Lietuvos Romuva
By Anne S.
Conversion
Lithuania converted to Christianity in 1387 - the last of the European countries to do so. Grand Duke Jogaila agreed to the conversion as a part of his marriage contract with Jadwiga, Queen of Poland, in an effort to end the horrendous wars of conversion. Prior to this, Lithuania had practiced religious tolerance, and this did not change although the state religion had. The old faith did not die out, possibly because of Jogaila's tacit support, but instead coexisted with Christianity. Among the lower social groups Christianity did not become the dominant religion until the Industrial Age, and Paganism never lost its hold on the people's hearts. Some regions of the country practice a combined Christian-Pagan belief, with the old hill shrines, sacred springs and other places of worship still revered today.
As such, Lithuania is a fascinating glimpse into Paganism - not the revived faith it often is elsewhere in the world, but as an unbroken community tradition. While the old Pagan tradition has been corrupted through its marriage with Christianity, there are still elements of the past glories to be found. Myths and legends remain to point the way home, and the number of Lithuanians seeking the path of Baltic tradition is growing.
Lietuvos Romuva
Lietuvos Romuva (Lithuanian Romuva - the modern inheritor of the traditions) is predominantly focused upon Nature worship, as evidenced by the hill-shrines and sacred trees. Interestingly, the Romuviai do not consider their path to be related to modern Neo-Paganism - they see Romuva as a continued tradition, as opposed to revived which is indeed what many Neo-Pagan faiths are. Unlike many Pagans whose revived religion resulted from the need to find their 'religious roots', the Romuviai know theirs and are more interested in the 'truth' of their knowledge and if what they practice is a true reflection of the divine.
This search for the truth is what Jonas Trinkunas, the ordained krivis (head priest) of Lietuvos Romuva (Lithuanian Romuva), works for. Instrumental in the continued growth of the old faiths, Trinkunas focuses upon the surviving "local mythology, folklore and ethic heritage" for inspiration. He is also strongly convinced that spirituality comes from knowing divinity, and that "It is more important to experience this for each human being individually, in nature, near an oak or linden tree, near a stone or fire," than through dogma-led organized religion. As an integral part of this concept, Romuva believes deeply in the idea that to each person his/her own path. All religions are founded in the one truth, and as such the followers of another faith should be given the freedom to practice their beliefs.
May God Dievas help! May Goddess Laima bless!
Deity, to the Romuviai, is a very personal matter. There are many gods, each with their own function. However, the concept of Dievanesiai - holding God within oneself - is central to the religion. One is then answerable to that god for everything one does, and encouraged by the immediate presence of god to behave in a more spiritual fashion. This is seen as a warm and close relationship - god as an intimate acquaintance.
Fire and the Ancestors
The Romuviai also honour fire, Ugnis, for its divine nature, its life-giving properties, and its symbol as to the unbroken line of family and ancestors. Fire plays a crucial role in every single Romuviai ritual.
This link to the past is important in understanding Romuva. A nature-faith it may be, but it is also very much a religion of ancestral worship to - although not as most such are know. The ancestors are seen as a continuing and communicating part of life. The focus upon the past as present within daily life flows over into all things and creates a rich, living heritage.
"Blessed is the man, who seeks the way to the eternal Romuva,
And desires, in the light of everlasting fire,
To live forever. Naught will stand against him.
May we see what is eternal and sacred.
Throughout the ages it will bless us all!"
~ Vydunas.
The Primary Gods of Lietuvos Romuva
- Dievas - the primary god. A god of daylight, Dievas is the god of ancestors
- Laima - goddess of happiness and fate. She is the Great Mother, guide and protector of the people
- Perkunas - the god of thunder and lightning is the son of Dievas, and interestingly the most prominant god
- Potrimps - the god of rivers and sources, as well as the bringer of fertility and harvest
- Patollo - the god of the Underworld, nightmares and horror
- Teliavelis - the archetypal hero demi-god
- Velnias - the god of the earth, music and wisdom. Connected to magic and spirituality, Velnias is a chthonic god
- Zemyna - an earth goddess who protects the peasants
|
Some of the Important Festivals of Lietuvos Romuva
- Velines - the Time of the Shades. Held at the end of October/start of November, Velines is a time to remember and venerate the dead
- Saulegriza - Winter Solstice. The solstice celebrations consist of a two day event:
- Kucios - an evening festival that concludes the time of Velines, offers thanks for the year's harvests and brings peace between those who have fought
- Kaledos is the following day. The sun is reborn and the world celebrates
- Ugavenes - the Mid- Winter Festivals. A selection of celebrations following the solstice
- Pusiauiemis - New Year's Day. Falls around the end of January. Following this are days of reverence and celebration as the household gods are awoken from their winter's sleep
- Ugnies dienos - Day of Fires. Held in early February, this festival is sacred to the Ugnies, the fires
|
Spring Festivals
- Lyge is the first spring festival. Its timing is based upon when the first thunder of spring is heard. It celebrates the returning sun, life and new growth. Water, sacred to Romuva, has been sanctified by the god Perkunas with the first thunderclaps of spring
- Verba, held at the Spring Equinox when the trees bear fresh new growth, is a time to bring home magical branches (verbos) that will infuse the home with life, growth and protection
- Velykos is held on the first full moon Sunday after the equinox. It is a time to remember the dead, visiting their graves
- Jore is held at the end of April and is the last spring festival. Summer is on its way, fully awakened. This is a time to celebrate the greenness of spring
- Vente Rasa - Summer Solstice. Held on the solstice. This is the Holy Day of Rasa, a fire festival celebrating life
|
Romuviai Festivals Featured in The Pagan Heart
For further information about the rituals, deities, beliefs and traditions of Romuviai please visit these sites:
Lietuvos Romuva
The Oaks
Articles on Baltic Faith
W.C.E.R. - Romuva
|