Friday 23 September 2016

Anna's Gothvos stone


Anna is a Scenographer working in Russia. She placed her stone from Mounts Bay in Suzdal.

       Gothvos In Suzdal by Anna Efremova

Suzdal: Gothvos,  There are several places here with pagan connections such as Sin-Kamen (Blue Rock or  Blue Stone) in Pereslavl Zalessky town, Its a type of stone associated with sacred pagan uses, widespread in Russia and in areas historically inhabited by both Eastern Slavic (Russian), and Uralic tribes (Merya, Muroma). Unlike Sledovik (both Sledovik proper and Cup-stones), Blue Stones did not have large hollows in them, and were venerated in a simpler way: by pouring water on them, or leaving food offerings. Some of the Blue Stones are still known about, and to some extent venerated by the local population.

The stone placed in the Suzdal russian town. The name of the place is Yarunova Gora (Yarunova Hill).
The church in the photograph is from 18th century. In 12th century there was a monastery sited there. Before the monastery and christianization of Russia in 10th century the locale was a pagandom.
Yarunova Gora is a sacral place inherited for orthodox Christian culture from the pre existing pagan culture.
As it is commonly agreed, almost all the Deities from the early slavic pagandom hold a connection to the natural world. Jarilo is a Slavic god of sun, vegetation, fertility and springtime.  The worship of Jarilo was also considered as a source of happiness and harmony.
Pagan Temples were erected on the top of the hills, overgrown by trees. Pagans used to clear the top of the hill of greenery, and after that, they would raise an idol. In front of the wooden Idol they would have placed a large white stone. In some cases the place of the stone was at the foot of the hill.  The worship involved the ritual dancing and singing of songs. Pagans produced small figurines and effigies which invariably were crushed on the large white stones. This was considered an action which brings a blessing from Jarila. The Gothvos stone is a small token I left here for a blessing from nature. 



The stone placed in the Suzdal russian town. The name of the place is Yarunova Gora (Yarunova Hill).
The church on photograph is from 18 th century. Before that in 12 th century there was a monastery. Before the monastery and christianization of Russia in 10th century there was a pagandom.
Yarunova Gora is a sacral place inherited for orthodox Christian culture from pagan culture.
As it well known, almost each Deity from early pagandom slavonians has a connection to the nature . Jarilo is a Slavic god of sun, vegetation, fertility and springtime.  Worship Jarilo was also considered as a sourse of happiness and harmony.

Pagan Temples were placed on the top of the hills, overgrow by trees. Pagans used to clean the top of the hill from greenery, and after that, they have raised their idol. In front of the wooden Idol they have placed a big white stone. In some cases the place of the stone was at the foot of the hill.  The worship was all about dancing and singing songs. Sometimes pagans have produced small humanlike figures-dolls and have crashed them on the big white stone. That was considered as an action which brings a blessing from Jarila. The Gothvos stone is a small piece left here for blessing from nature. 

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