Religiniai pasakojimai ir legendos apie Barborą Umiastauskaitę-Žagarietę

Abstract

The article analyzes religious stories and legends about the 17th century martyr Barbora Žagarietė (Umiastauskaitė). The work is based on the previous sources and on the field investigation materials gathered by a group of researchers in 2006–2007 in the northern Lithuania and in Duobele district of Latvia. The earliest sources relate of the miracles which were received with intercession of Barbora Žagarietė since the 18th century. The modern religious stories and legends testify to a national range worship of Barbora’s personality until nowadays. Barbora Žagarietė, representing the Catholic culture of Semigallia, is called the Saint of Žagarė, Saint Barbora, Saint Virgin. Religious stories and legends could be regarded as historical religious documents reflecting the folk worldviews. Modern religious stories and legends manifest the simple, intimate relationship between the informants and Barbora Žagarietė, reflecting, interpreting and evaluating an individual religious experience.[...]