in the Serbian language, "svetovid-svetovit" has the meaning of God who sees everything and therefore has 4 faces. In Christianity today, the day of "svetovid" also remains, which is celebrated by Orthodox Serbs in the Balkans as Vidov-day on June 28.

Interesting video, I wouldn't say that Poland was occupied by Russia though (in Soviet times I mean, it obviously was occupied in Russian Empire) not only since what is meant here is the USSR (which never was Russia, since Russia was the RSFSR simply a republic inside the Soviet Union) but also because despite being inside the Warsaw Pact it still had great autonomy, it's more like how EU is and most people wouldn't say that countries in EU (which have to go along others and abide to the EU rules) are occupied by it.

I like the info. But as a Slav myself, I'm of an opinion that a lot of Slavic info on beliefs and achievements are misinterpreted, embellished, and made up. I feel that pan slavicists and Slavic nationalists have made up some stuff. Viking ships are still found at the bottom of seas and lakes. Compared to Viking archeological finds there is very little such Slavic finds. For one, Scandinavian/Germanic people have been in Europe far longer. They had established their control and learned to write long before Slavic people. Long before spread of Christianity. Church couldn't just sweep Germanic/Scandinavian culture under a rug. Slavic people didn't have such opportunity. East Orthodox Church and Ottoman Muslims have done their number on Slavic traditions.

As a Polish woman of both parents hailing from Norway, I was always interested in the similarities between the cultures that grew together for centuries! Great Podcast

Slavic people were in the forests on land. Often far from the sea..

Fantastic episode! I am so proud that Dr Leszek is my countryman. His knowledge, insights and the way he is able to lecture is a pure joy to behold. I also love Dan's reactions to my native beliefs, rituals and deities. He seemed so shocked and fascinated by them it was just heartwarming to listen to. Love you guys! :)

Really love that you did not interrupt and let him talk. Great podcast.

The reason there's so much about the vikings and not much about the slavs or my people the celts and the way these groups are portrayed largely comes down to the way the authors themselves ethnically identified themselves as being descended of anglo-saxons and vikings therefore they elevate the "vikings" to a near godlike status while talking very little about the lands where they came from they hardly mention what was going on in the countries the vikings came from only what they were doing in europe at that time. So the reason that the vikings are seen this way is more ethnic and political than historical.

I hope into the future the knowledge of slavic mythology continues to make its way into the English world. So many of us have our ancestral history there but have lost our connection to slavik language and with it all of the rich folklore

The myth about Perun and Weles reminds me of Thor and Jormungandr in the story where Thor went fishing. Amazing episode by the way. I really enjoyed it 🙂

This was such an enjoyable and insightful episode. From a fellow Slav - Slovak a big thank you to Dan and Leszek.

Love listening more on my ancestral mythology and traditions

Wonderful conversation. I had never given the Scandinavian topic much time since I don’t know anyone with a love for this history. Thank you both. I’m glad I listened until the end.

great interview, really interesting

this was great

One of the most interesting things about studying Christian theology. Is observing how it was changed to be more easily understood by the people it was being brought to. So things like heaven, earth, and hell on a world axis. Is a very prominent feature in European Christianity. However, in observing the original text it’s not actually specified to what degree any of those places exist, or how they are arranged.

Well done Leszek. Thanks Dan, for the platform. The Zbrucz idol's "hat" seems very penile-suggestive, with the overall impression of an erect phallus. The spur seems fragile and therefore probably ceremonial. The elaborate imagery is lost if it is covered in mud. The bells are to draw attention, so it's meant to be worn before a crowd to announce status, perhaps guards of a leader on parade. The critters on top seem more like rams than cattle, but I'm not sure what cattle breeds looked like in the era of these spurs use. Elaborate riding gear may have also arrived with nomad mercenaries, since nomads love gaudy personal display, since they don't have architecture to project state power symbolism with.

Czech-American here .

h ave you seen the Nunburnholme cross near Pocklington , Yorkshire, anglo saxon, viking carvings, thought to depict king Athelstan, a real surprise this church of ST james. key holder lives over road.

Has anyone attempted a copy of the statue with a reconstruction of what it may have originally looked like. I know it would have to have a lot of conjecture but it would be an interesting piece to make