Масленица (Maslenitsa)
(28/02 - 6/03 - 2011)
Cheese, or a carnival week is a preparatory week of the Fasting in the Christian society. It is dedicated to one purpose - reconciliation with others, forgiveness of injuries and the preparation for repentance towards the God. Butter week is a colloquial name of the last week before Fasting. During this time is prohibited to eat meat, but you can eat fish and dairy products. During this week you are free from the one day fasting, that you normally do every week on Wednesday and Friday.
In Russia, Maslenitsa was always a joyous celebration. In Ukraine for example was nothing like this, people have different traditions and well, we have to respect them. But even without any type of the celebration when I hear the word "maslenitsa" I already smell the pancakes, imagine a river of a melted butter, feel the taste of the salty smoked salmon wrapped in the warm crepes.
It is widely believed that the russian "carnival" week is a celebration rather pagan, and not Orthodox, but It's not quite true.
This preparatory week before the Fasting is like I have already mentioned dedicated to one purpose - reconciliation with others, so it is the time when you need to devote good communication with the neighbors, relatives and friends.
The Church of course calls to remember that at no time people should have fun, which leads to conscience loss.
The prayer during the Fasting period, unfortunately cannot be translated:
"Господи и Владыко живота моего, дух праздности, уныния, любоначалия и празднословия не даждь ми! Дух же целомудрия, смиренномудрия, терпения и любве даруй ми, рабу твоему. Ей, Господи Царю, дай ми зрети моя прегрешения и не осуждати брата моего, яко благословен еси вовеки веков. Аминь".
Source: GotovimDoma
Photo source: TheVoiceofRussia
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