This was a god worshiped by all Slavs. He has Indo-European roots. Per-, perk-, or perg- were Indo-European for 'to strike'. Since Perun is the god of thunder, this reflects their ideas of what causes thunder. He usually had open temples in sacred groves and not always with an idol. Gimbutas says he was probably "a vigorous man with a copper beard, riding in a chariot drawn by a he-goat and holding in one hand an axe or hammer, which he throws at bad people and evil spirits, and which afterwards returns to his hand. The axe, a fetish known among European peoples since Neolithic times, was subsequently identified with the thunderbolt." It seems to me that Thor and Perun had the same roots. Perun often battled the forces of death and barrenness. A person or tree was said to be filled with health-giving powers, if they survive being struck by lightning. Big trees, the oak in particular, were sacred to the thunder god. Sacrifices (most often the cock, but occasionally the bull, bear, or he-goat) were subsequently eaten communally to strengthen the whole group. After christianization, Perun's character was joined with St. Elias.