RUSSIAN 50 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Wowow, Lightning, Evil Eye
Document Summary
From 15th century on russian peasants thought themselves to be good christians. Peasants didn"t really mind about christianity so they just practiced paganism. Went to church, prayed, but still hung onto pagan beliefs unconsciously. Knew what a crucifix was but didn"t really know what it was for. Christ is an awesome figure - a heavenly god to the peasants. Christ is actually a little different in the legends among the peasants more approachable/milder = takes walks with disciples. Christ appeared in the story w/ the poor widow w/ the cow will rewarded in the next life that will last eternity. Treated mother mary with tenderness = spiritual hope, Connected with mother earth and mother of christ. Mary had a dream of her son being crucified. Peasants during 13-15 century had little religious training = knowledge based on icons, sermons, fetiveals, didn"t understand theoretical stuff. Blood, motherhood, and earth connection bw kinship and the earth.
