March 3 — the beginning of Lent: traditions, what can and cannot be done on Clean Monday

The first day of Lent – 2025

Lent is a difficult but joyful time for Christians. During this period, believers remember how Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days and prepare for the main Orthodox holiday, the Resurrection of Christ.

No wonder the first day of prayer is especially strict. Many believers completely refuse to eat, consuming only water. Such a prescription works so that nothing earthly distracts from spiritual purification.

Relief is given to young children, pregnant women and people who cannot keep strict fasting for health reasons. The fast will last until April 19, after which the Orthodox will celebrate Easter.

What can and cannot be done on Clean Monday

The first day of Lent is popularly known as Clean Monday. This non-ecclesiastical name was fixed due to the fact that in the old days in Russia it was the custom to clean the house of the "spirit of Maslenitsa", which ended the day before.

The peasants threw out old things from their houses, cleaned their homes and went to the bathhouse to enter Lent clean spiritually and physically.

If the first Thanksgiving day fell on March 3, as this year, then lean buns were baked in the houses in honor of the little bunting bird with bright lemon-yellow plumage, which was believed to "lead the spring." Friends and relatives were treated to pastries. It was forbidden to throw the crumbs off the table, they should have been fed to the birds.

In the morning, believers traditionally attend church services. Throughout the entire fast, one should pray diligently and follow a certain diet, excluding meat, fish, eggs, milk, and products based on them from the daily diet.

Folk signs for March 3

Many popular beliefs and superstitions are associated with the day of March 3, which marks the beginning of Lent. For example, our ancestors did not wear dark-colored clothes on this day. It was believed that she would bring troubles and misfortunes. The outfits had to be yellow, which promises good luck in business.

It was bad luck to borrow bread or salt. According to beliefs, this leads to a loss of well-being and prosperity. It was also forbidden to carry out household repairs, as repaired items would not last long.

The weather was determined by the signs of the day. So, icicles hanging from the roofs portend that spring will not come soon. If the trees crackle, it leads to frost, and if a lot of snow fell on March 3, it leads to a rich harvest.

Earlier, Izvestia reported, when is Easter celebrated in 2025.