Instead of Introduction: How Old Is Sacredness?
Instead of Introduction: How Old Is Sacredness?

Summary/Abstract: The session brought together fourteen scholars from various countries to discuss the usage of history in religions. Geographically discussions focused on Central and Eastern Europe and Russia and formed a well-communicating group of presentations. The discussed topics varied, ranging from the general frameworks of modern religious and spiritual movements to specific discussions of some phenomena. Several years later part of the presentations from the session “History matters” have found their way to this journal. Unfortunately, not all the presentations in the session resulted in an article in this issue for various reasons – some of the articles had already been published elsewhere, others remained as preliminary presentations. In addition to Ceri Houlbrook, Kurmo Konsa, Atko Remmel and Tõnno Jonuks, and Siarhei Anoshka from the session, this issue also includes Eda Kalmre’s article about apparent death and Alise Donnere’s study on interpreting Bodhisattva Jizō in Japanese temples, both following the same approach as the conference session. All the authors have kept the role of the concept of history in different religious or spiritual contexts under careful observation, demonstrating, either consciously or unconsciously, its central position in the formation of claims and arguments.

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