The duality is what? Paganism and Christianity - a phenomenon of two-faith in Russia

Recently, there has been a clear trend towards a growing interest in religion, and more than once we have heard that paganism and Christianity still live on the territory of modern Russia . на Руси – феномен, который широко обсуждается до сих пор. Duality in Russia is a phenomenon that has been widely discussed so far. We will try to understand in detail in this issue.

The concept of

наличие в общепринятой вере признаков другого верования.Что касается нашей страны, то на настоящее время в России христианство мирно уживается с отголосками язычества. Duality is the presence in the generally accepted faith of the signs of another belief. As for our country, at the present time in Russia Christianity is peaceful coexisting with echoes of paganism. Orthodox people still celebrate Shrovetide, they gladly burn a scarecrow and eat pancakes. It is worth noting that this day of the beginning of spring is celebrated before the Great Lent. In this sense, it is customary to talk about syncretism, that is, about the undifferentiated and as if peaceful coexistence of belief. However, Orthodoxy and pagan cults are not so easy to get along together.

The negative connotation of the concept

еномен двоеверия берет свое начало в Средневековье, это слово отображено в текстах проповедей, написанных против православных, которые продолжали почитать языческих богов. The phenomenon of the two-faith originates in the Middle Ages, this word is reflected in the texts of sermons written against the Orthodox, who continued to honor the pagan gods.

It is interesting to note that the concept of "people's religiosity" at first glance seems identical to the definition of "duality", but with a deeper analysis it becomes clear that in the first case we are talking about a peaceful way of existence, and in the second case, the existence of confrontation. конфликта между старой и новой верой. Duality is the designation of the conflict between the old and the new faith.

About Paganism

Now let's talk about this term. Before the Baptism of Russia, paganism was that which replaced religion to the ancient Slavs. After the adoption of Christianity, this term was increasingly used to designate a non-Christian, "alien" (foreign, heretical) activity. The word "pagan" began to be considered a curse.

According to Yu. Lotman, paganism (ancient Russian culture), nevertheless, can not be considered as something undeveloped in comparison with the Christian religion, since it also satisfied the needs of believing, and in the last stages of its existence it essentially approached monotheism.

Baptism of Russia. Double faith. Peaceful coexistence of beliefs

As mentioned earlier, Slavic paganism before the adoption of Christianity was a certain belief, but zealous defenders and opponents of a new faith in Russia was not. People, accepting baptism, did not understand that the adoption of Orthodoxy should mean the rejection of pagan rituals and beliefs.

Ancient Rusich did not conduct an active struggle against Christianity, just in everyday life people continued to adhere to the earlier rites, not forgetting the new religion.

Christianity was supplemented by vivid images, characteristic of earlier beliefs. A person could be an exemplary Christian and at the same time remain a pagan. For example, on Easter day people could loudly shout to the masters of the forest about Christ's resurrection. Goblets and eggs were also brought in by the house and wood.

Open struggle

, однако, не всегда носило характер тихого сосуществования. The dual faith in Russia , however, did not always bear the character of quiet coexistence. Sometimes people fought "for the return of idols."

In fact, this was expressed in the magicians' adjustment of the people against the new faith and power. Open clashes for all time was witnessed only three. It is known that the representatives of the prince's power used force only in cases when the defenders of paganism began to intimidate the people and sow discord.

On the Tolerance of Christianity in Russia

The positive aspect of the new religion was a high tolerance for the established traditions. The princely authority acted wisely, adapting people to a new faith in a soft way. It is known that in the West the authorities tried to completely get rid of established customs, which provoked long-term wars.

The Institute of the Orthodox Church in Russia invested in pagan beliefs the idea of Christian content. The most famous echoes of paganism are, undoubtedly, such holidays as Christmas carols and Pancake week.

Opinions of researchers

не мог оставить равнодушной общественность и выдающиеся умы разных поколений. The phenomenon of two-faith in Russia could not leave indifferent the public and the outstanding minds of different generations.

In particular, N. M. Galkovskii, a Russian philologist, pointed out that the people accepted Orthodox Christianity, but did not know this dogma deeply, and, although not intentionally, did not give up pagan beliefs.

The public figure D. Obolensky also noted that between Christianity and popular belief there was no animosity and singled out 4 levels of interaction between them that reflected a different degree of interrelation between Christian ideas and pagan beliefs.

The learned Marxists in the Soviet Union protested ignorance of the common people and argued that most of them deliberately opposed the Christian faith.

Soviet archaeologist BA Rybakov openly spoke of hostility between Orthodoxy and popular beliefs.

At the time of glasnost, certain Soviet scientists, such as T.P. Pavlova and Yu.V. Kryanev, spoke about the absence of open hostility, but developed the idea that Christian asceticism was not a near-opportunistic attitude of pagan culture.

Ideas B. Uspensky and Yu. Lotman reflected the concept of duality of Russian culture.

Feminists completely refuted the positive side of the Christian doctrine and defined it as a "male" ideology directed against the Old Russian "female" belief system. According to M. Matosyan, the church failed to completely eradicate pagan culture due to the fact that women were able to modify and balance Christianity with pagan rituals.

Well-known figure Iv. Levin points out that most of the researchers tried to distinguish the Orthodox from the ancient beliefs, not suggesting even the slightest coincidence between them. In general, the author notes that the concept of the existence of a dual belief must be devoid of pejorative meaning.

Baptism of Russia. Political significance

A significant religious and political event was the adoption of Christianity. возникло в результате наложения идей православия на языческие традиции. The duality emerged as a result of the imposition of Orthodoxy's ideas on pagan traditions. This phenomenon is easy enough to understand, because the adoption of faith is a complex process, for the implementation of which centuries must have passed. People could not abandon the Slavic views, because it was a centuries-old culture.

Let us turn to the personality of the person who initiated the rite of baptism. Prince Vladimir was far from inclined to holiness. It is known that he killed his brother Yaropolk, publicly raped the captured princess, and also accepted the ritual of sacrifice of people.

In this connection, it is not unreasonable to believe that the adoption of Christianity was an indispensable political step that enabled Vladimir to strengthen the status of the prince and make trade relations with Byzantium more productive.

Why the choice fell on Christianity

возникла после принятия христианства, но мог ли князь Владимир обратить Русь в другую веру? So, the problem of the dual belief arose after the adoption of Christianity, but could Prince Vladimir turn Russia into another faith? We will try to understand.

It is known that the adoption of Islam for ancient Russia was impossible. In this religion there is a ban on the use of intoxicating beverages. This the prince could not afford, since a very important ritual was communication with the squad. A joint meal presupposed, undoubtedly, the use of alcohol. Refusal of such a libation could lead to disastrous consequences: the prince could lose support of the squad, which was impossible to admit.

With the Catholics, Vladimir refused to negotiate.

The prince refused the Jews, pointing out that they were scattered all over the land and he did not want such a fate for Rusich.

So, the prince had reasons to perform the ritual of baptism, which gave birth to the duality. , скорее всего, было мероприятие, носившее политический характер. This , most likely, was an event of a political nature.

The Baptism of Kiev and Novgorod

According to the historical data that have reached us, the baptism of Rus was begun in Kiev.

According to the evidence described by N. S. Gordienko, it can be concluded that Christianity was imposed by Prince Vladimir in an orderly manner, in addition, he was approached by persons close to him. Consequently, a significant part of ordinary people probably could see in this ritual apostasy from the Old Russian faith, which gave birth to the dual faith. проявление народного сопротивления ясно описано в книге Кира Булычева «Тайны Руси», где говорится о том, что новгородцы вели отчаянное сражение за верования славян, но после сопротивления город подчинился. This manifestation of popular resistance is clearly described in the book by Kir Bulychev "The Mysteries of Rus," where it is said that the Novgorodians fought desperately for the beliefs of the Slavs, but after resistance the city complied. It turns out that people did not feel the spiritual need to accept a new faith, therefore, they could negatively relate to Christian rites.

If we talk about how Christianity was accepted in Kiev, everything here was quite different than in other cities. As L. N. Gumilev points out in his work "Ancient Russia and the Great Steppe," everyone who came to Kiev and wanted to live there, was to adopt Orthodoxy.

Interpretation of the Christian religion in Russia

So, after the adoption of the faith, as it turned out, Christian traditions and pagan rites closely penetrated each other. 13-14 века. It is believed that the time of the double faith is 13-14 centuries.

Nevertheless, in Stoglav (1551) it was noted that even priests used pagan rites, for example, when they put the salt under the throne for some time, and then handed it over to people for healing ills.

In addition, there are examples when a monk, who had great wealth, spent all his resources not on improving people's lives, but on church needs. After he lost all material wealth and became a beggar, people turned away from him, and he himself stopped worrying about the life of the saint. Consequently, he spent all his means not to save the soul, but from the desire to receive rewards.

As noted in his studies Froyanov I. Ya, the Old Russian Orthodox Church was more likely a leading link. The institute of the church was preoccupied with state functions and involved in public life, which prevented clergy from spreading Christianity among ordinary people, so do not be surprised at the strength of pagan beliefs in pre-Mongolian Rus.

Manifestations of a dual belief, in addition to Maslenitsa, today are a funeral in the cemetery, when people themselves eat and "treat" the deceased.

Another famous holiday is the Day of Ivan Kupala, coinciding with the birth of John the Baptist.

Very interesting manifestation of pagan and Christian beliefs is represented in the saints, where the name of the saint is added some name, for example, Vasily Kapelnik, Catherine Sannica.

Thus, it should be recognized that the dual faith in Russia, which was formed not without the participation of ancient Russian traditions, gave Orthodoxy on our Earth original features, not devoid of its charm.