Unlike many regions, Baltic Paganism has held on longer than many other pagan relgions. The survial of Baltic Paganism through the most trying parts of Baltic history. The early christian crusades, the conversion of Baltic kings, and more recently, the soviet occupation of the Baltic region of destroyed many other elementso fearly Baltic life, yeat all of them have failed to wipe out Baltic Paganism which it's modern form exsists under the name Romuva.
Romuva
Romuva
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| A Romuvan High Priest |
Romuva is religion that was officially organised in the early 1800's by bringing together all of those who maintained their tradtional practices of Baltic Paganism. Romuva is a polytheistic pagan faith which asserts the sanctity of nature as well as the practice of ancestor veneration. Followers of Romuva believe that the souls of those who die live in the afterlife and stay with their family and before that are reincarnated, this being a deviation from traditional Baltic paganism where souls simply went to the earth. Practices are based on Lithuanian pagan practices and pre-Christian folklore.The most accurate description of the Romuva faith is the given by High Romuva priest on the official Romuva website:
"Romuva is the Lithuanian Expression of Baltic Faith. The name is a tribute to the fallen Prussians, who were also Balts – but their language and culture was assimilated by the early 1700s. Romuva is the name of the most important sanctuary of the Prussians, which was destroyed by crusaders in the 13th century. The symbol of Romuva is a stylised sacred oak tree with three pairs of branches, topped by a sacred flame. Underneath, the word romove (a cognate of Romuva, meaning a group of people who would worship at the ancient Baltic sanctuary Romuva) is written in runic letters.
Turning to the basics of the faith, the richest sources we have are the Liaudes Dainos – ancient folksongs.
As you may recall, I have stated that Lithuania was the last Pagan Empire (at one point stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea, and encompassing much of what is present day Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and so forth). Much of the mythology, folk beliefs and practices have continued to this day. Lithuanians are an unusual amalgam of pagan beliefs and catholic faith. As an example, while visiting my mother’s family in Punsk Poland I had the good fortune to experience Zolines (Day of Žemyna) – which was led by the Parish Priest. The priest, along with the rest of the parish circled around the town, starting in the cemetery. The celebration continued next to a lake, where a huge town festival occurred – to celebrate the fertility of the land."
"Romuva is the Lithuanian Expression of Baltic Faith. The name is a tribute to the fallen Prussians, who were also Balts – but their language and culture was assimilated by the early 1700s. Romuva is the name of the most important sanctuary of the Prussians, which was destroyed by crusaders in the 13th century. The symbol of Romuva is a stylised sacred oak tree with three pairs of branches, topped by a sacred flame. Underneath, the word romove (a cognate of Romuva, meaning a group of people who would worship at the ancient Baltic sanctuary Romuva) is written in runic letters.
Turning to the basics of the faith, the richest sources we have are the Liaudes Dainos – ancient folksongs.
As you may recall, I have stated that Lithuania was the last Pagan Empire (at one point stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea, and encompassing much of what is present day Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and so forth). Much of the mythology, folk beliefs and practices have continued to this day. Lithuanians are an unusual amalgam of pagan beliefs and catholic faith. As an example, while visiting my mother’s family in Punsk Poland I had the good fortune to experience Zolines (Day of Žemyna) – which was led by the Parish Priest. The priest, along with the rest of the parish circled around the town, starting in the cemetery. The celebration continued next to a lake, where a huge town festival occurred – to celebrate the fertility of the land."
This quote accurately explains for our purposes the very complex combination of Baltic Paganism and Christianity in the modern world. A Catholic priest, taking part in a traditional Baltic practice. Romuva is no way the faith of the traditional Baltic people, but as with modern Christianity and any religion that has persisted any length of time, an evolution on a basic set of beliefs and ideas. Romuva has also served in cultural way a preservation the past of the Baltic people. Its name was chosen specifically after the Prussian people in attempt to honor a preserve a glimpse of their culture as their language and traditions are now long gone.
Modern Cultural and Historical Implications of Romuva
Modern Cultural and Historical Implications of Romuva
Romuva has possibly been one of the most key elements in preserving Baltic Mythology and Keeping Baltic culture alive in the more modern era. The Romuvans has cataloged thousands of Dainas, and translated thousands of texts from Old Prussian in an attempt to save the remnants of the long lost culture. The festivals celebrated in Romuva, especially those to honor the changes of the season have become staples within even Cristian Baltic culture and its coalitions with other religious groups has made it accessible in the Baltic World. With in the large Baltic heritage regions of the united states, such as Chicago, Romuva has provided a gateway into the past of a land many generations separated from those alive. Romuva continues to be a key gateway into the past of Baltic Paganism and creates a bridge into a part of a culture lost in many other regions of the world.
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