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Description of the Lithuanian Ethnic Faith
The Lithuanian Ethnic Religion is based on the Lithuanian and Baltic ethnic religious traditions that have lasted for millennia.
It emerged from the ancient Baltic Religion and evolved together with the Lithuanian Baltic Culture (lietuviu baltiskoji kultura). This religion served as the principle religion of Lithuanians from prehistoric times. Not all Lithuanians abandoned the Lithuanian Ethnic Religion during the centuries LIthuania endured foreign political, cultural, and religious oppression.
In the 14th century, Gediminas--the penultimate Pagan ruler of Lithuania -- Gediminas defended Lithuania froom foreign invasions and protected Lithuanian Ethnic Religion from prosecution who worte that each nation has its own path to God- the Lithuanian Ethnic Religion does not denounce or denigrate the beliefs of others.This principle is encapsulated in his famous proclamation, "Let everyone worship their own Gods in Lithuania." He decreed decreed that Lithuania must be a land of tolerance because Lithuanian religion fundamentally professes this virtue. This remained law until the dissolution of the Lithuanian Grand Duchy in 1795 by Czarist occupation.
The Baltic faith does not negate other religions and Gods, but emphasizes the sacredness of nature first and foremost. Baltic religion is inherently diverse. Some acclaim its Indo-Europeanism. Some see it as Old European. Finally, some label it as Shamanism. All these views are true. Baltic religion combines and integrates Shamanistic roots with Old European flourishment as well as with Indo-European religion. Practitioners of the Lithuanian Ethnic Religion began calling their beliefs "Romuva" in the early part of the 20th Century
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. Romuva professes the Gods and Goddesses of the Lithuanian and ancient Balts. The principle divinities include Mother Earth Goddess Zemyna, the Goddess of Life, Fate and Fortune Laima, and the Heavenly God Dievas.
The value of Baltic Paganism lies in enlightening and restoring the worship of the Pagan deities.
The concept of male/female dualism and the idea that all deities are merely names for different aspects of "the Goddess and the God" might be established as normative in several of todays Neo-Pagan religions. Evidence of the surviving Lithuanian Ethnic Religious traditions indicate that the viewpoint was not characteristic and should not be the standard for Romuva.
In any matters concerning creed, doctrine, and similar matters, Romuva USA?canada advocates the accurate and authentic propagation of the beliefs and practices of the Lithuanian Ethnic Religion.
Romuva USA/Canada supports everyone's right to interpret the Lithuanian Ethnic Religion in a way meaningful to themselves. The old beliefs should not be made to conform to any interpretations or principles of Westen magickal and religious thoughts.
In North America, the Lithuanian Ethnic Church of the USA/Canada, Inc. Lietuviu etine religine bendruomene Romuva JAV-ose is incorporated as a Religious Society of the state of Wisconsin.
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