Ange patyai

Since information about Anga Patai was first introduced into scientific circulation by the amateur ethnographer P.I. Melnikov-Pechersky , some researchers (in particular, I.N.Smirnov , M.E. Evseviev , etc.) later reality the existence of such a goddess in pagan Pantheon Erzyan was called into question ^[4] . So, according to the supporters of the fictitious image of Ange Patai, “the very name of the goddess Ange-patai, according to Melnikov’s interpretation, arouses doubt in word for mother goddess. In fact, the word ange is not found in any of the Mordovian dictionaries, and the word patay means not a mother or a goddess at all, as Melnikov presumably suggests, but an aunt ” ^[5] . The Finnish scientist believed the myths about Anga Patai as presented by Melnikov-Pechersky as "a curiosity" ^[6] .

Critics of the works of Melnikov-Pechersky pointed out that their author, without sufficient justification, adapted the content of Mordovian myths to a “biblical scheme”, building a clear hierarchy of gods with Cham-Paz - the creator God - headed ^[7] . On the other hand, it is noted that “materials on Mordovian mythology, in principle, do not give reason to deny the“ system ”of P. I. Melnikov, however, some of its provisions are doubtful. First of all, the name Ange-patay, which, according to Melnikov, means the mother goddess, is doubtful. This name is written from a strongly Russified Mordva, which could easily distort it. We know such examples, therefore the “system” of P. I. Melnikov needs in-depth analysis and careful verification ” ^[8] .

From the point of view of modern estimates, the existence of this goddess in the mythological picture of the Erzyans in the form in which it was described by Melnikov-Pechersky cannot be considered unequivocally proven, however, comparing the mythology of the Erzyans with the mythologies of related Finno-Ugric peoples, in which to a different degree there is a myth about the heavenly virgin - the bearer of life and the source of fertility; one can come to the conclusion that there is a similar goddess in the pagan pantheon of the Mordovians as well ^[9] .

In addition, supporters of the credibility of the myth indicate that the works of Melnikov-Pechersky cite Mordovian prayers addressed to Anga Patai, which he could hardly have invented himself ^[4] ; there is also evidence of modern folklorists about the rituals associated with the veneration of Ange Patai, who lived at the Mordovians ^[10] .

However, a number of researchers still consider the existence of such a goddess in the Erzyan mythology a controversial one: “The controversial fact of its existence, Ange Patay, differs in the ambiguity of functions, the underdevelopment of the image, perhaps this deity had only a narrow-dialect, narrow-local prevalence, which, in the end in the long run, leads to its gradual disappearance ” ^[11] .

Initially, the demiurge Cham-Paz accidentally created Shaitan from his saliva, whom he proposed to become his companion in the creation of all things. However, Shaitan was proud, inaccurately fulfilling the orders of Cham-Paz, preventing the latter from creating peace. Cham-Paz cursed Shaitan and cast him into the abyss. After that, Cham-Paz created Anga Patai as opposed to Shaitan: if Shaitan was associated with an evil principle, then Anga Patai with good. According to one version of the myth, Ange Patay appeared from an egg broken by Cham-Paz; after the appearance of Anghe, the following dialogue took place between her and Cham-Paz: ““ Who are you, girl? ”- asked Cham-Paz. "I am your daughter, my lord." ““ You are not meant to be my daughter, you will be my beloved wife, ”said Cham-Paz” ^[12] . At the same time, both Shaitan and Anghe Patay are inferior in power to Cham-Pas, however they are equal in power to each other, as a result of which they are constantly fighting.

In turn, Ange Patai produced four gods and goddesses:
Gods:

• Nishki Paz - the god of heaven, sun, fire, light, the patron saint of bees;
• Svet-Vereshke-Velen-Paz - the god of the earth, the organizer of human society;
• Nazarom-Paz - the god of winter, night, the Moon, the lord of the kingdom of the dead, determining their posthumous fate (he sends the good to the Nishka-Pas monastery, brings the evil to the Shaitan);
• Voltsy Paz - the god of the animal world, the patron saint of hunting;

Goddesses:

• Nishkende-Tevtyar - sister of Nishki Paz, patroness of beekeeping;
• Norrova-Anaruchi - the goddess of agriculture;
• Paksa-Patyay - patroness of meadows, fields, kitchen gardens;
• Veria Patyay - the goddess of forests, groves and trees.

Having given birth to these gods, Ange Patai decided to flood the whole world with good spirits in order to successfully resist the wiles of Shaitan. For this, she asked Cham-Paz for flint, and her son Nishka-Pas for flint. Hitting the flint with flint, Anga Patai began to carve sparks, turning into good spirits - özais . Seeing this, Shaitan also began to carve sparks that generate evil spirits. They are busy with this process constantly and still.

Ange Patai lives both in heaven and on earth. In heaven, the seeds of plants, the embryos of animals and the souls of unborn people are in her home: through rain, dew and lightning, Ange sheds life on Earth. In the heavenly abode of Ange, Patai resides in the image of a beautiful and young woman, however, when she goes down to the earth, she takes on the image of an old woman, who is physically very strong, under whose heel stones bend (therefore, according to Erzyan beliefs, marks on stones similar to human footprints, it is left to Anga Patai ^[13] ), or a white bird with a golden beak.

Ange Patai assigns guardian spirits to babies, helps with childbirth (why in some places her name is Bulman Patai , that is, the “midwife goddess”), protects pets and birds (especially chickens, why chicken is supposed to sacrifice her eggs) .

According to researchers, under the influence of Christianity spread among the Mordovians, the image of Ange Patai underwent changes. So, if Cham-Paz began to be perceived as God the Father , Nishke (Nishki Paz) as God the Son , then Anga Patai proper - as the Virgin Mary ^[14] , and sometimes also as the apocryphal Salome the midwife ^[15] . In one version of the myth of Anga Patai, it is said that, having given birth to eight children-gods, she remained a virgin, which also allows you to compare the image of Anga Patai with the image of the Mother of God ^[12] .

It is suggested that in the process of Christianization of the Mordovians the image of the Ange Patai was superimposed on the image of the Virgin, which incorporated most of the functions of the Ange Patai, eventually completely replacing it ^[9] .

• In the play by Velimir Khlebnikov, “Gods,” Angé Patyai is one of the current character-gods, moreover, a masculine one; according to the author’s remark, “in his mouth is an eternal hive of bees, and he sucks his honeyed mustache, gray-haired” ^[16] .
• One of the paintings of the artist I. S. Goryushkin-Sorokopudov , written in 1909, is called "Christmas Prayer at the Pagan Mordovians to the Goddess Ange-Patai" and depicts the corresponding scene ^[17] .
• Ange Patai is one of the characters in the poetic Mordovian epos “ Mastorava ” composed by Alexander Sharonov ^[18] .

• Melnikov P.I. Chapters III-V // Essays of the Mordovians . - Russian Bulletin . - M .: At the University Printing House (Katkov and K), 1867, September. - T. 71. - S. 217-258. - 708 p.
• Melnikov P.I. Chapter VI // Essays of the Mordovians . - Russian Bulletin . - M .: At the University Printing House (Katkov and Co.), 1867, October. - T. 71 .-- S. 397-430. - 708 p.