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Romuva is one of the oldest of the Pagan revivalist religions. It is an expression of the faith of the Lithuanian people on the shore of the Blatic Sea. The Lithuanian Ethnic Religion formed from the Baltic convergence of the Old European Chthonic and Indo-Eyropean heavenly religions.
Romuva is an ethnic
religion community continuing live Baltic pagan traditions which
survived in folklore and customs. Worship centers around a pantheon
with many Godesses and Gods, which asserts the sacrality of nature as
well as the practice of ancestor veneration.
Thus, Baltic Mythology tells us who we are.
We are Dievo sunus ir dukros, sons and daughters of Dievas.
We are Perkuno (The Thunder
God) devyni sunus, the nine sons of Perkunas, who are very rambunctious
and potentially, destructive children, each with an absolutely unique
skill that not only creates, but also helps.
We are zmones (people),
children of Zeme, The Earth Goddess), made of the same stuff as Zeme.
Zeme is both our mother and our sister. She is our own flesh and blood.
She gives us birth, she nourished us, ans she takes us in when we die.
Alive, we respect and protect her.
As children of the Gods, all humans are our brothers and sisters.
Worship centers around a pantheon with many Godesses and Gods,
which asserts the sacrality of nature, as well as the practice of
ancestor veneration.
The Baltic faith does not negate other religions and Gods, but emphasizes the sacredness of nature first and foremost.
An extract from the speech by Jonas Trinkunas, Romuva Krivis, told on the occasion of putting a corner stone of Perkunas' sanctuary:
"Native Baltic faith born in the mist of history has always strengthened the roots of the Lithuanian nation and raised the spirit and power of our forefathers. It was saved by a miracle in the vortex of political events and violent invasion of other nations and their gods. The native Baltic faith has survived in our hearts thanks to the efforts of the enlightened persons of our nation who have cherished the image of the ancient national world - outlook and feeling of unity with nature. …
Our gods are awakening who were sleeping through the lack of attention of the nation. As the Sun and the Moon have never stopped shining and the stars have not stopped twinkling, They have never left our Land, our trees, our fire and water, our stones and our dwellings, our Sky and our hearts. They have fallen asleep only for a short time and now they would get up cheerful and ready to carry the burden of our requests and dreams."
The core of the faith is harmony (Darna).
First, darna aspires to inner harmony: people at peace with themselves.
Second, it endeavours to create harmony at home and in the community.
Third, it pursues harmony with the ancestors.
Finally, it quests for harmony with the universe, i.e. with life and with the divinities.
It is one thing to have this
idea in your head. It is another thing to feel this in your heart. It
is yet another thing to live it in your life.
Do you really know who you are?
This is your birthright. Claim it. Live it.
Dieve padek! Laima palaimink!
God Dievas help us! Laima (Goddess of Fate) bless us!
Skalsos!
Rudra Vilius Dunzila, Elder Emritus
Romuva USA/Canada
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