Long ago there lived a Kabardian man named Khetag, and he was a Christian, as were the people of his village. But in time a new religion — Islam — came to the region, and Khetag became the last Christian among his kinsmen. They urged him for a long time to accept Islam, and when he firmly refused, they decided to kill him.
Khetag fled, but his pursuers were closing in. Then from a nearby forest a voice called out: “This way, Khetag, come quickly — we will hide you!” It was the trees calling to him. But he could not reach the forest in time — his enemies were already too close. So he cried out: “Let the forest itself come to Khetag!” And at once he was surrounded by an impenetrable thicket, and his pursuers were unable to find him and returned home in frustration.
In the grove, Khetag was visited by Uastyrdzhi — an old man on a winged horse, the Ossetian Saint George. He told Khetag that his salvation was a reward for his steadfast faith and ordered him to remain in the forest for a whole year, so that his vengeful relatives would forget him. Khetag obeyed, and after a year he went to the village of Nar, where he became the founder of the Khetagurov family line.
So tells this Ossetian legend, explaining the origin of the sacred grove near the village of Suadag in the Alagir District of North Ossetia — the Grove of Khetag. It is a large tract of ancient deciduous forest, about 13 hectares, almost perfectly round in shape. Many entrances lead inside; in different parts of the grove stand tables — some even made of stone — and there are cylindrical metal collection vessels for offerings. Ribbons hang from the trees, and images of the flying Uastyrdzhi are displayed, as locals believe this place to be his home.
According to the universal rules associated with sacred groves, any kind of economic activity is forbidden here, and nothing may be taken out — it is believed that offenders will be punished. In the early 20th century, women were forbidden to enter the grove, but during the Great Patriotic War they came here to pray for the men at the front, and since then the ban has disappeared.
Every year, on the second Sunday of July, many people gather here. They drink homemade beer and eat homemade pies, remembering the legendary event — the salvation of Khetag.
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