XI Международная студенческая научная конференция Студенческий научный форум - 2019

Ecuador is considered one of the most beautiful South American countries, which is called «the Country of eternal spring and flowering plants». It is the smallest country in the Andes with well-preserved colonial architecture, bright and peculiar culture, delightful volcanic landscapes and lush tropical forests.

Religion in Ecuador is based on Roman Catholic beliefs, so 95% of the population are Catholics, 1%-Protestants, 4% - all other world religions. Very small percentages are Eastern Orthodox religions, Muslims and Buddhists. Recently, more and more followers began to have the Church of Jesus Christ and at the moment there are about 200 000 participants. A large number of Catholics is very conditional, because in many settlements common local beliefs.

Most festivals and celebrations in the country are based on religious customs. As a rule, all these activities are marked with the use of colorful and unique attributes.

All Ecuadorian Indians throughout the history of the country sooner or later adopted Christianity, and the pre-Columbian religion in Ecuador completely died, but many Indian peoples still believe that space and nature are cyclical and one cycle is 500 years. So now, 500 years after the Spanish invasion, the Indians know that a new period is beginning. The period when everything has to go back to its place. Proof of this worldview is the growing influence of the Indian movement in Ecuadorian society.

Many churches in the country are symbols of historical and cultural heritage. Some of the churches have preserved household items and various crafts and ornaments of the colonial era, for example, in Guayaquil is a Museum of Nahim Issyas, which collected a huge number of religious art.

Ecuadorians have inherited a large number of rites and traditions since the time of Indian ancestors. Clergymen usually have unquestionable authority among the local population, and therefore often act as mediators and justices of the peace in numerous controversial issues. To this day, marriages without a wedding are unthinkable in the Church, although they are quite legal, and the traditional Sunday service is still the main event in the life of society.

The capital of Ecuador is one of the most religious centers in the country. The main confirmation of this – numerous buildings and structures in the form of churches, temples and chapels.

There are more than 50 churches and 12 monasteries in Quito. Not far from Independence Square is the Church Of La Merced, amazing with its exquisite interior and historical frescoes. Next To La Merced is a convent. In the same area is the most beautiful and elegant Church of the country – La compagna, built by the Jesuits from 1605 to 1765. A little further you can find the Church of San Augustine, famous for the fact that it was signed the Declaration of independence of Ecuador.

Rituals and Holy places

Ecuadorians have inherited a large number of rites and traditions since the time of Indian ancestors. Clergymen usually have unquestionable authority among the local population, and therefore often act as mediators and justices of the peace in numerous controversial issues.

To this day, marriages without a wedding are unthinkable in the Church, although they are quite legal, and the traditional Sunday service is still the main event in the life of society. The capital of Ecuador is one of the most religious centers in the country.

The main confirmation of this – numerous buildings and structures in the form of churches, temples and chapels. There are more than 50 churches and 12 monasteries in Quito. Not far from Independence Square is the Church Of La Merced, amazing with its exquisite interior and historical frescoes. Next To La Merced is a convent.

In the same area is the most beautiful and elegant Church of the country – La compagna, built by the Jesuits from 1605 to 1765. A little further you can find the Church of San Augustine, famous for the fact that it was signed the Declaration of independence of Ecuador.

Death and life after death

About death in Ecuador say: «I will leave when my time comes», and this phrase is accompanied by the statement: «No one knows when my time will come, when I will have to leave». Some Ecuadorians say, «I'll leave when God calls me». But some people believe that even God does not know how long we will stay on this earth.

About death it is also said that the angels will be down a soul from heaven or the demons from hell came to claim the soul of the deceased. Ideas about the afterlife are very different. Christians believe that the soul goes either to heaven or to hell.

African Americans believe that the soul falls into purgatory, where they argue whether to return to earth or not. Indigenous peoples (Indians) have many concepts of the movement of the soul after death, these ideas are similar to pagan. In the Sierra and the coast, all saints ' Day is celebrated in late October or early November. On this day people gather in cemeteries, communicate with the souls of the dead.

Religion and state

The Constitution guarantees citizens freedom of conscience and equality regardless of their religion (article 11). There is no state or official religion.

Traditionally, the Roman Catholic Church has a strong influence in Ecuador. In colonial times, it held a privileged position among other institutions and served as an instrument of colonial rule. The rule of conservative President Gabriel Garcia Moreno, who achieved the proclamation of Ecuador as the «Republic of the sacred heart of Jesus», some historians characterize as a theocratic dictatorship. The Church was an ally of the conservatives and therefore became the object of criticism and all kinds of restrictions (up to the deprivation of privileges and property) on the part of liberals.

References:

Атлас мира: Максимально подробная информация / Руководители проекта: А. Н. Бушнев, А. П. Притворов. — Москва: АСТ, 2017. — С. 86. — 96 с.

Поспелов Е. М. Географические названия мира. Топонимический словарь / отв. ред. Р. А. Агеева. — 2-е изд., стереотип. — М.: Русские словари, Астрель, АСТ, 2002. — 512 с.

Эквадор / Религия и государство, роль религии в политике / Политический атлас современности URL: http://www.hyno.ru/tom3/1284.html