The temple is a temple? History and modernity of pre-Christian religious buildings

Sources on which it is possible to judge how exactly pagan religious rituals were held in the territory of Russia before the adoption of Christianity did not survive very much. In particular, scientists know little about the arrangement of ancient pagan religious buildings. The heterogeneity of the Old Slavic beliefs, the mixing of cultural elements of different tribes that existed on a particular territory in different periods of time, make research very difficult. However, recently, due to the growing interest in the pre-Christian history of our country, scientists have managed to get quite a lot of new information on this issue.

The open air temple

First, let's look at what is a pagan temple? This is one of the varieties of the pre-Christian cult structure, the main purpose of which was the direct communication of man with the supreme gods. Actually, the construction of the temple is difficult to name, since it represented an oval or round platform in the open air, often fenced with a moat. At the same time in the center was located the idol of that deity, in honor of which it was equipped.

Very often the pagan temple of this type was located far from settlements and villages. Researchers often find similar cult sites on the tops of mountains, among forests, marshes, etc. The diameter of the circle could be several tens of meters. In the ditches, sacrificial fires were lit, and at their edges were placed various kinds of sacred objects (stones, pillars). If the temple was dedicated to several gods, their idols could be placed along the circumference. Some objects of this kind are called by scientists small fortifications, since they are surrounded by low embankments.

The temple in the temple

The Slavs also conducted their rituals in real temples (from the word "mansion"). In each such structure there was a temple. This name bore part of the temple, located behind the altar. Idols were usually installed here. In some cases, the temple itself is called the temple. Most often, these buildings had a round shape. However, archaeologists have discovered and square structures.

Archaeological finds on the territory of ancient Russia

As already mentioned, material evidence and written sources, which allow one to judge how Slavic cult constructions dedicated to certain gods looked like, were kept very little. The most famous historical monuments are the Kiev and Persian Slavic temples. The last was dedicated to the Slavic god of war Perun. Created it on the orders of Prince Vladimir during the pagan reform in 980. Archaeologists partially managed to restore its original appearance. The object was an almost perfectly round platform with a diameter of 21 meters. Surrounded by it was a moat of a meter deep.

As for such a structure as the ancient temple in Kiev, here, almost no archaeological finds have been made. And this is not surprising. After all, the territory on which it is located has been actively used for many centuries. And it is unlikely that too many objects belonging to the old cult would have survived in the capital of the Christian state.

Slavic gods

So, we found out that the temple is, in fact, a pagan temple, located in the open air or representing a cult building. As for the actual subject of worship of those who visited these sacred places in antiquity - the Slavic gods, then little is known about them. During the reform conducted by Prince Vladimir, Dazhdbog, Khors, Stribog, Makosh and Semargl, led by Perun, were included in the pantheon of the main deities. Their idols stood next to the prince's mansions on the Kiev mountain. Eastern Slavs especially revered and another god - Veles. In the "Tale of Bygone Years", besides these deities, others are mentioned: Lada, Kupala, Kolyada, Povzdiz.

Slavic idols

Slavic idols were anthropomorphic (humanoid) wooden figures of about 2-2.5 m in height. At the base, such a pole could be either circular or quadrangular. In his right hand, God could hold a sword, a ring or a horn. Sometimes the hands of the deity crossed on the chest. The right one was usually located above the left. Some chronicles mention the existence of idols made of other materials - copper, marble, gold or silver. Archaeologists and stone sculptures were found.

Natural sanctuaries

The system of pagan rites is based primarily on the selection of an effective language of communication with the forces of nature. In any phenomenon that occurred at this or that time of the year, the pagans saw the sacred will of the higher powers. Therefore, the Slavs very well developed a system of veneration of various sacred places - groves, trees, stones, springs, lakes, marshes, etc.

Thus, the temple is a place where rituals dedicated to pagan gods were practiced. These ancient structures, which have hardly survived to this day, have become prototypes of modern churches. In particular, some researchers put forward the assumption that the multi-headed Orthodox churches, as well as an architectural element like the octagon, have ancient pagan roots.