From the book
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The Russian Korels are orthodox, the Finnish are Lutheran. However, they are just considered orthodox officially; in reality the majority of them are supporters of 'old faith' which has existed here for many years and was brought here by the Russian who moved here in the 16th century, escaping Patriarch Nikon and his innovations. Having converted to Christianity without understanding it, the Korels remain loyal to many superstitions that have been preserved since pagan times. They still believe in the wood-goblin, the water-sprite, the home spirit, and the evil forces; they believe in witchcraft and charms, and their silence can't be explained by their unwillingness to make angry any spirit by an unnecessary word said in a bad time. But as they have to talk anyway, they have a lot of sayings, spells, charms that they use to calm down the evil spirit if it is angry… Later I'll have to get back to korelian superstitions; the signs of them can be found in cemeteries, in forests, lakes, everywhere; but I have to say that the Korels are very religious people but they hardly know any prayer. Their only prayer is "Lord bless me!", and these words express everything that they want from God, everything they ask about. Almost every village has got, if not a church, but a chapel, but crosses are installed everywhere: on junctions, near roads, on shores and banks where ships leave, in wild forests, even in fields. Everywhere the Korels are trying to insinuate the evil spirits, or make them fear by the showing of the cross. Translated by Maria, 2006 |