TheErzyan native religion (Erzya:эрзянь пазнэнь озноматe,romanized: erzań pazneń oznomate), also calledErzyan neopaganism, is themodern revival of theethnic religion of theErzyaMordvins, peoples ofVolga Finnic ethnic stock dwelling in therepublic ofMordovia withinRussia, or in borderinglands of Russia. The name of the originating god according to the Erzya tradition isNishke [ru] (Nishke-Paz "god Nishke", Ineshkepaz).
MostMordvins historically practiced their indigenous religion and preserved their customs and folklore and a few villages completely preserved the native faith at least until the Mordvins were forcefully converted to Christianity by theRussian Orthodox Church in the 17th century and in the early 20th century.[1][2] The Neopagan revival was started in 1990,[3] alongside that of many other native religions in Russia, as theSoviet Union was on the brink of dissolution.
According to scholarVictor Schnirelmann, 2% of the Erzya adhere to the native faith and do not practice Christianity.[3] Adherents of theErzyan Mastor organisation organise theRas'ken' Ozks (lit. 'Native Prayer'), a national Erzyan worship service held yearly, with participation also of members of theMastorava organisation and other ones.[4][5][6]
The revival of the Erzyan native religion has grown alongside, and with the support, of Mordvinnationalism which started in the last years of theSoviet regime.[7] The revival of the national consciousness of the Mordvins was difficult at first, since they were a minority in their country and the press, which was very influential, took a toughcommunist line.[7] The Russian democrats and communists were hostile towards Mordvin nationalists.[7]
At the start of theperestroika the Mordvin national intelligentsia waged a vigorous and successful campaign againstRussian Orthodoxy, called "the religion of occupation", "theRussifying ideological force".[7] Later theSaransk Ministry of Culture endorsed the revival of Mordvin culture and Paganism, arousing outcry from local Orthodox bishops.[7] This was the circle that produced the first Neopagans, theMastorava organisation led by the local poet Raisa Kemaikina, a group within the Saransk intelligentsia whose aim was the completereconstruction of a Pagan worldview and religious services reworking folkloric, ethnographic and linguistic study.[7]
TheMastorava organisation was established in 1990 with the aim of "restoring the Erzyaethnic communities", also fostering a revival of Paganism.[3] The association is officially registered inMoscow since 2002.[8] The current president is Nikolay Vasilyevich Butilov.
TheErzyan Mastor (Erzya for: "Erzyan Land") is a more recent organisation splintering from theMastorava association. At first it was headed by Raisa Kemaykina (Mariz Kemal; Маризь Кемаль).[7] The group is focused on the Erzya, has political aims for the spread of Erzya Paganism, and is militant against Christianity.[9] In 1992 Kemaykina released the following declarations to theChuvash newspaperAtlas, answering to a question about her attitude towards Christianity:[7]
I am strongly opposed to it. In its role as the official state religion of Russia, Christianity suffocated the religions of other nations, transforming them into involuntary spiritual slaves. [...] t is worse than a prison. Sooner or later people get out of prison and become masters of their own fate again. A prisoner is someone who has lost his or her freedom temporarily. But a slave is not a prisoner — he doesn't even desire freedom. Over the course of many centuries Christianity has bred our peoples into slaves, depriving them of freedom of thought and reducing them to the level of submissive cattle. In the Erzya religion the relationship between God and human beings is different from that in Christianity. It is deeper, more humane, more beautiful. [...] In our religion a person's worth is not killed or suppressed, but extolled. You never hear things like "you are God's slave", or "turn the other cheek", or "if someone takes your coat give them your shirt as well", or "bless your enemy".
In 1992 Kemaykina organised the first Pagan national ritual after decades or even centuries, sponsored by Erzyan businessmen.[10] Neighbouring villages learned long-forgotten Pagan prayers and Kemaikina was proclaimed the first priestess of the Erzya people.[10] Television reports of that and following national worship ceremonies caused enthusiasm throughout the republic, and now the "Pagan question" is discussed from the remotest villages to university auditoria.[10]
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