Svyatogor

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For other uses, see Svyatogor (disambiguation).

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Svyatogor (Russian: Святого́р) is the name of a Russian mythical bogatyr (knight/hero) from bylinas. His name is a derivation from the words "sacred mountain." Svyatogor's tale, Ilya Muromets and Svyatogor, is a part of the Ilya Muromets cycle.

After becoming a bogatyr of knyaz Vladimir the Beautiful Sun (Владимир Красное Солнышко, Vladimir Krasnoye Solnyshko), Ilya rides off to challenge Svyatogor, despite being forewarned by pilgrims who miraculously healed him not to do so. On the road, Ilya Muromets sees a giant asleep on a giant horse. Ilya strikes him three times with his mace, with the only result that the giant, still asleep, grabs and puts Ilya into his pocket. Eventually the giant awakes, Ilya introduces himself and learns that the giant is Svyatogor, and they become friends and journey together. They arrive at a giant stone coffin and both have a premonition that it is for Svyatogor. Ilya manages to lay down in the coffin first, but it appears too large for him, but it fits Svyatogor perfectly. When Svyatogor closes the lid, it seals to the coffin. Before the coffin sealed completely, Svyatogor passes part of his strength to Ilya through his breath.