Radogost (a more faithful version of Radegast or Radogast) is the ancient Slavic god of hospitality, fertility, harvest and trade. In fact, he was one of the incarnations of Svetovit. He was especially revered among the West Slavic tribes (in particular, among the tribal union of the vigorous).
For the first time, the German chronicler Titmar of Merseburg wrote about Radogost. Then information about this god appears from Adam of Bremen, as well as from the famous Helmold from Holstein in his "Slavic Chronicles". However, we do not find a detailed description of the cult of Radogost by any of the ancient Western researchers.
It is known that Radogost appeared to our ancestors as a young, half-naked man with an eagle on his head, a bull's head in his left hand and an ax (sometimes a spear) in his right. Some images add a shock of red hair to Radogost, a rather voluminous beard and military attributes. This fact speaks in favor of the version that this god was also revered by warriors and had a fairly wide range of functions, affecting by no means only a peaceful life and being.
At the same time, it is obvious that Radogost was a benevolent god who personified good intentions. He patronized trade and diplomatic agreements, and was also revered as a god capable of beneficially influencing the harvest. It is also likely that the name Radogost comes from the phrase "welcome guests." Based on this version, we can talk about another function of Radogost, which, however, fits well into the concept that our distant ancestors saw him as an allegory of kindness and openness.
Thus, it is logical to assume that Radogost is the apotheosis of honest and trusting relationships, which, according to our ancestors, are basic concepts in any area of human life. Unfortunately, at present this cultural concept has been completely lost by us.
It is also worth mentioning the legendary temple of Radogost, which was located in the Slavic fortress city Retre, the location of which is still a mystery (presumably somewhere in the mouth of the Oder). If we take the work of the chronicler Helmold von Boseau as a basis, then we can recreate a fairly detailed description of this city. And if we also take into account the works of Titmar of Merzerburg, then with a high degree of certainty it can be argued that Retra was not a fortress city, it was a fortress temple. Titmar writes that "there was nothing in the city except a skillfully constructed temple." Obviously, such a structure does not fit at all with the concept of "city".
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Apparently, the temple of Radogost (or, as Titmar calls it, Ridegosta) was located on an island in the middle of a deep lake. It was surrounded by a high wooden fortress wall (possibly a palisade) and had nine gates, but a wooden bridge led only to one of them. Behind the wall, in the middle of the open space, there was a single structure - a huge wooden domed building that served as the temple itself. The horns of various animals served as the foundation for the building, and its walls were adorned with skillful carvings with characteristic solar symbols and stylized faces of the gods. Inside the temple, in front of the sacrificial fire, on which the thefts were brought, were the idols of the gods (how many are not known exactly), among which the idol of Radogost was considered the main one. All the idols were dressed in armor and decorated with carvings showing their distinctive features and,maybe names. The idol of Radogost, according to Titmar, consisted of pure gold and was located on a bed of purple. Retra was considered an exceptional religious complex. Only the Supreme Magi had the right to enter it and with extremely important questions. It was believed that fortune-telling inside the temple was carried out with the help of a horse. The animal was carried under two spears stuck in the ground, and somehow the answer of the gods was interpreted in some way. However, some researchers are inclined to believe that the mention of this rite, which is present in Titmar, is false. Titmar was a Christian and probably considered it his duty to defame the representatives of such a hated culture, which he mistakenly (or out of ignorance) calls idolatry. Retra was considered an exceptional religious complex. Only the Supreme Magi had the right to enter it and with extremely important questions. It was believed that fortune-telling inside the temple was carried out with the help of a horse. The animal was carried under two spears stuck in the ground, and somehow the answer of the gods was interpreted in some way. However, some researchers are inclined to believe that the mention of this rite, which is present in Titmar, is false. Titmar was a Christian and probably considered it his duty to defame the representatives of such a hated culture, which he mistakenly (or out of ignorance) calls idolatry. Retra was considered an exceptional religious complex. Only the Supreme Magi had the right to enter it and with extremely important questions. It was believed that fortune telling inside the temple was done with the help of a horse. The animal was carried under two spears stuck in the ground, and somehow the answer of the gods was interpreted in some way. However, some researchers are inclined to believe that the mention of this rite, which is present in Titmar, is false. Titmar was a Christian and probably considered it his duty to defame the representatives of such a hated culture, which he mistakenly (or out of ignorance) calls idolatry. The animal was carried under two spears stuck in the ground, and somehow the answer of the gods was interpreted in some way. However, some researchers are inclined to believe that the mention of this rite, which is present in Titmar, is false. Titmar was a Christian and probably considered it his duty to defame the representatives of such a hated culture, which he mistakenly (or out of ignorance) calls idolatry. The animal was carried under two spears stuck in the ground, and somehow the answer of the gods was interpreted in some way. However, some researchers are inclined to believe that the mention of this rite, which is present in Titmar, is false. Titmar was a Christian and probably considered it his duty to defame the representatives of such a hated culture, which he mistakenly (or out of ignorance) calls idolatry.
It is also believed that the temples of Radogostu could have stood in Arkona, Arkaim and Radogoshche - the three largest religious centers of the ancient Slavs. All these cities (except for Radogoscha) under certain circumstances.