The Notion of Myth in History, Ethnology and Phenomenology of Religion

Abstract

No myth might be understood differently than as a vital cultural power. Thus no researcher can collect and analyse myths out of context. They must notice the influence of myth on social life, morality, law and also religious life with its entire rituals. Many researchers demonstrate permanence of myths in every culture both in literary culture of literate Greek and Roman societies and in exclusively oral tradition of illiterate primeval communities. The phenomenon of permanence of myth might be explained by its special function and meaning. It is also not difficult to notice the relationship between myth and ritual in almost all cases. Applying, on a formal level, the analogy to mysterious rituals but remembering about the fundamental difference, essential and substantive, between monotheism (especially Christianity) and other religions and beliefs it is possible to state that Christian liturgy is also a ritual action, entering and participation in the mystery of Christ (saying per analogiam participation in the Myth of Christ, in the most positive sense of the term “myth”) and realisation of this Mystery through celebration.