There are not so many sources that can be used to judge how pagan religious rites were carried out on the territory of Russia before the adoption of Christianity . In particular, scientists know little about the arrangement of ancient pagan religious buildings. The heterogeneity of ancient Slavic beliefs, the mixing of cultural elements of different tribes that existed in a particular territory at different periods of time, significantly complicate the study. However, recently, due to the growing interest in the pre-Christian history of our country, scientists have managed to get quite a lot of new information on this issue.
Outdoor pagan temple
First, let's figure out what a pagan temple is? This is one of the varieties of pre-Christian religious construction, the main purpose of which was the direct communication of man with the supreme gods. Actually, it is difficult to call a temple a construction, since it was an oval or round platform in the open air, often enclosed by a moat. At the same time, the idol of the deity in whose honor it was arranged was located in the center.
Very often a pagan temple of this type was located far from settlements and villages. Researchers often find such places of worship on tops of mountains, in the middle of forests, swamps, etc. The diameter of the circle could be several tens of meters. Sacrificial bonfires were kindled in the ditches, and various kinds of sacred objects (stones, pillars) were placed on their edges. If the temple was dedicated to several gods, their idols could be located around the circle. Some objects of this kind are called by scientists small fortifications, as they are surrounded by low mounds.
Temple in the temple
The Slavs performed their rituals in real temples (from the word "mansions"). Each similar structure had a temple. This name was carried by the part of the temple, located behind the altar. Here idols were usually installed. In some cases, the temple itself is also called the temple. Most often, such buildings had a round shape. However, archaeologists have discovered square structures.
Archaeological finds on the territory of ancient Russia
As already mentioned, there are very few material evidence and written sources that allow us to judge how exactly the Slavic religious buildings dedicated to these or those gods looked like. The most famous historical monuments are the Kiev and Peryn Slavic temples. The latter was dedicated to the Slavic war god Perun. It was created on the orders of Prince Vladimir during the pagan reform in 980. Archaeologists partially managed to restore its original appearance. The object was an almost perfectly round area with a diameter of 21 meters. It was surrounded by a moat of a meter deep.
As for such a structure as an ancient temple in Kiev, practically no archaeological finds were made here. And this is not surprising. After all, the territory on which it is located has been actively used for many centuries. And it is unlikely that the capital of the Christian state would have preserved too many objects belonging to the old cult.
Slavic gods
So, we found out that the temple is, in fact, a pagan temple located in the open air or representing a religious building. As for the subject of worship of those who visited these sacred places in antiquity - the Slavic gods, a little more is known about them. During the reform carried out by Prince Vladimir, Dazhdbog, Khors, Stribog, Makosh and Semargl, led by Perun, were included in the pantheon of the main deities. Their idols stood next to the princely mansions on Mount Kiev. Another Slav was especially revered by the Eastern Slavs - Veles. In the "Tale of Bygone Years", in addition to these deities, others are mentioned - Lada, Kupala, Kolyada, Pozvizd.
Slavic idols
Slavic idols were anthropomorphic (humanoid) wooden figures about 2-2.5 m high. At the base, such a pillar could be either round or quadrangular. In his right hand, God could hold a sword, ring or horn. Sometimes the deity's hands crossed on his chest. In this case, the right was usually located above the left. Some chronicles mention the existence of idols made from other materials - copper, marble, gold or silver. Archaeologists found stone cult statues.
Natural Shrines
The system of pagan rituals is based primarily on the selection of an effective language of communication with the forces of nature. In any phenomenon that occurred at a particular time of the year, the pagans saw the sacred will of higher powers. Therefore, the Slavs had a very well-developed system of veneration of various kinds of sacred places - groves, hotel trees, stones, springs, lakes, swamps, etc.
Thus, the temple is a place where rituals dedicated to pagan gods were practiced. These ancient buildings, almost never survived, have become the prototypes of modern churches. In particular, some researchers have suggested that the multifaceted Orthodox churches, as well as such an architectural element as the octagon, have ancient pagan roots.