svyat
Svjat is a transliteration of a Slavic root meaning holy or sacred. In several Slavic languages the same semantic core appears in linguistic forms that denote sanctity, sacredness, or saintly status. While svyat itself is not a stand-alone concept in English, it functions as a common element in religious vocabulary and in the formation of names and phrases across languages such as Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, and related languages.
The element is generally traced to a Proto-Slavic root meaning sacred or holy. Cognates appear in various
In religious and liturgical contexts, the svyat-root features prominently in words describing saints, holy places, days,
Related English terms include Saint and Holy, while Slavic cognates include forms equivalent to “święty” (Polish), “святий”