Sakralität und Mobilität im Kaukasus und Südosteuropa

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The book explores diverse concepts and practices of sacrality through a transregional lens, focusing on the Caucasus and Southeast Europe. Both regions showcase significant ethno-denominational diversity, marked by a re-sacralization trend in the post-socialist era. The authors view sacralization as a process of ascription and presentation influenced by mobility, where sacred sites and spiritual practices in multi-ethnic societies create dynamic meeting spaces. The research highlights various forms of pilgrimage—pagan, postmodern, Christian, and Islamic—as well as the transfer of sacred relics, urban veneration of saints, and the sacralization of landscapes through travel. These elements are crucial for shaping local and regional identities in both regions. The contributions, while not exhaustive, provide insights into sacralization processes and the role of mobility in post-socialist societies. They also examine the actors that influence and mobilize both 'large-scale' and 'small-scale' sacred spaces in these transitional areas. Notably, despite political challenges, 'small-scale' sacred spaces appear to retain continuity. This work stems from a lecture series at Friedrich Schiller University Jena (2014–2015) and is enriched by findings from a Volkswagen Foundation-sponsored research project (2013–2016) on the transformation of sacred spaces in the Caucasus.