Very soon, all Orthodox Christians will begin Great Lent. The week preceding the beginning of this event is called Oil. What date will Maslenitsa be in 2018 according to the Orthodox calendar?
Maslenitsa, like most Orthodox holidays, has a rich history. It appeared even before the Baptism of Rus. In those distant times, the celebration of Maslenitsa took place for two weeks. After the adoption of Christianity, this tradition has changed slightly. Now Shrovetide is celebrated for one week, which precedes the beginning of Lent. During this holiday, farewell to winter and welcome to spring are held.
In 2018, Lent begins early enough - February 19. Therefore, Maslenitsa will be celebrated on February 18th. And the Oil Week itself will take place from 12 to 18 February. For seven whole days, Orthodox Christians should rejoice at this event and perform certain rituals. Each day of the Oil Week has its own name and special traditions are confined to it.
Seven days of Shrovetide
one.. On this day, they begin to celebrate Maslenitsa. It is necessary to make a stuffed animal for the subsequent burning ritual and fill in a good ice slide. And also bake the first pancake, which must be given to the beggar, and thereby he will remember all the dead. On this day, usually a young couple living separately invites the mother-in-law and father-in-law to visit so that they teach the daughter-in-law to bake pancakes correctly.
2.. This day has always had a special meaning. All major events began with him. Young people rushed to ride on sleds from a hill, held festivities, various performances and concerts. At the same time, girls and guys tried to choose a soul mate and confessed their love to each other.
3. On the third day of Oil Week, the mother-in-law invites her son-in-law to visit for pancakes. Other relatives and friends can join this process. In the evening, they arrange chants, praising the mother-in-law's pancakes. You need to eat on this day as much as you want without restrictions. Otherwise, all the festive festivities continue.
4. On this day, they go all out and stop working. Everyone goes to visit each other with their treats. Also, funny carnivals are held, the apogee of which is demonstrative fist fights. In the old days, they prepared for them especially carefully for the amusement of others. At the same time, it was forbidden to hit a lying person, hit on the back of the head and below the waist and attack several people on one.
5. On this day, the son-in-law invites his mother-in-law to visit him and treats him to pancakes and various sweets. If this does not happen, then the mother-in-law considers herself insulted and offended.
6. On this day, the wife is obliged to invite her husband's relatives, especially his sisters, to visit. And they, in turn, give the young couple many different gifts.
7. On the seventh day, the most massive festivities take place, which end with the burning of a previously prepared effigy. During the celebrations, horse-drawn sleigh rides are organized. They also sing songs, have fun, hold various competitions. At the same time delicious pancakes are distributed free of charge. But you should remember that this day is called "Forgiven Sunday" and be sure to ask for forgiveness from your loved ones, acquaintances and friends. On this day, you need to visit the cemetery and ask for forgiveness from the deceased.
Shrovetide is known to everyone as the time to bake traditional pancakes. At this moment, they are prepared from various types of flour: buckwheat, wheat, oatmeal, corn and so on. The filling for pancakes is also varied: honey, cottage cheese, condensed milk, jam, jam.
A couple of recipes for the most delicious pancakes for Shrovetide
Two glasses of flour and two glasses of hot water are mixed in a container. Then everything is thoroughly mixed to remove lumps. Separately, the yeast is dissolved in warm water and poured into the resulting mixture. Next, beat the pancake starter and cover with a towel. After a certain time, when it doubles in volume, the remaining flour, milk, sugar, salt are added to it, beat again and put in a warm place for 30 minutes. Then they simply bake delicious pancakes.
To make custard pancakes you will need:
5 cups buckwheat flour, 3 cups water, 2 cups milk, 20 g yeast, 1 tsp. sugar, salt to taste.
Mix flour and powdered sugar in a large container. A notch is made in the center and eggs are broken there. Add a small amount of milk and mix. Continue adding milk until the dough looks like whipped cream. Next, beat the whole mixture well and add butter, which must first be melted. Pancakes are baked in one of the available ways.
To make lace pancakes you will need:
200 g wheat flour, 2 tbsp. l. powdered sugar, 5 eggs, 500 ml of milk, 120 g of melted butter.
In general, on Maslenitsa, people are preparing for one of the main events in the life of every Orthodox Christian - Great Lent. Not everyone can go through this forty-day period of life, observing the basic rules and restrictions on food intake.
