Elements of the Pagan Tradition in the Pre–Christmas Holidays of the Ruthenians in Vojvodina

Abstract

The article studies elements of the pre–Christian tradition existing in the background of the Christian holidays celebrated by the Ruthenians of Vojvodina. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the manner in which the pagan tradition influenced the development of the external form which these holidays have taken. An analysis of particular folk customs that exist in the background of the pre–Christmas holiday period, i.e. at the beginning of the winter cycle, specifically on the feast days of St. Andrew and St. Barbara, and a comparison with similar elements existing in pagan customs of the beginning of the summer cycle, enable us to see that elements of the pagan tradition contain a kind of mythological dialectic between light and darkness. At the same time, our research sheds light on certain problems encountered by the Church in the baptizing of pagan nations.