Russian Pagan past, its magic and folklore, is a fascinating subject. Most of us are familiar with Russia’s fairy tales, but not so much about Russia’s religious history. That is why this little article found in a 1903 newspaper is so interesting: it is a look at a ritual that probably is long forgotten.
A Heathen Rite in Russia.
A curious account is given in a Kazan (Russia) paper of a heathen sacrifice recently offered up to idols in a Chuvash village in the Province of Kazan. Contributions of butter, milk, salt and meal were requisitioned by the priests from the villagers, and on a propitious day the whole people turned out to the river bank where prayers were offered up to the gods for rain, and a swallow, having been caught and smeared with butter, was released to “fly upwards to carry our prayers to the ears of the gods.”
The proceedings closed with a feast, after which the priests began pushing one another into the water and then flinging water over the assembled crowd. The story is baldly told, without the least interest in what appears to be some relic of old age ceremonial which may be worthy of the attention of the learned in such matters. [Source]
