Poland is a country with a long and varied history steeped in culture, and the past religions of the land are no exception. Before Christianity, Poland was inhabited by pagan religions like Slavic and Baltic paganism, as well as Judaism.The belief in multiple deities dates back to at least the 12th century, and likely much earlier.This article takes a look at what these religions believed, the influence Christianity had on Polish culture, and how they were practised in the past.
Slavic and Baltic Paganism
Slavic and Baltic paganism were the oldest and most widely practised religion in what is now Poland.The religion involved worshipping multiple gods, known as the Rods.These included gods of thunder and lightning, fertility, war, and the sun, as well as other deities.The festivals traditionally associated with the religion still survive to this day, and include Sloevitze, annually celebrated in April; Kresy, celebrated on the second Sunday in September; and Narew, celebrated on the full moon.
Rituals associated with Slavic and Baltic paganism included animal sacrifices, prayers, and offerings. These offerings were offered to ward off evil, bring good luck, and ensure the fertility of the land and well-being of the people.The rituals were strongly linked to the agricultural cycle, with festivals occurring during different harvests, or at the changing of the seasons.
These traditional beliefs and practices have had a significant influence on Polish culture, particularly in the practice of superstitions, folktales and mythologies.The language Polish is also strongly inherited from the clergy of the time, and words such as ‘Bog’ (God) and ‘Maga’ (witch) come from the Slavonic tongue.
Judaism
The Jewish religion was present in Poland since at least the 10th century, and at its peak in the 18th century made up around 10% of the population, having its own laws and customs.The beliefs of Judaism involve a strong faith in one God, and a personal relationship to the divine. Jews in the past followed strictly their traditions and customs, and did not accept conversion to Christianity.
Judaism was a prominent feature in the life in many Polish towns, with centres of worship, educational establishments and hospitals.The main Torah of the faith is the Talmud, which is a collection of laws and moral lessons, as well as commentaries on the Old Testament scriptures.
Many traditional festivals and customs of the Jewish faith are still observed today. These include Purim, a festival celebrating deliverance from a crisis, and Chanukah, a festival marking the re-dedication of the temple.The Jewish religion is also associated with certain foods, such as the traditional matzah bread or kugel, made with potatoes.
Influence of Christianity in Poland
Christianity has been present in Poland since at least the 10th century, and has had a profound influence on the culture of the region.The religion was adopted in different forms, with Catholicism being the most dominant one.The Catholic Church today continues to play an important role in many areas of life, including religious festivals, abortion laws, and education.
Christianity also had a significant impact on the language and literature of the time. The adoption of Catholicism meant the translation of the Bible into Polish, as well as a vast collection of texts from the Church, such as The Decalogue and the Gospels. Polish literature from the period is strongly influenced by religious themes, with many writers choosing to focus on morality, faith, and the nature of the divine.
Christianity had a great influence on the political landscape of Poland as well. The idea of a unified Polish kingdom had been present since the 10th century, however it was not until the adoption of the religion in the 10th century that it was possible to create a fully unified country. In 1025, both the Polish and Lithuanian royal families converted and established the nation of Poland.
Practices of the Religions
Before Christianity, many practices associated with the pagan and Jewish religions could still be found. These include traditional healing practices, such as herbal remedies, divination, and prayers.Sacrifice was also practised, although mainly in the form of offerings to the gods or spirits.The festivals of Slavic and Baltic paganism were still observable, as were the traditional laws of Judaism, such as keeping kosher and observing the Sabbath.
Other practices included rituals such as offerings to the dead, divination, and the veneration of natural objects like rivers, trees, and mountains.These practices were outlawed when Christianity became the official religion, however could still be found lingering in some areas for centuries afterwards.
Many of these practices survive to this day, passed down over the generations. Some are still kept alive in folk tales and stories, acting as a source of entertainment, while others have been adopted into the modern culture as superstitions, such as wearing the colour red for good luck.
Legacy of the Past Religions
Despite the enforced Christianity of the region, remnants of the past religions can still be observed today.Many festivals from the pagan religions are still practised today, albeit in a slightly modified form. For example, St. John’s Day is based on the pagan solstice celebration of Kresy, and is still widely observed by Poles and Lithuanians alike.
The legacy of Judaism can still be observed in food, with dishes such as kugel, Jewish soup, poppy seed cake, and nalesniki commonly eaten. In the language, words associated with the religion such as ‘synagogue’, ‘Talmud’, and ‘rabbi’ are still in common use.The religion is also still practised by a small number of religious Jews.
Christianity has of course had a profound influence on the culture and practices of the Polish people, and the nation remains largely Catholic to this day.Education, traditions, language, and law are all heavily influenced by the religion, and religious festivals such as Easter and Christmas still continue to be celebrated by the population.
Conclusion of Paganism, Judaism and Christianity in Poland
Poland has a rich and varied history of paganism, Judaism and Christianity,with each of these religions making a lasting impact on the country. Although Christianity is now the official religion of the nation, echoes of the past traditions can still be observed today, from traditional festivals to superstitions and language.
