Slavic polytheism in the context of "Christianisation of the Slavs"

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⭐ Core Definition: Slavic polytheism

Slavic paganism, Slavic mythology, or Slavic religion refer to the religious beliefs, myths, and ritual practices of the Slavs before Christianisation, which occurred at various stages between the 8th and the 13th century.

The South Slavs, who likely settled in the Balkans during the 6th–7th centuries AD, bordering with the Byzantine Empire to the south, came under the sphere of influence of Eastern Christianity relatively early, beginning with the creation of writing systems for Slavic languages (first Glagolitic, and then Cyrillic script) in 855 by the brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius and the adoption of Christianity in Bulgaria in 864 and 863 in Great Moravia. The East Slavs followed with the official adoption in 988 by Vladimir the Great of Kievan Rus'.

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Slavic polytheism in the context of Holy grove

Sacred groves, sacred woods, or sacred forests are groves of trees that have special religious importance within a particular culture. Sacred groves feature in various cultures throughout the world. These are forest areas that are, for the most part, untouched by local people and often protected by local communities. They often play a critical role in protecting water sources and biodiversity, including essential resources for the groups that protect them.

They were important features of the mythological landscape and cult practice of Celtic, Estonian, Baltic, Germanic, ancient Greek, Near Eastern, Roman, and Slavic polytheism. They are also found in locations such as India (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu), Japan (sacred shrine forests), China (Fengshui woodland), West Africa and Ethiopia (church forests). Examples of sacred groves include the Greco-Roman temenos, various Germanic words for sacred groves, and the Celtic nemeton, which was largely but not exclusively associated with Druidic practice.

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LINKED FROM (PARENTS)
← Holy grove ← Sacred grove
LINKS TO (CHILDREN)
Svantevit → Cape Arkona → Altenkirchen, Rügen → Religion → Myth → Ritual → Slavs → Christianisation of the Slavs → South Slavs → Balkans → Byzantine Empire → Eastern Christianity → Glagolitic → Cyrillic script → Saints Cyril and Methodius → First Bulgarian Empire → Great Moravia → East Slavs → Vladimir the Great → Kievan Rus' →