Суеверия и народные обряды в Cамарской, Саратовской и Пензенской губерниях

Abstract

Often in everyday life we have to deal with various signs and superstitions that are quite tenacious, despite their incompatibility with Orthodoxy. Superstitions usually refer to the stories of the water spirit, bogie, puck, mermaids, healers, sorcerers, etc., as well as various supernatural creatures and inexplicable phenomena. Various charms, amulets, nauzes, etc. can also be attributed to superstition, as all of the above is an attribute of witchcraft. These phenomena arose, most likely due to a lack of enlightenment, education and Orthodox culture. Superstitions come to life in the usual proverbs, sayings, signs. Many rituals and customs – weddings, christenings, funerals, and even Orthodox holidays intertwined with more ancient rituals. They cannot be destroyed, it is transferred from century to century by one generation to another down to every last detail. Therefore, folk paganism constantly attracts close attention of researchers, as well as all who would like to understand the spiritual origins of our culture today. The phenomenon of dual faith is one of the varieties of neo-paganism. We explore the superstitions and folk rites in the Samara, Saratov and Penza Governorates.