Celebrated after the summer solstice on 6 July, Ivana Kupala refers to the god of the fruits of the earth.
Is it possible for those who regard the popes' claim to be the representatives of God on earth as wrong, or simply nonsensical, to view with some respect the papacy of John Paul, and the church he remoulded?
In a sense he has separated the quasi-mystical divine function of God's representative on Earth from the very down-to-earth job of administering the world's oldest international organisation, one which has survived two millennia of schisms, would-be reformers and wars, as well as territorial, family and political ambitions.
Like the Jews, the Muslims came to see the Rock as a meeting point between God and Man, the centre of the earth, the origin of all fertility.
We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and "slipped the surly bonds of earth" to touch the face of God.
For there is none worthy of the name but God, whom heaven, earth, and sea obey.
Their role was spiritual or supernatural -- to mediate between the cosmological forces: the sky, the earth and the world, each of which is represented by a god.
There were thousands of people from all over the world circumambulating this sacred structure at the center of the Earth, all there for a common purpose of praising God, yet each engaged in private reflection oblivious of any other.
Greek myth held that Zeus had defeated Kronos in a wrestling match for possession of the earth, so Olympic competition, held close to the god's massive temple, was seen as a sacred act or privilege, available only to a select few.
WSJ: London Olympics 2012: For Disgraced Athletes, the Wrath of Zeus
Druidry's followers are not restricted to one god or creator, but worship the spirit they believe inhabits the earth and forces of nature such as thunder.
BBC: Druidry to be classed as religion by Charity Commission
They are actually trying to avoid the Earth's demise, instead of selling out our future in the hope that God will one day sort things out.
Jesus brought the light of God's love to humanity in many different and powerful ways when He walked this earth, and through His Spirit He still does this today working through people who care.
I'm going to fight to make sure every American has every reason to thank God, as I thank him, that I'm an American, a proud citizen of the greatest country on Earth.
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