From February 24 to March 2, Russia celebrates Maslenitsa , one of the main Russian holidays dedicated to the arrival of spring. In the calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church, the week before the beginning of Lent is called Cheese Week, because during these days it is allowed to eat dairy food, but meat products are excluded from the meal. Traditionally Pancake Week was divided into two parts - narrow and wide. At the same time, each day had its own name and meaning. More about what folk customs and traditions of celebrating Pancake Week existed in Russia, tell "Izvestia".
Monday, February 24, 2025 - Meeting
The first day of the narrow Pancake Day (from Monday to Wednesday) was called the meeting. According to tradition, in the morning on this day the father-in-law and mother-in-law sent the daughter-in-law to her father and mother, and in the evening they themselves came to the matchmakers to visit. By this day were completed snow mountains, swings and balagans - wooden structures for theatrical and circus performances.
Housekeepers on this day began to bake pancakes, the first of which was always given to the poor to memorialize deceased relatives and loved ones. From straw, old clothes and other improvised materials an effigy of Pancake Day was built - a symbol of winter, which was put on a stake and driven in a sleigh through the streets, showing for the last time its possessions, which should go at the disposal of the beauty of spring.
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 - Zaigryshi
The second day of Shrovetide week was completely devoted to matchmaking. Young people gathered on the main square for festivities to socialize and look for brides and grooms.
During the Great Lent following Pancake week it was forbidden to play weddings. But after it, on Red Mountain - the first Sunday after Easter- the ban was lifted. Young people who found a couple during the March flirtations, could get married.
It was also customary to call relatives and friends for a festive dinner. In all houses began to call Shrovetide: "We have snowy mountains ready and pancakes baked - please welcome!" Hostesses welcomed guests with a wide feast with pancakes with different fillings. Each guest was supposed to eat at least three pancakes. On this day, it was believed that if the table was rich and the guests came a lot, the house would be visited by great luck.
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - Lakomka, or the Fast Wednesday
In the middle of Shrovetide week my son-in-law went to visit his mother-in-law for pancakes. And not only him - his friends and relatives came to eat his mother-in-law's pancakes, each of whom was also supposed to be fed with pancakes, gingerbread and porridge. The mother-in-law had to take special care of her son-in-law on this day. In this regard, there was even an unusual rite. The mother-in-law smeared oil on her son-in-law's head, thus "buttering" him up so that he would not offend or quarrel with her daughter. It was believed that the kinder and more attentive the mother-in-law was to her son-in-law on this day, the better relations her daughter would have with her new family.
Thursday, February 27, 2025 - Razgulyai, or Wide Thursday
From Thursday began a wide Shrovetide. All work on the house stopped, to do household work in the coming days was considered a bad omen, so people left all their affairs and went outside to have fun.
The whole family went to the pre-built snow towns, on the central squares of towns, villages and villages, arranged various entertainment events. Among them were fist fights, taking a snow town, riding on horses and in carts, competitions for agility and endurance, snowball games, chants and round dances, making bonfires and ritual jumping over the fire.
It was believed that those who ignore the general fun, will be overtaken by sorrows and bad luck. That's why from morning till evening Broad Thursday was spent noisily and cheerfully.
Friday, February 28, 2025 - Mother-in-law's Vespers
On this day the son-in-law was supposed to receive his mother-in-law with all honors. The son-in-law's wife's daughter baked pancakes for her mother. The mother-in-law brought her friends with her to boast to them about her economic and caring son-in-law. At the festive table mother-in-law also told the master and mistress of the house about the secrets of a happy family life and gave useful advice on home improvement and upbringing of children.
Saturday, March 1, 2025 - Zolovkin's Sitting
On the sixth day of Shrovetide, daughters-in-law traditionally paid attention to their sisters-in-law - sisters and relatives of their husbands. The girls gathered together to eat pancakes and socialize. In addition to sisters-in-law, friends and relatives were invited to visit. According to a good tradition, all those who came were given some small gifts - gingerbread, hairpins, mirrors and other nice memorabilia.
Sunday, March 2, 2025 - Seeing off, or Forgiveness Sunday
The most important day of the whole Shrovetide week, or Cheese Week, is the Winter's Wake. On Forgiveness Sunday was the preparation for the Great Lent. All the festive food prepared during the week had to be eaten. The leftovers were given to beggars or burned, as it was considered bad luck to throw away food or let it go to waste.
On this day believers asked forgiveness from each other, and in response they heard: "God will forgive, and I forgive. It was customary to remember the dead and visit cemeteries. In the afternoon they went to the bathhouse, and in the evening they gathered in the square to solemnly burn an effigy of Pancake Day.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
