Eerä

Introduction

Vera is a Pagan-Christian syncretistic religion of Nassland, which mixes Slavic Paganism with Orthodox and Protestant Christianity. It was created by the Reverend Johann Handström of Sweden in 1557 on an already existing syncretistic Nassian religion. The were three stages to Eerä.

1. The Pre-christian Religion

Deus otiosus Kosëpottaru (ancient Nassian: Gospodaru; English. house-keeper) had two sons Pelpökkü (Belbogu; White God) and Ssërnëpokku (Kernebogu; Black God), twins, who created the world and all other gods in the form of cock who laid an egg of world. Pelpökkü laid the egg and when he fell asleep, Ssërnëpokku crushed the shell. In that moment Sun and Moon jumped out of it and lightened the things around. The crushed egg was placed in a nest in a cave entrance on the top of a high mountain. That, what else stemed in the egg, were all rivers of the world. Pelpökkü woke up because of the light. His brother feared his wrath and hid himself in the cave. Thus Pelpökkü and Sun (Sëvarokku, Svarogu) became lords of day and Ssërnëpokku and Mokosa (Moon), lords of night. Mokosa, wife of Përunu, was not satisfied with this and after several fights she won a privilege to appear also in the daylight.

Main Gods of Old Nassians

Përunu, son of Pelpökkü, God of Thunder and Storm, was chosen on a first meeting to be the chief of the divine council. Mokosa, wife of Përunu. Goddess of crop and agriculture (telluric deity, Terra Mater). Sëtëripokku (Stribogu) - son of Pelpökkü, Lord of the Sky and Wind (apparently a tranformation of the old uranian deities, the Slavic Kosëpottaru and the Finno-ugric Ukko) Sëvarokku - son of Pelpökkü, God of Sun, Fire; he is the divine smith (Finno-ugric Ilmarinen). He has a son Sëvarokkiku (Svarogiku), God of Furious War. Velesü - son of Ssërnëpokku, God of Herd, Wealth, Fertility. He guarantees oaths and protectes volkovesa (wizards). His symbol is the phallus. He is also God of the Underworld (compare Hádes, Crom Cruach). Sëvëtëvitu - son of Përunu and Mokosa, God of crop and of efforts. Warriors gave him one-third of war prey, merchants one-quarter of their profit. He has a white horse. He also has four heads, two backs and two chests. He sees the beginning and the end. He dies every year to be conceived and born again (see Ianus). Tirikolvëku (Triglav) - a symbol of deity in general, he seems to be the old Indo-european archetype of three main castes and their protectors (heaven Sëtëripokku/Përunu, war Sëvarokku/Sëvëtëvitu, tribe Rottu; Georges Dumézil). The symbol of Tirikolvëku is three circles, which became the symbol of Nassland as under divine protection.

Minor deities

tivo (divons) (Pelpökkü), peesä (biesoi) (Ssërnëpokku), vilo, vottaka (water), kekäkä (forests), kolvaka (mountains)

musa (mouse) - symbol of revenge for evil acts

*iatatei > atati - ritual kill, sacrifice, *iata > ata - altar

*gatei > *gat, gatina > katina (see Polabian kacina) name of an open-air shrine/temple, latin contines

*chormus > këromu, shrine-building

White stag (reindeer) – *belus elenos > belenu > pelenü

2. The First Syncretism – around 12th century E.C.

Pelpökkü / Përunu / Sëvarokku - father of all, good form

Ssërnëpokku / Sëvarokku / Tottapokku - angry form

Mokosa - mother of all

Sëvëtëvitu - their son

3. The Second Syncretism – Eerä, Johann Handström, 1557

(Sëvëtu Otu) Pokku - God

(Sëvëta) Matëra - St. Mary

(Sëvëtu) Sünü, Pokkiku - Jesus Christ

Main festivities

spring Vëlënokëto (Easter)

winter Kölettä within Rottika / Anavortu (Christmas)