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UKRAINE

Society of the Ukrainian Native Faith
"PRAVOSLAVYA"
Kyiv, Ukraine

(See also the Declaration dated 25th August 1998.)


The society was founded in Kyiv in 1993 and was registered in 1997 (certificate No. 829)

The name
Ukrainian heathenism is a generic term referring to the national religion of our Ukrainian ancestors 1000 years ago, prior to Christianity, and which is now enjoying a revival in Ukraine.

We reject the term Paganism imposed by the Christian priests, as the Latin paganus has a negative connotation in the Ukrainian language, suggesting bad, in Ukrainian pohany. In the English language, we use the transcription Yazychnystvo and the full name Confession of the Ukrainian Native Faith Pravo -

The name Pravoslavya, originally an ancient heathen term, was adopted by the Christian Orthodox church to deceive the faithful during the first centuries following conversion to the Christian religion. Prav means peace of Gods and the Divine Law.

Slavya is a ceremonial divine heathen service, as well as the name of the Godess Slava. Thus, the term means the laudation of the Gods.

Holy Scriptures
The Ukrainian heathens have the ancient Ukrainian chronicle (oaken boards) The Book of Veles, written in V-IX centuries. This document contains various historical mythological and perspective sources of Ukrainian Native Faith, as well as the approaches to:

God Understanding different prayers and holidays.
Volkhovnyck ... are the presentations of the main approaches of heathen Faith, written in the modern Ukrainian language.
Pravoslov The prayers to Native Gods - Proceedings of prayers and religious songs presented in The Book of Veles and people's memory.
Scientific Investigations
Prof. Volodymyr Shayan (1908 - 1974) - Ukrainian philosopher, Sanskritist, poet and publicist, began the Renaissance of Ukrainian Native Faith in 1934.

In 1943, the Knightly Order of the Sun God was founded in Ukraine. The fundamental works are presented in the book The Faith of our Ancestors (Hamilton, Canada, 1987, V.I).
Halyna LOZKO is the Chairwoman of the society (Confession) of the Ukrainian Native Faith Pravoslavya, a scientific member and author of many publications on Ukrainian heathenism.

The dissertation Ukrainian Heathenism as a Source of Everyday Religious Syncretism proves the possibility of a reconstruction of the ancient Ukrainian religion.

Mission and Vision Statement of the Ukrainian Native Faith Society Pravoslavya
1. The collection and systematisation of Ukrainian national faith sources.
2. The scientific and theological treatment and revival of ancient traditions, prayers, songs and religious artifacts.
3. The education and cultivation of respect towards the religious heritage of the Ukrainian people, the nature and the development of ecological mentality and behaviour.

Knowledge of God
The ancient God of our faith is Svaroh, the main God of the Universe, the heavenly Zodiac. His sons are Dazhboh, Perun, Veles, Sryboh, Yarylo, Khors, Lado, Kupajlo, Symarhl, Pozvizd, Pereplut and others. His daughters are Lada, Leiya, Kupala, Dana, Perunystya, Mokosha, Kolyada and others.

All of them with their various names, as God is immortal, polyfacial and polynamed. Our faith is genotheical.

Trinity of existence ...
...is reflected in the idea of the sacred Tree of Life:

The roots of this tree reach to underground depth (the universe of the ancestors) - Nav, i.e. the roots of our Family.

The trunk and branches symbolize the manifestation of Life (the Universe of living people) - Yav.

Nature
The main idea of our Faith is to obtain a better knowledge of Nature and the Universe and to praise our Gods for the happiness in our lives.

This Feeling is an essential condition of human happiness. Our holidays help us cultivate a feeling of being part of Cosmic life, a cell of the great Cosmic ocean, to obtain a positive solar Energy from our God's love. Thus, there is a conception of Sacredness as the Creative Strength of God in our Native Faith.

ADDRESS:

Ukraine
Telephone: (044) 488-43-32

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