For our ancestors, the family was the center of balance, much like the trunk of a sacred tree, where harmony was maintained through sacred rituals, traditions, and rules. This understanding and natural comprehension led our ancestors to revere gods, magical beings, ancestors, as well as the surrounding world, and to respect one another. Often, this respect extended even to enemies and, last but not least, to self-respect.
In every family, the spirits of ancestors were venerated in ancient times, and the worship of these spirits was widespread throughout the Slavic-inhabited lands. Such a spirit, known as STOPYAN, was perceived as the protector of households, property, the family farm, and the family itself, while also embodying the family’s ancestor. This could be a male or female spirit, referred to as DID (great-grandfather) or BABA (great-grandmother). These ancestral spirits were honored with small family altars, where their statues and images were placed alongside the statues of deities.
It was believed that just as the spirit of death lurks behind our left shoulder, our stopyan tends to protect us from behind our right shoulder. Our did or baba might communicate with us in various ways, most commonly appearing in human form, either as a face in bright light or as a full figure, though sometimes only as a voice. The stopyan might manifest in a waking state but more often appears in a so-called “living dream,” or during meditation or prayer.
The tradition of honoring ancestors persisted in many rituals even after the arrival of Christianity, whether in the rituals of the winter solstice—Christmas—or in many agrarian rituals and customs performed during work in the fields, forests, and across the entire farm. Prayers to ancestors and offerings were an integral part of every ritual accompanying birth, coming of age, and even death. The altar was usually placed in a sacred spot in the house, either in a corner by the hearth or stove. Similarly, a sacred place in the ancestors' dwelling was the corner behind the head of the table, above the seat reserved for the head of the family. The most common offerings included a bowl of milk, honey, porridge, or pieces of bread.
It was believed that a lack of proper respect for ancestors could provoke their anger, which could manifest as inexplicable misfortunes and damage to the farm, property, and even the health of the family. An angered ancestor had to be appeased with offerings, along with reflection on the mistakes made and genuine repentance. Sometimes, strange misfortunes and damages were caused by beings that managed to bypass the protection of the household stopyan. Such harmful beings typically gained entry through an invitation from the household by hosting or accommodating a guest who might unknowingly bring them along. In such cases, it was necessary to ask the household stopyan to expel the being or to banish it through magical practices and permanently forbid its return. Such a ritual could cause previously invited guests to behave strangely or be unwilling to enter the home.
The customs of the ancestors were closely connected with the deities Rod, Veles, Mokosh, and other gods that the family most frequently invoked.
