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This view was supported by some later researchers. However, it is generally believed that the cult of Svetovit existed only among the Polabian Slavs and that Vidovdan has nothing to do with this god, and that linking the deity to the holiday is a creation of romanticism. References
Svetovit, Sventovit, Svantovit is the god of abundance and war, and the chief god of the Slavic tribe of the Rani, and later of all the Polabian Slavs. His organized cult was located on the island of Rügen, at Cape Arkona, where his main temple was also located. According to the descriptions of medieval chroniclers, the statue representing ...
- Physical Description of Svetovid
- The White Stallion of Svetovid
- Svetovid as God of Gods, His Importance in Society and Decline of His Cult
- Festival of Svetovid / Svantovit
- Other Names and Manifestations of Svetovid
Within the sanctuary, which was enclosed by two fences, arose a gigantic statue of Svetovid, surpassing in size all human dimensions, at some eight meters high, and having four necks and four heads, one for each cardinal point. The beard was shaved, and the hair was cut short, as was the custom among the people of Rugen. In his right hand, Svetovid...
A living white stallion, sacred to Svantovit, was kept in his temple, and beside his statue hung its saddle and bridle along with Svantovit’s sword and war banner. The beautiful white horse was consecrated to Svantovit and was fed and groomed by the head priest, to whom the people of Rugen showed the same respect that they manifested for the king h...
The statue and inner shrines of Svantovit’s temple were so sacred that they were guarded day and night, and even the high priests—who were the only people ever to be allowed past the armed guards—had to hold their breath while inside. Early chroniclers, such as Saxo Grammaticus, are the only sources of testimony regarding the cult of Svantovit, and...
Shortly after harvest a great festival was held in honour of Svantovit, and on this occasion people assembled from all quarters of the island of Rugen to sacrifice cattle and to join in the rites. On the day before the ceremonies began the sanctuary was carefully swept by the priest, who alone had access to it. While he remained inside, he was very...
The appellations of other deities worshipped in the island of Rugen were closely connected with the name of Svantovit. In the sanctuary of the town of Korenice (the modern Garz) stood a colossal oaken idol, called Rugievit (or Rinvit), which was so high that Bishop Absalon, though a very tall man, could scarcely reach its chin with his axe when he ...
Decline of Svetovit’s Cult and Danish Conquest. As time passed, the cult of Svetovit faced a decline, eventually leading to its downfall due to the Danish conquest. In 1168, King Valdemar of Denmark conquered Arkona, the center of Svetovit’s worship, and seized the temple’s precious treasures.
With the Christianity, Svetovid cult was replaced with Saint Vitus. However, the name of Christian saint was Saint Vitus, and in the name of its day- Vidovdan, the root of the Svetovid’s name remained (Vid). That means that Christian people didn’t accept saint Vitus completely.
The Vidovdan cult was the strongest in Vojvodina, due to the advanced Serbian community and the role which the Church played in it. Especially after the revolutionary days of 1848, Vidovdan was remembered at church gatherings, popular fairs, and youth festivals as a token of national solidarity, pride, and self-confidence.
Sep 13, 2015 · It is believed that Svantevit's four heads stand for the four sides of the world that this all-seeing god is looking at. It is believed that Svantevit may also have been worshipped as a supreme deity and seen as a father to other gods. His attributes were a sword, a bridle, a saddle, and a white horse. His worshipers believed the god would ...
