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Post by meltdown711 on Nov 5, 2007 11:39:51 GMT -5
From a scholar on Christianity in Eastern Europe and among Slavs, Matthew Spinka:
Their ancient gods were converted into Christian saints: Veles became St. Blasius and continued to guard the flock of the Christianized Slavs: perun became Elijah and continued to drive his thunderous car over the clouds and to wield thunderbolts of the sky;the household gods were retained as family saints, and the belief in fairies and dryads and other members of the delightful ilk persisted without any apology of camouflage. Most of the sacred days and and religious customs of the Pagan Slavs were likewise retained, having been but slightly changed or adapted. Thus for instance, the worship of ancestors is still observed in the so-called 'Slava' celebration, where the Serbian peseants bring food and drink to the graves of their dead.
If this is so, then do you think that it is moral that you could continue with a practice that has such a pagan, non-Christian, inheritance? Doesnt this represent an attempt by Slavs/Serbs to half-ass their conversion?
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Post by suart on Nov 5, 2007 15:09:25 GMT -5
The albanians do the same, probably we are the same race, since Djordje Kastreotic the ''albanian hero'' was a serb. ? Have you ever thought about the conversion of the albanians in every religion they seem to profit? Worse than the gypsies.
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Post by radovic on Nov 5, 2007 16:52:12 GMT -5
The albanians do the same, probably we are the same race, since Djordje Kastreotic the ''albanian hero'' was a serb. ? Have you ever thought about the conversion of the albanians in every religion they seem to profit? Worse than the gypsies. First of all. The bringing of foods and drinks to the graves of the dead is found throughout the world. The custom is found in China, Africa and other areas of the world and I believe in some catholic countries it is done on November 1st. Second. considering all christians nations (even non-christian nations) have customs that are reputedly of pagan origin by your logic all people have undergone "half-ass" conversions.
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Post by suart on Nov 5, 2007 18:40:20 GMT -5
by your logic all people have undergone "half-ass" conversions. ;D ;D No further comment .
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Post by meltdown711 on Nov 5, 2007 19:15:51 GMT -5
I wouldnt argue this, but it doesnt excuse it.
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Post by Beach Police on Nov 5, 2007 20:47:23 GMT -5
A Slava (Êðñíà Ñëàâà also Êðñíî Èìå it means "celebration") is the celebration of the family's patron saint. It is primarily known as a Serbian custom: when the disciples of Sts. Cyril and Methodius were converting ancient Serbia, they replaced the pagan custom of the household divinity with a family patron saint. However, this is not an exclusively Serbian custom, as it is also known among the Bulgars, the Albanian, and even in parts of Greece and Romania. A saint was determined by the day on which the household was baptized. Serbs do not celebrate a family Slava instead of an individual nameday (onomastik), but rather in addition to their namedays. The most common Slavas are St. John the Baptist, St. George, and St. Nicholas of Myra. Slava is a day not only of feasting, but also a day of spiritual revival through which the Serbian national soul is formed and crystallized. To these celebrations, customs, and traditions, our nation owes its existence, and, therefore, deserves to be appreciated and perpetuated by all grateful Serbian sons and daughters all over the world. The living example of the Patron Saint gives to the celebrant assurance, persistence, and the feeling of protection, support, and the encouragement to do good. For that reason, we hear among our people the ancient saying: "Êî Ñëàâó ñëàâè œåìó è ïîìàæå". Because Krsna Slava is regarded as the anniversary of the baptism of the family into Christianity, it is an annual reaffirmation of the family to its baptismal vows and the renewal of its ties to the Orthodox faith and church. The commemoration of Krsna Slava was to Serbian ancestors one of the most important expressions of their Orthodox faith. So they always celebrated their Krsna Slava, regardless of how dangerous the situation. In our long suffering history, the state and freedom ceased to exist, but in our homes, the candle of our Patron Saint never was extinguished. The Serbian Krsna Slava links, as a golden string, our past and our present, our ancestors and their descendants. Serbian people should never ignore their Krsna Slava because through it the Orthodox faith was preserved and they were held together through the centuries. Krsna Slava should be kept not only as a sacred custom, but also to attest to the sacred truth that "Where the Serb is, Slava is also" . The celebration of Krsna Slava requires the Icon of the family Patron Saint and several items that symbolize Christ and the believer's faith in his death and resurrection: a lighted candle, Slava’s (êîšèâî) wheat, Slava's bread (Ñëàâñêè êîëà÷), and red wine. The lighted candle reminds us that Christ is the Light of world. Without Him we would live in darkness. Christ's light should fill our hearts and minds always, and we should not hide the Light of Christ in our lives. Slava’s wheat represents the death and resurrection of Christ. Christ reminded us that except a grain of wheat die it cannot rise again, even as it was necessary that He die, be buried, and on the third day rise again so that we all can triumph over death. The Slavà's wheat is prepared as an offering to God for all of the blessings we have received from Him; it also is to honor the Patron Saint and to commemorate our ancestors who lived and died in the Orthodox faith. The Serbs in particular, but also many Albanians, Bulgars, and even Romanians and Greeks, observe not only their individual name day (onomastik), but also their family patronal feast, which is dedicated to the saint of the feast commemorated on the day in which their first ancestor was baptized. Families keep with great honor an icon of this saint or feast which is passed from generation to generation, and observe the day with a Krsna Slava Service at home, which is lead by the priest, or in his absence, by the domachin (head of the family). Various Serbian communities (villages, cities, organisations, political parties, institutions, companies, professions) also celebrate their patron saint: for example, Belgrade celebrates the Ascension as its slava. orthodoxwiki.org/Slava
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Post by Novi Pazar on Nov 5, 2007 21:21:36 GMT -5
"If this is so, then do you think that it is moral that you could continue with a practice that has such a pagan, non-Christian, inheritance? Doesnt this represent an attempt by Slavs/Serbs to half-ass their conversion?"
Not excusing anything but easter eggs ect....are derived from pagan traditions. Have a look at the native indians from south america or the christian africans from south africa, they go to church dressed in there former religious beliefs.
I find it rude that u call this a 'half ass conversion'.
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Post by Sar1389 on Nov 6, 2007 8:13:29 GMT -5
My response to the original post is, if true, so what? There are pagan customs throughout Christianity. If our Saints received certain revelations regarding Slava, what does it matter about the tradition?
Also, wasn't there a God in pagan times and if so, why could he not have sanctified certain pagan traditions?
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Demonel
Amicus
I am Jack's regained insanity.
Posts: 833
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Post by Demonel on Nov 6, 2007 8:18:25 GMT -5
Sarko you are not really an orthodox orthodox, are you?
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Post by sorryp on Nov 6, 2007 8:46:01 GMT -5
Much more orhodox than you are arab or turk or muslim.
Sorryp, take it alittle more easier in the way your chosing your words because some may find this offensive.
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Post by Sar1389 on Nov 6, 2007 10:06:04 GMT -5
Sarko you are not really an orthodox orthodox, are you? If I understood the question, I suppose I could answer.
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