Maslenitsa

Maslenitsa in Belgorod 2015 28

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Девушка с кокошником

SurikovSnowFortress

Соломаткин Масленица 1878

Крыжановский Прощеный-день

Maslenitsa is a traditional Slavic holiday celebrated during the last week before Great Lent—the eighth week before Eastern Orthodox Pascha (Easter). Often referred to as "Butter Week," "Pancake week," or "Cheesefare Week," Maslenitsa has its origins in both pagan and Christian traditions and marks the transition from winter to spring. It is comparable to the Western Christian Carnival, with both events culminating before the fasting season of Lent.

Origins and History

The roots of Maslenitsa are found in both the pagan past of the Slavic peoples and the Christian traditions adopted later. In pagan times, it was a sun festival, celebrating the imminent end of winter and the rebirth of new life and fertility. With the advent of Christianity in the region, the holiday was adapted to fit the Christian calendar, serving as the last week of dairy and meat consumption before the strict fasting of Lent begins.

Traditions and Customs

Maslenitsa is characterized by its festive mood and abundance of food, particularly pancakes. Pancakes, or blini, made from butter, eggs, and milk, symbolize the sun with their round, golden appearance. They are traditionally served with honey, caviar, fresh cream, and butter, which are all ingredients forbidden during Lent.

The week of Maslenitsa includes a wide range of activities:

• Monday: The welcoming of “Lady Maslenitsa”. A straw effigy symbolizing winter is dressed and paraded around the village.
• Tuesday: Young men search for a fiancée to marry after Lent.
• Wednesday: Sons-in-law visit their mothers-in-law who prepare pancakes for them.
• Thursday: A day of outdoor activities, including sledding, horse sleigh rides, and snowball fights.
• Friday: Sons-in-law invite their mothers-in-law for dinner.
• Saturday: A gathering of sisters-in-law to reconcile any disputes.
• Sunday: The culmination of Maslenitsa, known as "Forgiveness Sunday," when people ask each other for forgiveness to enter Lent with a clean slate. The straw effigy of Lady Maslenitsa is also burned on this day as a symbol of the departure of winter.

Cultural Significance

Maslenitsa is not only a festive week of eating and activities but also carries a deeper cultural and spiritual meaning. It is a time for reconciliation, saying goodbye to winter, and preparing both physically and spiritually for Lent. The burning of the Lady Maslenitsa effigy symbolizes the destruction of evil and misfortune and the hope for a fresh start and renewal.

Modern Celebrations

Today, Maslenitsa is celebrated in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and other countries with a significant Orthodox Christian population. It has seen a revival in recent years as a cultural event that brings people together, regardless of religious affiliation, to enjoy traditional foods, games, and performances.

See Also

• Slavic mythology
• Russian culture
• Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar