Velez - old Russian god of animals, livestock and wealth.He was the second most important after Perun.This deity worshiped not only in ancient times, modern Orthodox and Pagans Rodnovers continued his reverence.
Velez God in ancient times
Since Veles was god of cattle, he asked for the protection of animals.In this regard, some Slavic tribes began to call the shepherds "Veles".According to ancient beliefs, Slavic god Veles could turn into a bear, so was considered the patron saint of hunting.Welles called the spirit of the beast, who was killed while hunting.This Slavic god was another important purpose.In particular, Veles "pass" in the afterlife the souls of the dead.Therefore Lithuanians called All Souls' Day "Veles time."According to tradition, this day was held a ceremony of burning animal bones.Moreover, Veles was the embodiment of gold.
In the 10th century the cult of this deity was common in Novgorod, Kiev and Rostov land.The chronicles mention that the idol of the god Veles once stood in Kiev at the hem.In 907, by signing an agreement with Byzantium, Russian vowed not only to Perun, and Veles.The ancient Slavs were livestock measure of wealth, it is not surprising that God was vysokopochitaem Velez.
Slavs celebrated the so-called Veles days that coincide with modern yuletide and Carnival.In those days it was decided to dress up in coats and animal masks.Especially important was on March 24 when the celebrated Komoeditsy.Interestingly, due to the specified holiday originated the famous expression: "The first practice makes perfect."Initially, this saying was pronounced differently: "The first pancake comas."It was believed that on this day bears (coma) and woke up out of the den.To appease the bears, they had to give the first baked pancake.
Velez God in today's world
With the advent of Christianity in Russia the veneration of Veles has been supplanted by the cult of St. Blaise.It also protects livestock.Traces remain of pagan worship in the worship of St.Blasius in the north of Russia.Such a combination is not that other as orthodox paganism.In the early 20th century Russian peasants adhered to the ancient custom by which a gift is necessary to leave Veles uncompressed few ears.These spikes called "Volotov" or "Volosovo beard."This gift was to appease not only Veles, but also the souls of ancestors.It is the latter could ask the deity of the future harvest.On the other hand, the pagan god Veles with time began relate to the unclean spirit, or leshim.
But the cult of Veles is preserved not only in some of the "Christian" tradition, but in Rodnoverie.The latter is a neopagan religious movement, whose purpose - to revive the ancient Slavic beliefs and practices.According Rodnovers, knowledge and rituals of the ancient Slavs are sacred, so they try to comply with them and reconstruct.In Rodnovers god Veles - a black god, lord of the dead, in addition, he is responsible for wisdom and help the Magi.Veles Neopagans give not the least important, in particular, there is a community association, which is called the "circle of Veles."
