RUSSIAN 50 Chapter Notes - Chapter n/a: Animism, Water Spirit, Beekeeping
Document Summary
Week 2 || monday, jan 14 || ivanits, pp. Prince vladimir embraced eastern christianity and became russia"s saint-baptizer. During kievan period, christianity was a religion of upper classes but in 13-14th centuries christianity became a religion of all classes. For the most part, the peasant accepted the new religion without active resistance; yet at the same time, the masses clung to their ancient ways, continuing to offer sacrifice and prayer to their pagan deities. People went to church and did prayer services but also still clung to their pagan beliefs. Fundamental dualism in folk religion: crucial opposition bw masculine and feminine as represented by christ and the mother of god. The christ of spiritual songs is usually an awesome figure, separate from peasant daily concerns. Christ serves as a judge by rewarding and punishing people bc of their deeds. Spiritual song singers had little formal religious training.
