Sakralizacja wojen Moskwy z Nowogrodem i Litwą na przełomie XV i XVI wieku
The Sacralisation of the Wars of Moscow with Novgorod and Lithuania at the Turn of the 15th and 16th Century

Summary/Abstract: This article examines the sacralisation of Moscow’s wars against Novg orod and Lithuania at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. The analysis of the narrative sources is divided into two parts. The first chapter deals with the ideological legitimisation of the conflicts elaborated by the Muscovite political and ecclesiastical elite. This often took the form of the dehumanisation of the enemy. The second chapter research es the religious rituals that sacralised the conduct of war. The intercession of divine powers was ensured by prayers, the foundations of the churches, and the presence of icons and crosses. Although these wars should not be labelled as holy wars, the role of the Orthodox clergy in their conduct was considerable.

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