A prayer-gift table is seen during a mass prayer of followers of the Mari native religion in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674368

A kart (Mari pagan priest) holds candles during a mass prayer in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674364

Karts (Mari pagan priests) hold candles during a mass prayer in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674362

A woman, a follower of the Mari native religion, attends a mass prayer in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674358

A bread and candles are seen at the prayer-gift table during a mass prayer of followers of the Mari native religion in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674355

A woman, a follower of the Mari native religion, attends a mass prayer in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674351

A prayer-gift table is seen during a mass prayer of followers of the Mari native religion in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674349

An old woman, a follower of the Mari native religion, attends a mass prayer in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674345

Followers of the Mari native religion attend a mass prayer in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674343

Followers of the Mari native religion arrive at a mass prayer in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674342

Followers of the Mari native religion attend a mass prayer in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674338

Followers of the Mari native religion attend a mass prayer in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674336

Followers of the Mari native religion attend a mass prayer in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674334

Karts (Mari pagan priests) attend a mass prayer of followers of the Mari native religion in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674328

A kart (Mari pagan priest) speacks during a mass prayer of followers of the Mari native religion in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674323

Bread is pictured during a mass prayer of followers of the Mari native religion in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674318

A candle lights during a mass prayer of followers of the Mari native religion in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674315

Followers of the Mari native religion attend a mass prayer in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674310

A woman, a follower of the Mari native religion, speaks to a kart (Mari pagan priest) during a mass prayer in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674299

A kart (Mari pagan priest) walks during a mass prayer in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674286

A woman, a follower of the Mari native religion, speaks to a kart (Mari pagan priest) during a mass prayer in a sacred grove at the Nur-Sola village, Russia's Mari El republic, October 21, 2018. The Mari people have traditionally lived along the Volga and Kama rivers in Russia, their ethnic religion is based on the worship of the forces of nature, which man must honour and respect.

21.10.2018#5674281