THE SPECIFICITY AND THE CONTENT OF THE KEY CONCEPTS OF THE OSSETIAN RELIGIOUS DISCOURSE

The article discusses the features of the content of the basic concepts in the Ossetian religious picture of the world, the key concepts of the Ossetian religious discourse. Stressing the originality of the Ossetian religious discourse, the author describes the moral concepts operating in the Ossetian beliefs. For the first time, the analysis by which the hierarchy between «zæd» and «dawæg» is conducted. The content and specificity of their conceptualization are revealed. Some of the views of researchers on the concepts under study are considered. Basing on the etymology of the studied concepts and the language material, the author defines the concepts of “zæd” and dawæg/dwag/bardwag”. The hierarchy of the Ossetian «heavenly power» is given. As a leading research method used conceptualistic analysis, which allowed to introduce the concepts studied as multilevel and multidimensional semantic units. The author states that the main expression of reverence to a higher power is the Ossetians prayer-feast kwyvd. It is suggested that the Ossetian Pantheon of the cult of saints are the patrons of the heavenly angels and earth spirits