Nabiekrewa
Nabiekrewa (High Napranian), literally "blood-taking," is a Slavic Pagan ritual utilized by the Acolytes of Valenian Rodnovery to ordain members of the Valenian Clergy (Napranian Cyrillic: Клерги Валеней). It is officiated by the High Priest of the Temple of Valen following an individual's nomination to become a Valenian Priest, and intended to represent a "blood bind" with the Gods and the divine world, and the acceptance of mortality.
Ritual
Typically, the ritual begins with the aspiring Priest (Napranian Cyrillic: Жретс) creating a small cut in his or her left palm using a ceremonial dagger. Following this, they squeeze their palm until their blood falls onto the Sigil of Perun, staining the wood and symbolizing their eternal bind to the Slavic Gods. The Priest then recites the Modliwik Kroniki (English: Chronicle's Prayer). This is done with the left hand held up with only the middle and index fingers extended, and the right hand (held with an open palm) extended downward and to the right. The left index and middle fingers, being closest to the heart, symbolize the two creators (Perun and Dodola) as well as the duality of the Gods (Belobog and Chernobog), whereas the open right palm symbolizes the entrusting of one's mind and soul to Skórowiek, the Valenian demon and god of fear, deceit, agony, and gluttony, to display their agreement and blood bind to the Black Article of the Kronika.
Following the recital, the High Priest grants the newly-ordained Priest a new noble name, typically a Slavicized version of the individual's birth name, and declares them divine in the name of the Gods.
Feast and celebration
The ordainment of a Priest is typically followed by a feast and a celebration that lasts from the end of the ritual until midnight. This feast can include the sacrifice of the animal to be feasted upon at the discretion of the ordained Priest, and so long as the sacrifice is undertaken humanely and within the confines of the law. Feasts typically feature venison and ginger-spiced chicken, which are accompanied by Jeżynówka (blackberry brandy) or certain ales and wines. The guests allowed are also at the discretion of the Priest, and can include only close friends and family, or the entire congregation of a given Temple. The celebration traditionally concludes with a dance around a bonfire after sunset, and ends officially when the moon reaches its full height at midnight.
Costumes and adornments
It is customary for both the High Priest and the nominee (as well as any attending Valenian Clergy) to wear traditional white linen tunics accented with red embroidered patterns called rusznyków, as well as traditional brown wool or cotton trousers and leather boots. The High Priest officiating the ritual also typically wears face paint and a leather belt with a sheath to carry the ceremonial dagger. Certain High Priests may choose to wear religious jewelry such as rings, bracelets, and pendants/necklaces, which can only be made of wood, bone, and leather, with few exceptions.
Similar rituals
- Owiąkrewa (blood-binding) - a ritual undertaken following marriage.
- Szlachnowy (literally "new Szlachta") - a ritual religiously ennobling an individual under Valenian Royal law.
- Sanktyfikacja (sanctification) - a ritual canonizing an individual into or under the Valenian Pantheon.