Despite the fact that today Maslenitsa is one of the favorite holidays of Orthodox Christians, its traditions date back to the times of ancient paganism. Shrovetide rituals symbolize the end of the winter period and the arrival of spring, which is why it is customary to celebrate the holiday at the junction of the two seasons.
The colloquial name "Shrovetide" itself (officially the holiday is usually called "Cheese Week") is associated with food that must have been consumed a week before Lent, first of all, butter and a wide variety of dairy products. Pancakes, so beloved by our people, are a traditional dish, without which not a single Maslenitsa celebration usually goes.
Changeable holiday
The date of the holiday changes from year to year and is timed to coincide with the beginning of Lent, 49 days before Easter. Today it is customary to celebrate Shrovetide for a week, while in pre-Christian times the holiday lasted as many as 14 days, the middle of which was the day of the vernal equinox. The Orthodox Church has shortened such a long period, however, the holiday has not been banned, tying it to traditional Christian rituals.
In 2014, Maslenitsa fell on February 24, and in 2015 it will fall on 16 and will last until 02.22.2015.
Maslenitsa week
Not everyone knows that each of the seven days of Shrovetide is very symbolic and even has its own popular name. The first half of the week comes the Narrow Shrovetide, which allows all kinds of work, the second half, from Thursday to Sunday, the Wide Shrovetide, which strictly prohibits economic activities.
Monday has long been called "meeting", it is from this day that it is customary to determine the composition of the guests of the main celebration and start baking pancakes, Tuesday is called "flirting".
In a flirtation, it was customary to conduct matchmaking and bridesmaids. Wednesday is a "gourmet" when any mother-in-law is obliged to invite her son-in-law to the pancakes baked by her. Thursday is the turning point of Maslenitsa, "revelry", when any person should throw out negative energy, indulge in pleasures, festivities, noisy celebrations.
Friday has a very symbolic name "mother-in-law party", it was on this day that the son-in-law had to take a step back and show his mother-in-law his respectful attitude. Saturday is traditionally considered the day of "zalovki gatherings", when the newly made bride is obliged to warmly receive the groom's relatives.
Forgiveness Sunday is the final chord of Shrovetide, its climax. On this day, any Christian should receive some kind of divine forgiveness and remission of sins and move on to fasting with a pure soul. It is on Sunday that the Orthodox ask each other for sincere forgiveness and burn the effigy of the outgoing winter, Marena, they celebrate the entry into a new stage of their life, the spring, which will bring physical and emotional renewal.
