Every year, Pancake week begins at a different time, because it is associated with Lent. It's a great time filled with different traditions which are almost 2000 years old.

Great Lent is constantly shifting, which is why Shrove Tuesday also changes the date of its beginning and end. In 2018, this tradition will not be an exception, so it is advisable to know in advance when the fun ancient holiday Maslenitsa begins.

The history of the holiday and its meaning

Previously, in pre-Christian times, Maslenitsa was celebrated in the spring, because it was a celebration of the beginning of summer on the day of the vernal equinox. With the advent of Christianity, the traditions of Great Lent also appeared, which just falls at this time. That is why it was decided to move Shrovetide. Nobody wanted to abandon the traditions of Rus', because they were primordial, ancient, like Rus' itself. It brought people together. It was an act of goodwill in relation to the traditions, thanks to which all people lived in peace and joy for many centuries.

Now Maslenitsa has a double meaning - it is a celebration of the end of winter, its farewell. Pancake week, as this period is called differently, is divided into two large parts - narrow and wide Maslenitsa. The first three days are a narrow Maslenitsa. These days in spring ancient Rus' people rested and walked, although it was not forbidden to work in the fields. As for the second part of Maslenitsa, it was already forbidden to work there. Every day of Maslenitsa still has its own unique name, traditions and meaning. Throughout Russia there is a considerable number of people who bake pancakes and preserve traditions for future generations. Pancake is a symbol of the Sun, and the holiday itself is a triumph of life and joy.

Maslenitsa in 2018

Lent begins February 19th. Therefore, Shrove Tuesday will pass from February 12 to February 18 inclusive. Traditions will not differ from previous years of celebration, however, believers should not forget that this last days before the most important post preceding Easter. It is worth having fun this week, because then the church recommends starting to refrain from watching TV, from excessive fun, drinking alcohol and fatty animal foods.

Meet the spring in this way, forcing the winter to recede. This year, the winter turns out to be quite peaceful and moderate, but no one knows what awaits us in late February and early March. They say that spring will be early, so let's rejoice together at this fact in the upcoming Maslenitsa week.

Believers need to remember that Maslenitsa is the time of the cheese week. You can't eat meat this week. Cheesefare Week is an alternative church name for the last week before Lent. In churches, worship services remember the expulsion of Adam from paradise. The last Sunday preceding Lent is called Forgiveness, because you need to forgive everyone who offended you, and ask for forgiveness from those whom you offended in the past.

This will be an important week for all Slavic peoples, all Christians and people who honor traditions. You can safely have fun, but we must not forget about the approach of the most important church calendar stage of the year. Great Lent is coming, which will help believers purify their souls and prepare for the celebration of Easter. Good luck and don't forget to press the buttons and

31.01.2018 05:01

Maslenitsa - Slavic holiday originated in ancient times. It used to be looked forward to. Special signs...

Shrovetide week is a period of festivities in a big way. As they said in the old days, Maslenitsa the ruiner has come. Not...

Nesterova I.A. Maslenitsa // Encyclopedia of the Nesterovs

Maslenitsa is a traditional holiday based on ancient customs and has a huge symbolic focus. Maslenitsa is celebrated for a whole week. After carnival begins Orthodox post. During the week, it is customary to visit each other and enjoy different pancakes. This and more is covered in the article.

What is carnival

Maslenitsa has been celebrated in Rus' for a long time, since pagan times. The pagan Maslenitsa was celebrated for two weeks at the end of March. With the adoption of Christianity in Rus', the celebration coincided with Lent. The Church did not dare to cancel such a big holiday, but postponed the festivities a month ago, namely from March to February.

With the transfer of the celebration, Maslenitsa lost part of its pagan meaning, since before the adoption of Christianity, it fell on the spring equinox. The spring equinox was considered the beginning of the New Year. It was then, according to our ancestors, that nature woke up, winter finally lost the battle with spring and retired. On this occasion, mass festivities were organized. People tried to appease their ancient gods and carried offerings to them.

Pancakes were the main symbol of Shrovetide. Among the pagans, the pancake symbolized the sun. Treating each other with this bright dish was considered a wish for happiness and prosperity.

With the advent of Christianity in Rus', many customs of the celebration of the pagan Maslenitsa were preserved. The essence of the holiday has not changed: seeing off the evil old woman of winter. The straw effigy of winter is burned to this day, because by the end of February everyone was tired of the cold and the soul asks for spring and warmth. Seeing off winter does not contradict Christian traditions, for this reason the Church does not express explicit condemnation.

When is Shrovetide celebrated

As mentioned earlier, the celebration of Maslenitsa was changed with the adoption of Christianity. Now it is celebrated on a grand scale not before the day of the spring equinox, but on the eve of Great Lent.

Maslenitsa in Russia does not fall every year on the same date. This is due to the floating start date of Lent and traditions. You can calculate the date of Maslenitsa yourself. To do this, you need to subtract 56 days from the date of Easter: 48 days of Lent and a week.

Pancake week in 2018 will be for the period from 12 to 18 February.

Regardless of the date of Maslenitsa this year, the celebration should be cheerful and hospitable.

Carnival traditions

Despite the fact that the pagan Maslenitsa became Orthodox, a number of ancient traditions have survived to this day. The most memorable are the traditions of burning a scarecrow of winter and visiting with pancakes or pancakes. In addition, it is customary to lay a rich table on Maslenitsa so that the whole subsequent year goes well. Greed and squabbles on Maslenitsa lead to failure. Our ancestors believed in it so strongly that they celebrated Maslenitsa almost on a grand scale.

In the week before Maslenitsa, housewives must put their home in order. Dust is swept out of all corners, all garbage is thrown out and everything superfluous is removed. In Rus', Maslenitsa was prepared very carefully.

In Rus', housewives cleaned up all corners of the house - from the attic to the cellar: they refurbished the whitewashing of stoves, scraped tables, benches and floors, prepared festive dishes for use, swept garbage from the yard and in front of the gate

The Saturday before the Maslenitsa week was considered the day of commemoration of the deceased relatives. The hostesses baked pancakes and commemorated relatives and friends. Pancakes were distributed to the poor.

Each day of the Maslenitsa week has its own meaning and certain traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. So it was believed that the cold and rainy weather before the start of Maslenitsa - to a good harvest and well-being.

On the night before Maslenitsa, the housewives did not let anyone in the process of making dough, which had a mystical meaning. Some made brew on melted water, someone used holy water, etc.

Days of Pancake week

On Monday, which is usually called the day of the Maslenitsa meeting, the housewives baked pancakes. Celebrations are organized in towns and villages. The scarecrow of winter is made on Monday. In addition, booths and attractions are installed everywhere. Theatrical performances are organized on the squares.

On Tuesday In Rus', Tuesday was considered the day of youth. The guys actively flirted with the girls and looked for brides. They called the girls to ride down the hills, and in return they treated them to pancakes. Boys and girls played hide and seek. The guys slapped the girls on the soft spot, rolled in the snow, the girls in response threw snowballs at the guys. Such advances served as a kind of bride-to-be, which were supposed to lead to weddings after Lent. Now slides are being installed on Tuesday. Fairs are organized on the streets and squares and pancakes are baked.

On Wednesday there was a custom to eat mother-in-law pancakes. The daughter and her husband came to visit their mother. It was believed that the more dishes on the table, the more favorable the mother-in-law to the son-in-law. Now it is also customary to visit the wife's mother.

Pyotr Nikolaevich Gruzinsky "Maslenitsa"

On Thursday all household chores faded into the background, and the people participated in the festivities. Pyotr Nikolaevich Gruzinsky reflected Broad Thursday in his 1889 painting. The painting is kept in the Russian Museum.

On Friday mother-in-law comes to the house to her daughter and son-in-law. In Rus', it was customary for the son-in-law to treat his mother-in-law with pancakes, and the best ones at that. The mother-in-law brought her friends with her to show off her son-in-law.

On Saturday the wife called her husband's relatives and showed them her respect in every possible way: she served delicious dishes and delicious pancakes.

On Sunday organize a farewell to winter. A straw effigy is burned in the squares. In addition, the last day of Maslenitsa is Forgiveness Sunday. Everyone asks each other for forgiveness in order to enter Great Lent with a pure soul.

pancake recipes

Currently, there are several hundred recipes for making pancakes. Pancakes are baked on water, milk, kefir, whey, cottage cheese or sour cream. Pancakes can be both very high-calorie and dietary. The main condition for tasty and fragrant pancakes is the use of fresh and natural products.

Diet pancakes on the water

Ingredients:

Water - 600 ml.

Flour - 300 gr

Eggs - 2 pcs

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Soda - 1/2 tsp

Sugar - 2 tbsp

Vegetable oil - 1 tbsp

Wine vinegar / balsamic vinegar - 1/2 tsp.

Cooking:

We take all the ingredients and start cooking. Instead of balsamic vinegar, you can use regular or apple cider vinegar.

First of all, break the eggs and beat well with a whisk or mixer

Add all ingredients to beaten eggs and mix well.

The resulting homogeneous dough should stand for ten minutes. In the meantime, take out the non-stick frying pan.

Pour the dough into the pan and cook over high heat.

Ready-made pancakes are folded into a clay crepe maker and generously greased with butter

Moroccan pancakes Beghrir

Ingredients:

For pancakes:

Boiled water 400 ml

Yeast dry 5 gr.

Semolina 300 gr

Wheat flour - 200 gr

Baking powder - 3 gr

Sugar 1 tbsp. l.

Coarse salt 1 pinch

Chicken eggs 1 pc.

For submission:

Butter - 50 gr.

The peculiarity of Moroccan pancakes is that they are made using semolina. The pancakes themselves are soft and fluffy. Moroccan pancakes are fried on one side only. Ready-made pancakes are served with butter and honey sauce.

Shrovetide is one of the most fun and long-awaited holidays of the year, the celebration of which lasts for seven days. At this time, people have fun, go to visit, arrange festivities and eat pancakes. Maslenitsa in 2018 will begin on February 12, and its end date will be February 18.

Pancake week is a national celebration dedicated to the meeting of spring. Before entering Great Lent, people say goodbye to winter, enjoy the warm spring days, and, of course, bake delicious pancakes.

Maslenitsa: traditions and customs

There are several names for this holiday:

• the meat-empty Maslenitsa is called due to the fact that during the celebration they refrain from eating meat;
• cheese - because this week they eat a lot of cheese;
• Shrovetide - because they use a large amount of oil.

Many people are anxiously awaiting the onset of Maslenitsa, the traditions of celebrating which are rooted deep into our history. Today, as in old days, this holiday is celebrated on a grand scale, with chants, dances and competitions.

The most popular amusements that used to be arranged in the villages were:

• fist fights;
• eating pancakes for a while;
• sledding;
• climbing a pole for a prize;
• bear games;
• effigy burning;
• bathing in holes.

The main treat both before and now are pancakes, which can have various fillings. They are baked every day in large quantities.

Our ancestors believed that those who do not have fun on Maslenitsa will live the coming year poorly and bleakly.

Maslenitsa: what can and cannot be done?

1. On Maslenitsa you can not eat meat food. It is allowed to eat fish and dairy products. As a main dish, pancakes should be on the table in every house.
2. You need to eat on Maslenitsa often and a lot. Therefore, it is customary to invite guests and not skimp on treats, as well as to go on a visit.

Maslenitsa: the history of the holiday

In fact, Maslenitsa is a pagan holiday, which was eventually changed to the "format" of the Orthodox Church. In pre-Christian Rus', the celebration was called "Seeing off the winter."

Our ancestors revered the sun as a god. And with the onset of the first spring days, they were glad that the sun was starting to warm the earth. Therefore, a tradition appeared to bake round cakes resembling the sun in shape. It was believed that by eating such a dish, a person would receive a piece of sunlight and warmth. Over time, flat cakes were replaced with pancakes.

Maslenitsa: traditions of celebration

In the first three days of the holiday, there was an active preparation for the celebration:

• brought firewood for the fire;
• decorated the huts;
• built mountains.

The main celebration took place from Thursday to Sunday. They came into the house in order to treat themselves to pancakes and drink hot tea.

In some villages, young people went from house to house with tambourines, horns, balalaikas, singing carols. City residents participated in the festivities:

• dressed in the best clothes;
• went to theatrical performances;
• visited booths to look at buffoons and have fun with a bear.

The main entertainment was the ride of children and youth from the ice slides, which they tried to decorate with lanterns and flags. Used for riding:

• matting;
• sled;
• skates;
• skins;
• ice cubes;
• wooden troughs.

Another fun event was the capture of the ice fortress. The guys built a snow town with gates, they planted guards there, and then went on the attack: they broke into the gates and climbed onto the walls. The besieged defended themselves as best they could: snowballs, brooms and whips were used.

On Maslenitsa, guys and young men showed their agility in fisticuffs. The inhabitants of two villages, landlord and monastic peasants, residents of a large village living in opposite ends could participate in the battles.

Seriously prepared for the battle:

• soared in the baths;
• ate well;
• turned to the sorcerers with a request to give a special conspiracy to win.

Features of the rite of burning an effigy of winter on Maslenitsa

As many years ago, today the culmination of Maslenitsa is considered to be the burning of an effigy. This action symbolizes the onset of spring and the end of winter. The burning is preceded by games, round dances, songs and dances, accompanied by refreshments.

As a stuffed animal, which is sacrificed, they made a large funny and at the same time scary doll, personifying Shrovetide. They made a doll out of rags and straw. After that, she was dressed up in women's clothes and left on the main street of the village during the Maslenitsa week. And on Sunday they were solemnly carried outside the village. There, the scarecrow was burned, drowned in the hole, or torn to pieces, and the straw left from it was scattered across the field.

The ritual burning of the doll had a deep meaning: it is necessary to destroy the symbol of winter in order to resurrect its power in the spring.

Maslenitsa: the meaning of every day

The holiday is celebrated from Monday to Sunday. On Shrove Week, it is customary to spend every day in its own way, observing the traditions of our ancestors:

1. Monday called "Meeting Maslenitsa". On this day they start baking pancakes. It is customary to give the first pancake to the poor and needy people. On Monday, our ancestors prepared a scarecrow, dressed it in rags and put it on the main street of the village. It was on public display until Sunday.
2. Tuesday nicknamed "The Gamble". It was dedicated to the youth. On this day, folk festivals were organized: they rode sledges, ice slides, carousels.
3. Wednesday- "Gourmet". On this day, guests (friends, relatives, neighbors) were invited to the house. They were treated to pancakes, honey cakes and pies. Also on Wednesday it was customary to treat your sons-in-law with pancakes, hence the expression: “ My son-in-law came, where can I get sour cream?". Horse racing and fist fights were also held on this day.
4. Thursday people called it "Razgulyay". From this day begins the Wide Shrovetide, which is accompanied by snowball fights, sledding, cheerful round dances and chants.
5. Friday They were nicknamed "Teschin's Evenings", because on this day the sons-in-law invited the mother-in-law to their house and treated them to delicious pancakes.
6. Saturday- "Zolovkin gatherings." The daughter-in-law invited her husband's sisters to their house, talked with them, treated them to pancakes and gave gifts.
7. Sunday- the apotheosis of Maslenitsa. This day is called Forgiveness Sunday". On Sunday they said goodbye to winter, saw off Maslenitsa and symbolically burned its effigy. On this day, it is customary to ask friends and relatives for forgiveness for the grievances that have accumulated over the year.

Proverbs and sayings for Maslenitsa

Video: the history and traditions of the Maslenitsa holiday

The holiday is celebrated at different times every year. The date of Easter is calculated according to lunar calendar, and the time of Maslenitsa directly depends on this. The interval between these events is always the same - 56 days (or 8 weeks). Knowing the date of the celebration of Easter, you can easily calculate on your own when there will be Shrovetide in 2018. It is only necessary to take away 48 days of the strictest fasting and 7 days of Maslenitsa itself, it turns out the exact date of the beginning of the bright event. People always eagerly want to know the date of Maslenitsa 2018 as soon as possible in order to have time to prepare, clean the house, stock up on groceries and, during the week, plunge into the world of fun and joy.

In 2018, Shrovetide week begins on Monday February 12 and ends on the evening of February 18, on Sunday, with the beats of church bells.

Shrovetide is divided into two periods - narrow and wide, in the first half, you can do housework, and starting from Thursday, any work is prohibited. In addition, according to established traditions, each day of the holiday week has its own special meaning and name:

• "Meeting Maslenitsa" - takes place on Monday. That is, in 2018, the Maslenitsa Meeting falls on February 12. People are finishing the last preparations, completing the swings and various slides. Mandatory attribute of the event - A scarecrow made of straw, dressed in women's clothes and attached to a stick, is put up in the middle of the street. In the meantime, the housewives “conjure” in the kitchen, baking the most delicate pancakes, because it is on Shrovetide that they turn out so tasty that it is impossible to tear yourself away. The first baked pancake is never eaten - it is given to the poor or placed outside the window, in memory of the dead. In the evening, everyone gathers at a common table, marking the beginning of the festive week and making a plan for further events.
• "Zigrysh" - celebrated on Tuesday, February 13, 2018. The day is when dreams of a soulmate can come true. In the daytime, young people ride slides or swings, visit the fair, in the evening they are waiting for funny dances. All events are designed to create as many new couples as possible. And for the newlyweds, the opportunity to strengthen their feelings on this day, saturated with the "magic" of the holiday.
• "Gourmet" - on Wednesday Maslenitsa, it is customary to visit your mother-in-law. According to tradition, the more various treats on the table, the better the woman's attitude towards her son-in-law. In the evening, fisticuffs are often held.
• "Razgulyay" - on Thursday, mass festivities begin. People put aside all their worries, joyful laughter is heard from every corner. Everyone treats each other with delicacies, go to visit and sing funny songs. The traditional fun for this day is the fight for the snowy city.
• Mother-in-law evenings - celebrated on Friday. The mother-in-law, along with her friends, pays a return visit to her son-in-law. It is from his hands that she accepts treats, showing everyone what a wonderful son-in-law she has.
• “Sister-in-law gatherings” - on Saturday, the daughter-in-law gathers all her husband’s relatives in her house. If a girl is not married, she spends time with her unmarried friends. Everyone gives each other gifts and praises the prepared dishes.
• “Forgiveness Sunday” is the main day of the holiday. People let go of all the sorrows and resentments that have accumulated over the year, ask for forgiveness from each other. And in the evening, they solemnly burn an effigy and welcome the arrival of spring.

Rituals, divination and signs on Maslenitsa

IN Orthodox calendar the holiday is known under the name - cheese week, because a large number cheese, butter and sour cream on the tables, while meat products are completely absent. them in last time they use, the day before Maslenitsa, on Sunday, the “meat conspiracy”. Otherwise, you can eat absolutely everything and the more the better.

Maslenitsa - primarily associated with a huge number of pancakes. Housewives compete in skill, trying to come up with their own unique recipe and bake the most delicious pancakes. Absolutely everything is suitable as a filling, just enough imagination, cheese, caviar of all kinds, any fish, mushrooms, sour cream. For those with a sweet tooth, there are many sweet fillings, with jam or custard. According to popular belief: "In order to attract happiness and prosperity to the house, you need to bake as many pancakes as you can."

Knowing in advance when Maslenitsa begins in 2018, you can prepare well and find truly unique recipes. According to the secret of experienced hostesses, in order for the pancakes to turn out airy and “melt in your mouth”, it is necessary, be sure to sift the flour to make the dough fluffy. Milk and eggs should be room temperature. For the elasticity of the dough, you should add a spoon to it. vegetable oil. And bake pancakes, best of all in a cast-iron pan.

Signs for Maslenitsa

There are many old Russian traditions and signs that have evolved over the centuries and have survived to this day:

• The girl will successfully marry this year if the first pancake turns out to be ruddy and does not stick;
• The edges of the pancake will tell whether the union of the newlyweds will be happy. If they are torn and not even, this will be life, and if they are in perfect shape, then happiness is guaranteed to the family;
• The number of holes tells the number of future children in the family;
• If the pancake burns on the side, the girl needs to be vigilant, the husband can go on a spree. It will be true if the delicacy is browned in the middle;
• A thick pancake means tests for the family for a whole year, and a thin pancake means success;
• If a person reconciled with his enemies on a holiday, forgave them all insults, then good will return to him in a threefold amount;
• A child who won a swing ride or a hill competition is a sign - the family will have a better harvest and all ideas will be realized;
• If on the threshold of the house, on a holiday, many guests come who were not expected, you need to feed them deliciously, not be greedy. Then prosperity and prosperity will come in that;
• Rain on Maslenitsa - to the abundance of mushrooms in the fall. Frost - to a warm summer and a good harvest.

Divination for Shrovetide

Holiday fortune-telling helps to have fun and find out what fate has prepared for the current year.

Young girls, walking through the forest, collect coniferous twigs of various sizes. Late at night, they sit in a circle, and in the middle they lay out the collected branches. Blindfolded, in turn, each chooses one at a time. If a beautiful and thick branch is caught, the narrowed one will also be. Thin, curved with peeling bark, means - a bad guy will come across.

Often pancake fortune-telling is carried out on Maslenitsa. A delicacy with various fillings, sweet, sour, salty or fresh, is laid out on one plate, and beans or a coin are hidden in one pancake. Everyone takes a pancake. If you get a sweet one, it will be a good year. Salty pancake - to tears, spicy - promises many adventures, and insipid - changes in life are not expected in the near future. Pancake with a surprise - always to the money.

Divination by desire with the help of a pie. The knife is sprinkled with holy water, asked exciting question and plunge into the pie. If the knife looks to the left, then the desire will definitely come true, to the right - most likely not. The knife stands straight - so it's too early to ask a question. The main thing is that the knife does not fall, then for sure the whole year, you can only expect trouble.

On Sunday, at the end of the holiday, an effigy is burned on a huge fire. People say goodbye to the cold, to all the troubles and sorrows, throw old things into the fire. There is a belief that the scarecrow will be reborn, rise like a phoenix bird and bring all the best with it. Therefore, gardens are sprinkled with ashes, for a generous harvest, or facades of houses in order to attract money to the family.