Assianism

Assianism is a polytheistic ethnic and folk religion derived from the traditional mythology of the Ossetians, a unique ethnic group of the Caucasus that speaks an Indo-Iranian language. Assianism is believed to be a continuation of the ancient Scythian religion. The Ossetian people are currently split between two states: North Ossetia–Alania, a Russian republic, and the neighbouring partially recognized state of South Ossetia, as sovereign territory of Russian occupied Georgia occupied by Russia. In the 1980's partial collapse of the Soviet Union triggered projects of identity-building among many of its constituent nations. In Ossetia, as in other nations, this involved the recovery of an authentic national religion that predates Christianity. Stalinist anti-religious activism drove ancient local practices from the sphere of ethnic tradition into the sphere of religion in the minds of the Ossetian people. The Nart sagas are regarded as the holy writings of Assianism. The Dzuary Lægtæ and Khetag Morgoyev define Assian theo-cosmology as non-duelistic pantheism and non-dualism. Assianism worships a supreme God, Xwytsau, who is the creator of the universe and of all beings. The universe is the body of God which comprises both the material world of the living and the transcendent spiritual realm of God wherein the dead return to life. This realm has no tangible, personal qualities, nor any extension in space and time. It is pure light. Assian theology affirms that God is within every creature, is the head of everything, and, in men, is manifested as reason, measure, and righteousness,