Maslenitsa, along with Easter and Trinity, is an important folk holiday for Orthodox Russians, traditionally celebrated in mid-to-late winter. In 2018, the celebration will start in early February due to early Easter. Fans of folk festivals, brave fun and butter pancakes are interested in the date of Maslenitsa in 2018. Let's talk about everything in order, not forgetting about winter games, traditions and recipes for delicious treats.
There is no specific date for the celebration of Maslenitsa, the calculation depends on what dates Great Lent and Easter of Christ fall on. To determine the celebration, 56 days are counted from the date of Easter Sunday (this is exactly 8 weeks). 48 of them are Great Abstinence, the remaining 7 are Maslenitsa festive week. Maslenitsa in 2018 will be celebrated from 12 to 18 February. After the ringing of evening church bells on February 18, Orthodox Christians will begin Great Lent.
There are many old pagan rituals and traditions that mark the celebration of the Wide Maslenitsa. These are sleigh rides, burning a smart stuffed animal, welcoming spring with pancakes "hot, hot", visiting relatives, other brave and teenage fun with fist fights, building a snow fortress and chants. The main message of the holiday is fun, walks and forgiveness of their offenders.
Names of Shrovetide days and related rituals
Each day of Shrovetide week has its own old name and a certain meaning.
- Monday. Directly "meeting" the holiday. In 2018, Maslenitsa will come on February 12, by this day you need to complete the construction of a snow or wooden slide, buy food, bake the first pancakes. It was on Monday in the old days that a huge unloaded effigy of Maslenitsa was exhibited in the central square.
- Tuesday. On February 13, 2018, it is possible to celebrate "flirting". This is a festive day for young people, allowing you to demonstrate your feelings to your soulmate, have fun from the heart at the parties. In the old days, young couples celebrated flirting by rolling from the mountains, the day began with the opening of trade fairs.
- Wednesday. February 14, 2018 - the holiday of sons-in-law, in other words - "gourmet". On this day, the son-in-law needs to go to his beloved mother-in-law for butter pancakes with various treats, liqueurs, jams and pickles. In the old days on Wednesday evening, the famous wall-to-wall fistfights were held.
- Thursday. The beginning of the Maslenitsa festivities on February 15, 2018 under the code word "take a walk". From that day on, it was forbidden to do any work, all preparations had to be completed. Thursday morning during the festive week is a great time to cook treats, go to close and distant friends and relatives. In the old days, "take a walk" was celebrated with the capture of a snow fort.
- Friday. This day is given to mother-in-law, called "mother-in-law". Mother-in-law with her friends should visit the son-in-law, accept gifts and delicious treats from his hands.
- Saturday. Again a party with pies, pancakes and treats, but for the daughters-in-law, called "sister-in-law's gatherings". All relatives of the husband should visit the daughter-in-law in her house, give gifts and taste the delicacies. If the girl is not married, she can spend the evening with her beloved friends.
- Sunday. This day is called "Forgiven Sunday", because from morning till evening one must ask each other for forgiveness for any insults and sorrows. The holiday ends with the burning of a Maslenitsa effigy on a large fire, wide festivities in the square, children's amusements and youth games.
The main traditions of Maslenitsa
For Orthodox Christians, the holiday is called cheese week because of the presence on the tables of a wide variety of cheese, butter and dairy dishes. The main treat on this day is tender, thick, delicate, golden pancakes with various fillings. Pancakes can be served with sour cream, butter, liquid honey, preserves and jams, fresh berries, caviar, salted mushrooms or fish. A popular omen for Shrovetide says that for happiness in the house you need to bake pancakes as much as you have enough strength.
This day is not complete without fortune-telling. Here are a couple of the most accurate pancakes and fir-tree predictions:
- All family members or friends gather. Pancakes with various fillings are put on a large tray in advance: sour, sweet, spicy, unleavened, salty. A bean or a coin is wrapped inside one pancake. Then each one takes a pancake envelope. If you come across a sweet filling - it will be successful all year round, spicy - wait for adventures that tickle your nerves. If sour - sorrow awaits, salty - to grief and tears, fresh - the whole year will pass without any special changes. If you come across a bean or a coin - to surprises, money, prosperity.
- Branches from different types of conifers are being prepared: fluffy, crooked, shabby, thick, fragile, with cones. Fold into a bag. During fortune-telling, girls pull out one at a time, blindfolded and in dumplings (thick mittens). If you come across a thick or thin - the same shines and the groom, beautiful or curved - this will be the narrowed one. If with cones - rich, shabby without bark - unlucky, without money.
The Sunday burning of an elegant effigy of Maslenitsa is not complete without ceremonies. Old things are thrown into the fire, notes, as if getting rid of troubles, accumulated misfortunes. The walls of houses and vegetable gardens are sprinkled with cooled ashes in order to attract wealth, prosperity, and a good harvest. How to celebrate Maslenitsa depends only on the mood, the main thing is not to give a reason for sadness, not to hold a grudge against someone.
Pancake recipe for Shrovetide
Having calculated in advance the number of Maslenitsa in 2018, you can take your time choosing the most delicious pancake recipe by experimenting with fillings. You can bake ruddy pancakes starting from February 12 until Forgiven Sunday. For the preparation of the dough, it is recommended to use not only milk or water, but also kefir, mineral water, even light beer or fruit juices. The pan must be cast iron so that the pancakes do not burn.
Here is the most popular Pancake recipe for Shrovetide.
Ingredients:
- milk (warmed to room temperature) - 500 ml;
- eggs - 2 pieces;
- vegetable oil for dough - 2 tablespoons;
- sugar - one tablespoon (you can with a slide);
- salt - a pinch;
- flour - a glass.
Preparation:
- Beat the eggs removed from the refrigerator in advance, mix with salt and sugar.
- Pour in milk, stir.
- Sift flour, preferably twice. Gradually, in small portions, whisk into the dough.
- Add vegetable oil, stir again. The dough should be similar in consistency to sour cream.
- Bake in an oil-heated skillet, pouring with a ladle and turning over.
Knowing what date Maslenitsa is in 2018, you can prepare in advance for the holiday, stock up on souvenirs for friends and family, bake pancakes with various fillings. And if there is a desire and time, you can even brew a hoppy home-made beer to the envy of all neighbors.
