ABSTRACT
The importance of pagan traditions in the process of Christianization of Russia remains largely unstudied in historical science. a Nor is the question as such even brought up, since it is customary to believe that Christianity, having replaced paganism, could not become established with the help of pagan means and methods, which it had repudiated. Orthodox theologians draw a sharp line between Eastern Slavic paganism and Christianity. However, a careful analysis of the sources clearly points to pagan elements in the process of institution of Christianity in the old Russian society.
