon of nature, generated by an impersonal natural substance. In paganism, a person turns into a hostage of spontaneous natural processes, in the manifestation of unintentional, unconscious natural self-motion. Such an interpretation assumes the complete depersonalization of a person, because here he acquires the properties of a natural phenomenon, equal in its properties with other natural phenomena, having lost freedom, incapable of independent activity, decomposed into impersonal natural components, capable of under the influence of spontaneous natural changes take other natural forms.
The pagan worldview denies the existence of a supernatural personal Absolute. That is why, in its essential ideological positions, paganism remains a legacy and continuation of the spiritual degradation of man. In paganism, a person does not seek and realize the ideal of the Kingdom of God, which invariably harmonizes the human personality and interpersonal human relationships, but puts into practice completely opposite ideas that contribute to absurd immoral self-affirmation. Such self-affirmation in paganism is virtually inevitable, since man is left alone with the impersonal natural world, and the latter does not contain any ethical imperatives, significantly lower than the godlike human being. In the process of such self-affirmation, a person deliberately avoids the transcendentally imposed moral discipline, shuns the absolute moral control imposed from the outside (for impersonal nature does not possess such control and discipline), and strives to realize only his own limited and transitory goals, which are in decisive contradiction with the similar goals of other people. Hence the pagan brings continuous conflicts, chaos and disharmony into his own existence and interpersonal relationships. That is why pagan religious consciousness reflects the destructive process of decomposition of human morality.
The moral development of man in paganism has always found a serious obstacle from polytheistic cults - the veneration of anthropomorphic elemental natural forces, the ethical requirements of which were as relative as they themselves. Polytheistic cults did not contribute spiritual growth. Deification of the transient natural phenomena could only relativize human morality, which always needs an absolute, supernatural ethical Ideal - a Personal God, external to temporary human existence. The veneration of polytheistic deities did not provide such an Ideal, but offered only surrogates in the form of creatures whose existence was endowed with those spatio-temporal characteristics that humans possess, creatures that could not give an absolute moral law precisely because of their limited, finite nature. Thus, the spatio-temporal localization of polytheistic deities, suggesting their autochthonous, local character, excluded the idea of ​​human unity, stimulating and directly sanctifying the constant strife between pagan tribes, when the extermination of members of another ethnic community was equated to meeting the needs of the local deity. Extrapolation to polytheistic deities of consummative features human body brought to life human sacrifices that satisfied the nutritional needs of anthropomorphic gods. The deification of the productive forces of nature justified depraved cults and temple prostitution, mystery orgies and frantic zeal, turning a person into a fanatic, reducing his behavior to the level of unconscious, impulsive instincts of an animal. Thus, pagan polytheistic practice, requiring the deification of relative natural phenomena, contributed to the moral decay of man.

prot. , " ":
Historians sometimes claim that, while fighting paganism, Christianity itself adopted many “pagan” elements and ceased to be evangelical worship of God “in spirit and truth.” Temple piety, the development and complexity of the cult, the veneration of saints and their relics, which blossomed so quickly in the fourth century, the ever-increasing interest in the “material” in religion: in holy places, objects, relics - all this directly traces back to pagan influence in the Church, and this is seen as a compromise with the world for the sake of a “mass” victory. But it is not at all required of a Christian historian that, in the name of defending Christianity, he simply rejects this accusation - that is, denies any “analogies” between Christianity and pagan “forms” of religion. On the contrary, he can safely accept it, because he does not see any “guilt” in these analogies. Christianity has adopted and made many “forms” of pagan religion its own, not only because these are eternal forms of religion in general, but also because the whole idea of ​​Christianity is not to replace all “forms” in this world with new ones, but to fill new and true content. Baptism with water, a religious meal, anointing with oil - she did not invent or create all these fundamental religious acts; they all already existed in the religious practice of mankind. And the Church never denied this connection with “natural” religion, only from the very first centuries gave it a meaning opposite to that which modern historians of religions see in it. For these latter, everything is explained by “borrowings” and “influences.” The Church, with its lips, has always asserted that the human soul is “by nature Christian,” and therefore even “natural” religion, even paganism itself, is only a perversion of something true and true by nature. good. Taking any “form”, the Church - in her consciousness - returned to God what rightfully belongs to Him, always and in everything restoring the “fallen image”.

We have a common word that unites us, which came from time immemorial. We are pagans. There is no other word like it. Another name, for example, "Natural Faith" only clarifies this ancient word. Names like “Vedic religion” or “pre-Christian faith” are invented today and do not have the proper power. Directly carriers Vedic religion never called themselves that, and no one called them that in their time historical life. By the way, the first Christians also did not call themselves “Christians” - this is what the pagans of ancient times called them - after the name of the Messiah revered by them (the “Christ-worshipers”).

The creators of new self-names do not want to soil themselves with the dirt that the world's mono-religions have inflicted on paganism. They are cunning or sincerely do not realize that if they “don’t get dirty”, then this means “don’t pick them up.” And if you “don’t take it into your hands,” then all these new “Vedic Orthodox believers” will be filled with content that is not related to our historical paganism. It will simply be Russian-Slavic rehashes of Indian religions, it will be a profanation of our national paganism, a remake, sewn from scraps of foreign traditions.

Among a certain part of modern pagans, there is an opinion that their pagan ancestors called themselves Orthodox because, they say, they “glorified the rulers.” It is possible that somewhere there were “Orthodox” pagans, but, in fairness, it should be noted that not a single historical evidence of such a self-name of the ancient pagan Slavs has been preserved.

Let us examine the essence of the word “rule” in order to understand whether pagans should be called “Orthodox”? Rule is included in such modern words as “truth”, “right” (in the sense of fair), “to manage”, “to rule” (a country or a boat), “ruler”. So, the word “rule” refers mainly not to driving a boat (for example, along the river of life), but to the ideological justification of rule, to the justification of the power of the prince. To his “just court”, which should always be in accordance with the will of the gods.

But some were satisfied with the prince’s power and his truth, while others were not. A thousand years ago, in the very depths of the forests, the freedom-loving tribes of the Drevlyans, Vyatichi and Radimichi lived, they did not allow anyone to come to them, so that their land would not be known and the princes from Kiev or Novgorod would not attack them with armies. With the expansion of the area of ​​princely power, the Vyatichi went to the northeast, and the independent land of the Drevlyans and Radimichi narrowed to Polesie. On this land, free people were called by a word opposite to “princely truth.” They were called “Krivichi” (by the way, Lithuanians to this day often call Russians “Krivi”). The Krivichi were a union of tribes, they were brothers by blood, and in their religious veneration they gave a special place to female deities and beregins.

Let us remember that the title of the Baltic high priest Krive-Kriveite is translated as Teacher of Teachers, and not at all as teacher of untruth. The self-name “Krivichi” and the title of the High Priest of the Balts become close if we pay attention to the fact that a significant part of the population of the Krivichi land was of Baltic origin, and that a significant part of the territory of the present Baltic states was inhabited by Slavic tribes. Over time, many Balts became Russified and began to consider themselves Slavs, and many geographical names of rivers and villages remained of Baltic origin. The same should have taken place for sacred concepts, including such as “curve”. This approach naturally forces one to change the flat idea of ​​the origin of the words truth and falsehood.

As is known, the Krivichi resisted the introduction of Christianity for a long time and stubbornly, holding on to the “old faith” and “old gods”. Perhaps this is also why the word “curve” has acquired a negative connotation. There were, of course, those Slavic tribes that did not actively oppose themselves to anyone - neither to the will of the prince, nor to his priests, who carried out their master’s task of mass baptism of the population. These tribes lived peacefully and quietly, but even they did not realize that they had to somehow identify themselves by faith. But their tongue worked for them. In Old Russian, “pagans” means “peoples”. Therefore, by the nature of language, pagan faith is the faith of the common people, who are naturally close to the earth.

As soon as the Christian priests realized that their task included not only the ideological suppression of the Krivichi (Krivi) who stubbornly clung to their faith, but also the general subordination of the “black people” (village residents) to the prince, then among the ministers of the new Christian cult the already existing in the language there is a general word: “paganism”. In general and initially, they did not put a negative meaning into it, as they did with the word “crookedness”, putting into it the meaning of falsehood - deception. By “paganism” they understood beliefs, as well as spiritual and legal institutions, that were outside the princely truth, beyond the limits of his power. Therefore, the word "paganism" gradually acquired the spirit of something suspicious, but has not yet received an accurate assessment. Christianity, which later strengthened, connected him directly with “demons and demons.”

The word “paganism” itself was not created or invented by priests - neither pagan nor Christian. It was already contained in the Slavic language before them as a generalizing concept (the word “paganism” comes from the root “language”, which in the Old Slavonic language means “people, tribe”). It should have been heard when the princes approved any new official deity and introduced his cult to the people. This was how it should have been when Vladimir approved Perun in Kyiv and Novgorod. This happened later, with the introduction of Christianity. The fact that Christianity is not just a cult of a new god, but carries a qualitatively different spiritual content, was still little understood by the Russian people in the time of Vladimir. The priests of the official cult called “pagans” the tribes that did not follow the princely cult with its new crucified god (Christianity), but believed in their own way, in the “old gods.” They were considered “black people” if they were submissive to the prince, and they also turned out to be “Krivichi” if they lived on the Lithuanian side and did not agree with the prince’s policies.

As already noted, the word “pagans” itself means, firstly, “peoples.” Secondly, it also meant a speaker, a person conveying a message. Thus, in Afanasyev’s fairy tale “Ivan the Fool,” published in 1855, we find: “Ilya Muromets killed everyone, leaving only the pagans for the king.” It follows that in addition to the concept of “people”, the word “pagan” also contains another concept - “messenger”, or the one who speaks (“speaker”, i.e. “knowing the word”). If we combine both of these ancient concepts, we can easily see that in a religious sense, a pagan is one who carries the message, knowledge, word about the religion and faith of his people. And if today we say that we are pagans, it means that we are messengers, we carry the message: “it’s time for our people to remember their primordial beginnings.”

In Latin countries, the word “paganism” was synonymous with paganism, derived from the word “paganus” - “farmer” (broader - “rural, country dweller”, “hillbilly”). For many modern Slavic pagans, being called a pagan or a vile does not seem very decent - here the pressure is on the language forms, cliches and templates developed over a thousand years, imposed by those who attacked and destroyed the ancient Natural faith. But Western European pagans freely call themselves “paganists.” For example, when the Lithuanian pagans learned that Russians were ashamed of their self-name (“pagans”), they were surprised: how can Russian pagans deny themselves? Indeed, to refuse such a high title as “pagans” is to humiliate yourself before the authorities and priests; before those who themselves (once upon a time) reinterpreted this word “in a crooked way” - just like many other words related to folk/natural faith. The same is true with other words, for example with the word “blaspheme.” In paganism, this means “to perform pagan hymns, songs or stories about the deeds of the gods and about the afterlife". In modern language, this means saying something that desecrates some kind of holiness. This is also the result of thousands of years of work of Christianity on our language.

The historical truth will be restored. We must return such necessary words as “paganism” or “blasphemous” to our everyday life, and not be ashamed of them just because mountains of lies were piled on them. After all, we are not afraid of this lie. Therefore, let's be honest and consistent.

The problem of somehow naming their faith, and even more so naming the type of their faith, could arise among the Slavs only with the beginning of the expansion of monotheistic religions. Before this, there was no need to assign a name to one’s faith, the faith of one’s ancestors - it was called that way: “faith”, “our faith”, “the faith of our ancestors” or “Slavic, Russian faith”. Actually, the faith was - in essence - one common to many peoples; the concept of faith was broader than the concept of tribe. And the Slavs, and the Germans, and the Scandinavians - all were pagans and, in general outline, adhered to the same pantheon and belief system. Moreover, all sorts of more distant neighbors were all pagans.

The difference was only in the specific names of the same gods, or in which of them occupies the “main” place in the composition of a particular pantheon (and, consequently, the main, most noticeable from the outside, place in the cult), or in the composition itself pantheon. Hence the variant names for specific varieties of beliefs - either by the name of the tribe (the faith of the ancestors, the faith of the Slavs, the Busurman faith), or by the name of the “main” deity (fire worshipers, Jesus). There were simply no other names. There were not only “atheistic cults” around (such as “scientific atheism”), but also “author” religions (such as Mohammedanism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism), which claimed not just one individual tribe, but an alternative to the entire generally accepted system of beliefs (For example, The Khazars' neighbors called Judaism nothing more than the "Khazar faith").

Thus, the Slavs (like all neighboring tribes and peoples) did not and could not have had any special name for the faith of their ancestors, much less for the type of faith itself. Some conditionally generalizing names (for clarification in conversations with strangers) could be, but most often, of course, the name was used based on belonging to the tribe (depending on the context - more general or more specific) - Slavic faith, faith of the Polyans, faith of the Normans, etc. .

The need to determine the type of one’s faith in contrast with a faith of a fundamentally different type arose only in theological disputes during the period of dual faith - when it was necessary to contrast the collective faith of all peoples with monotheistic religions. This is how the concepts of “paganism” and “paganism” arose. According to the most linguistically substantiated versions, both of these words come (essentially) from the concept of “people” (respectively, in Slavic “language” - people, and in Latin “pagan” - rural, village, soil - in meaning these are synonyms for the word " people").

These words mean “folk faith”, as a type of traditional beliefs of all peoples. Therefore, in this context, it is more correct to talk not about paganism in general, but more specifically about Slavic paganism. There is no way to determine which side of the theological debate put it forward - this term is equally acceptable to both sides. To consider it invented by Christians to humiliate pagans is as stupid as considering the word “monotheism” to be offensive to Christians. This is a completely neutral scientific term that very clearly and correctly draws the line between natural beliefs and artificial monotheistic faiths such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

All the emotions [of some pagans who do not want to call themselves “pagans” and their faith “paganism”] regarding the name of our faith are absolutely understandable, but naturally we also have to take into account the surrounding reality. If there is a war between the “Whites” and the “Reds”, between the “Sharp Points” and the “Blunt Points” (the analogy, of course, does not relate to the essence of the process), then to say something like “I wear a green jacket and, therefore, that says it all” - it means not saying anything definite. In fact, you still have to in a roundabout way explain that in fact you are “White”, “Red” or something else, but you don’t want to talk about it directly. This is exactly how any explanations for abstract self-definitions will be perceived by everyone.

Let us repeat once again - the emotions are understandable: the word “pagan” is not the most successful, but it is a very specific neutral scientific term. In any reference book, article, encyclopedia, everyday conversation, criminal case - we will still be called “pagans”. Until our complete victory and even further - already as a result of the tradition that has arisen. Remember - the name "Bolsheviks" remains with the communists to this day. What can you do if monotheists (and Christians in particular) have plowed through almost all the terms that related to the pagan religious sphere? But this does not mean that now you cannot use the words “treba”, “goblin”, “witch”, “nauznik”, “conspirator”, “high leader”, “sorcerer”, “blaspheme”, “knocking out”, etc. But, on the other hand, we must also take into account the reality of the consequences of [Christian] foreignness - calling our faith “Orthodoxy” (as some “Rule-glorifying” pagans do *) is also not very reasonable in this situation.

Finally, in order to finally resolve the question of the origin of the word “paganism,” let us turn to an academic scientific publication. So, "Old Slavonic Dictionary (based on manuscripts of the 10th-11th centuries): About 10,000 words; Moscow; Russian language; 1994; - 842 pp.". The article is in Old Church Slavonic and Ancient Greek, the following is written (4 recorded meanings):

"LANGUAGE" -
1. tongue (organ) ...
2. language (speech) ...
3. people, tribe... For example, “tongue will rise against tongue”; “let one person die for the people, and not the whole language perish”; "V'skuyu shatasha yazytsi"; “as if we put you in the heat of the moment”, etc. [it is characteristic that this word is used even in relation to Christians! ].
4. strangers, foreigners; pagans... For example: “the pagans will destroy all of them; the idols of the language (s) will be taken away with silver and gold”...

Here you can clearly see the original, the most ancient meaning the words "language" - "people" (owning specific language). Also here we can clearly see the beginning of the opposition between Christians and the meanings of the word in question: “folk, natural” & “Christian, divine”.

Thus, everyone can choose for themselves in what meaning to use the word “paganism” - either in the original 3rd meaning (that is, according to ancient meaning), or in the 4th later meaning (that is, modified under the influence of Christianity).

Also in explanatory dictionary V. Dahl, you can find the meaning of the word “language”: “a people, a land, with a population of the same tribe, with the same speech.” Thus, “paganism” for the Slavs is, first of all, a folk, primordial, Native Tradition. Accordingly, paganism is tribal beliefs, and in this meaning it has long been used by our ancestors. So, pagans are people belonging to one clan-tribe, who honor its customs, love and protect their land, preserve tribal myths and reproduce these relationships in new generations. At the same time, the earth, the tribe inhabiting it, other forms of life and gods form a single tribal whole, which is reflected in tribal myths and rituals, in the way of life and management.

There is no need to be embarrassed by the name “pagan”. It is not necessary, if only for the reason that all Christians shudder at this one word: they fear it like fire, like excommunication from the parish humanitarian feeding trough; For them, the word “pagan” is more terrible than “Satanist”. Have you ever seen the pitiful white, frightened face of a Christian who accidentally wandered into the forest among the pagans and found out where he ended up? The phrase: “I am a pagan” sounds proud and militant; it strikes the enemy like lightning; it contains the power of a thousand years of spiritual confrontation with [Christian] foreignness.

There is nothing derogatory in the word “paganism” for the pagans themselves.

The fact that such words as “paganism” = “paganism” are almost swear words for some pagans today speaks only of the results of Christian propaganda, and nothing more (“propaganda” in Latin is ideological “work” among the pagans). What can we say, many centuries have passed, the language has changed, many concepts have undergone changes, and today almost all words that in one way or another relate to paganism and the pagan worldview have been turned into curses (see examples above). To engage in word creation (and essentially verbiage) on this basis and invent some new words for everyone and everything is at least stupid and too much honor for one-gods (monotheists). It is much more reasonable to direct the same efforts to ensure that completely different words that really deserve it become abusive.

It is also important that by the very fact of calling ourselves “pagans,” we select the very Bugbear with which some try to belittle those they do not like. We are not afraid to call ourselves “pagans” and even “pagans” - there is a Slavic pagan community in Belarus, whose representatives do not hesitate to call themselves just like that - but after that, all sorts of detractors simply have nothing to hide.

Analogy: at one time in the States the word “cop” was a dirty word (just like in our country the word “cop”), but time has passed, and now every American police officer can proudly say “yes, I’m a cop.” This positive image, as well as the word it denotes, has been created for decades with the help of films and daily work law enforcement agencies themselves; the same process has begun here too - books are already being published with mention of the word “cop”, the television series “Cops” has been released, and in just a couple of decades no one will even remember that there was once a word for someone abusive or inelegant. This is approximately the same thing that can happen with the word “paganism” (as well as with any other word). Moreover, this has already happened in ancient times, when Christians took it into their arsenal and used it all as a “drive” - now all that remains is to return it to our arsenal.

And, what can we say, when the word “symposium”, commonly used even in high politics, comes from the Greek “bogey”; and the word "pluralism" among the ancient Greeks meant multiple copulations during an orgy. And the word “pagan” against this background looks much more decent: it’s just “soil-based, rural, rustic.” It’s just that in later times this word was used by Christians who contemptuously called adherents of the faith of their ancestors “hillbillies,” considering them unenlightened and dark, when they stubbornly refused to convert to the “true faith of Christ.” And such a word as “paganism” generally has the root “people” (“language”), that is, “pagans” are essentially “populists” - this translation is the most elegant, and therefore this translation option will be used from now on ( no matter what lovers of “originality” and other historical mothballs say, dreaming of “the harmony of a stagnant swamp” and not understanding that everything changes and must change - for Movement is Life).

In all official documents - charters, names of communities, etc. it is necessary to use the term “paganism” or the phrase “Slavic paganism”. Otherwise, we are closed to the creation of an all-Russian confession and the recognition of modern Slavic paganism as the historical successor to the pre-Christian beliefs of the Slavs. For any religious examination, appointed in such cases under the current legislation, recognizes our entire movement as just a collection of small, disparate sects belonging to various newly minted faiths that have no relation to the ancient Slavic faith (to Slavic paganism) and, therefore, fundamentally unable be considered to belong to traditional Russian confessions. Accordingly, the only acceptable name should be considered the official (registered with the authorities) name of the community as “pagan”. The sooner we can achieve universal acceptance of this term, which directly corresponds to the goals of our entire movement, the better.

In this regard, it should be especially noted that no one calls for calling themselves only “pagans” (or even, for example, “Pagans”). On the contrary, in parallel you can use any other identifiers, such as “Rodnovers”, “Rodolovy”, “Rodyan”, “Polytheists”, “Traditionalists”, “Pantheists”, etc. We are just talking about the fact that there is no need to be afraid and no need to be ashamed of other people’s (and indeed any) Labels and Bugs used by motley detractors - only then will they cease to be such. We have already selected them and, if necessary, we will select them again. You just need to not be afraid of anything and calmly do your job.

[ * calling paganism “Orthodoxy” (“Glorification of Rule”) is historically and linguistically illiterate. Nowhere and in any historical sources is it even hinted that the pagan Slavs, they say, “glorified the Rule” (moreover, why glorify it? Will it wither away without glorification, or what? Rule are the laws of the Universe, which work well and without human intervention). Being completely honest, we have to reckon with the facts. But the fact is that “Orthodoxy” is a literal translation from the Greek “orthodoxis”: from “orthos” - “correct” & “doxa” - “faith in”, “opinion about” (someone), “ good name", "glory", "(glorification)"; i.e., the word "Orthodoxy" has the meaning of "correctly glorifying" (the Judeo-Christian god, respectively). The given etymology of the word "Orthodoxy" is officially scientific and is shared by all modern by learned historians and linguists. Citizens who disagree with this may try to present evidence of their point of view in strict accordance with scientific methodology: 1) facts, 2) sources, 3) references, 4) reasoned justifications. Before all of the above is stated, any statement has no scientific value, but is only an opinion (which may well turn out to be erroneous; and that is why evidence and sufficient reasons are required).]

Throughout human history, people have worshiped gods and believed in higher powers. But if Islam, Christianity and Judaism are considered generally recognized religions, then certain beliefs are classified as mystical or philosophical worldviews, and sometimes give them a negative connotation.

In Christian theology, all non-traditional religions are usually called pagan. In ancient times, they tried to suppress and eradicate them, for which pagan temples were burned and idols were destroyed. However, paganism still exists today. What is this concept? Who are pagans and what do they believe?

What does the word "paganism" mean?

Term "paganism" is of Slavic origin. The concept is associated with the church word ıảzycs, which means "tribe, people" . Pagan religions most often include ethnic beliefs that in the old days were accepted in small settlements.

IN European countries Instead of the word “paganism” they use derivatives from the Latin pagus (district). This is due to the fact that in Ancient Rome Christianity began to spread from big cities, and in small ones for a long time their own were preserved.

What is paganism?

The concept of “paganism” has many definitions. Most often, it means any religions except the three world ones.


In Christianity, the term is used to contrast monotheism and refers to polytheistic beliefs, that is, worldviews based on the simultaneous belief in several gods.

Paganism is often called idolatry - belief in other creations other than one God. Another meaning of the term is heterodoxy, that is, a religion different from generally accepted religions.

In more in the narrow sense Paganism is understood as historically established ethnic beliefs, cultural traditions of certain nationalities. In any case, its main essence lies in unity with nature, communication with ancestors through magic symbols, idols, little gods.

Unlike world religions, paganism is considered more tolerant and balanced, there is no intolerance to dissent, there is no concept of “heresy” and clearly expressed prohibitions, and a person is recognized as perfect from birth and does not initially bear the mark of sin.

What are the pagan religions?

There are quite a lot of pagan religions. Each people in ancient times had their own beliefs and beliefs. Thus, in Rus' there was Slavic paganism, whose supporters spiritualized nature and believed in the existence of almighty gods - Perun, Dazhbog, Stribog and others.


IN Ancient Greece the cult of a number of higher powers was welcomed, divided into demiurges (progenitors) and gods of the first, second, third generations (Zeus, Helios, Uranus, Neptune, etc.). In Egypt the cult of animals was revered, and in Babylon the Sumerian teachings about the existence of three worlds were supported.

Who are the pagans?

Pagans are people who profess pagan religions. Their appearance is the result of the pre-Christian development of mankind. The human soul does not tolerate emptiness, therefore, before the emergence of religions about one God, people assimilated the ideas that the world around them offered them.

Despite the fact that pagans believe in many gods, in fact, in almost any pagan hierarchy there are supreme deities, that is, even in the minds of idolaters there are some guesses that the Creator is still one.

What is neopaganism?

IN Lately New practices and teachings of pagan beliefs began to appear in the world, which were called “neopaganism.” Most often, our contemporaries reconstruct ancient faiths, giving them a fresh meaning, but sometimes completely new fetishes appear in neopaganism or disparate faiths are combined.


In simple words, this term refers to artificial religions that are created to revive national spirituality from individual elements ancient ethnic beliefs.

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 parallel world with the usual. 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. After all, before today elements of pagan rituals were 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 “fortress 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 paying attention to the dates of 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.