THE NEED TO EXPLORE SACRED PLACES AND SPACES IN SOCIAL LIFE

Abstract

The article deals with the selection of the most appropriate methodology for the study of sacred spaces. The study of religious activities and sacred spaces has its own characteristics in relation to other studies in social geography. Its peculiarity is that it combines the use of methods of physical geography (in the study of sacred landscapes and sacred spaces) and social geography, psychology and philosophy (in the study of the geo-religious sphere). Sacred space can be studied in the process of studying as a phenomenon that has a territorial specificity and forms socio-cultural trends. In a general sense, a sacred space is a territory with special properties that performs a spiritual function. Properties can be religious, natural, or historical. Sacred spaces are most appropriate to study at the local level, within administrative districts or regions. In each city, district, or village, there are different religious sites or localities that people have given a mystical meaning to. It can be a lake, a mountain or a hill that stands out in the area, a forest with a special biocenosis, or just a part of a field or river that had a noticeable impact on the life of the local population. That is, both religious and natural and historical sacred spaces are best studied at the local level, the specific limits of which will be the boundaries of administrative districts.