Rundēni parish
 Village of Rundēni |
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| Country: | Latvia |
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| Region: | Latgale |
| District: | Ludza District |
| Administrative centre: | Rundēni |
| Status: | from 1933 |
| Population: | 620 (2007) |
| Location: | 56°16′36.3″N 27°49′34.7″E / 56.276750°N 27.826306°E |
Rundēni parish (Latvian: Rundēnu pagasts) is located in a southwest of Ludza District in Latvia, borders on the Pildas, Nirzas, Lauderu and Istras parishes (all: Ludza District), the Škaunes and Ezernieku parishes (both: Krāslava District) and the Kaunatas parish (Rezekne District). Distances: from parish centre - village of Rundēni up to District centre - Ludza is 33 km, up to the Capital of Latvia - Riga - 315 km.
Documentary certificates of the construction of church were not kept. It is known, that in 1783 on this place stood Uniat (Greek Catholic Church) Church's temple. The precursor of present church has been constructed of clay and juniper branches in 1836, On this place in 1862 there has been begun construction of a new building of the church, ended in 1866. The church is 18 metres long, 9 metres wide and 15 metres tall. In the 19th century Vertulova's orthodox congregation was allocated 50 hectares of the land. However, in 1899-1901 about 300 parishioners, in searches of the best share, have moved to Siberia. Approximately 100 metres from the church is the Vertulova's modern orthodox cemetery, and 350 meters away, Vertulova's medieval cemetery, which is an archaeological monument of the culture, protected by the state.
In Rundēni parish there are two Orthodox Old Believers’ Church Chapels - in Bližņeva (operating) and in Bori.
Territory of Rundēni parish is rich with stones. Near to Rundēni, in village of Kazici - on coast of inflow of Saryanka River (which runs into Daugava), there is granite Bull-stone. It is the big, ancient cult stone of the Baltic tribes. 5,3 metres at length, 3,5 metres at width and 1,8 metres in height. There is an assumption that the Bull-stone served for a designation of ancient border. On a stone are carved two crosses, and also a sign in the form of a horseshoe, as with two horns. This sign is from afar similar to a head of a deer or the bull – from here and the name the Bull-stone. In the bottom of a stone near the ground is carved a diamond-shaped sign, whose value is not clear. If to look closely, separate letters on a stone are visible. With an effort we can read a name Elizar. One part of stone as though is undermined.
Older persons speak, that if to touch a stone - that it takes away all illnesses and ailments, and gives force and energy.
There are various legends about the Bull-stone. One of them speaks that huge treasures were hidden under a stone. "Once upon a time poor smith Elizar has heard, that a treasures are hidden under a stone. He has decided to take them. Has taken a hammer, an axe and a spade and has gone to extract a treasures. When he began to dig under a stone, strong hurricane has suddenly begun. Trees have caved in up to the ground. Not clearly whence there appeared a bull and has attacked on Elizar. Elizar has not become puzzled and has struck the bull on horns. One horn has fallen. And hurricane has suddenly stopped at a same minute. The bull has disappeared. Elizar has lifted a horn, which was from pure gold. Since then Elizar became rich."
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Wikipedia