Then the people are wondering: since when is Maslenitsa?

The question "What is the number of Maslenitsa?" Begins to sound all over the place almost immediately after the end of the January holidays. The holiday, in fact, has quite become a real day of national unity, when all the diversity of folk customs and traditions is manifested, when national and religious preferences fade into the background. And all because this holiday absorbed both pagan and Orthodox components and is widely celebrated by all residents of Russia with virtually no exceptions.

People believed that the more lavish and fun the party was, the more consolingly the fields would later become zakolosyatsya. Therefore, at the end of the week, not everyone could answer the question about the number of Shrove Tuesday: every day had its own and very rich program. In the old days it was a time of seeing off (or, rather, digging out) of winter, waiting for warmth, spring joy and species for harvest.

Refined, Pancake week of what number, survived the Sunday chase - "eating ram" - and a Monday meeting with those who wish "to see people and show themselves"? Danced Tuesday "zaigrysh" and respected the famous mother-in-law pancakes on Wednesday? Even the most persistent did not stay on the feet of a binge Thursday. There is where to turn to real men: riding from the mountains on sleigh, jumps of fast triples of race, siege and taking of snow towns, and what fist fights are "wall to wall"! The girls did not stay away from the fun: throughout the neighborhood they were entertained both by the narrowed and the mummers (not only the princes themselves rallied together, but even their stallions managed to pull on their pants!).

And how they treated each other! It's not for nothing that people called Shrove Tuesday a vestige, a destroyer, a blinder, or a broad-hearted deceiver. Endless mother-in-the-moonness and zolovkin gatherings - what an expanse for gourmets! And it does not matter what date! The pancake seemed to be endless. However, all this week-long celebration inevitably poured into the apotheosis - Forgiveness Sunday.

In the huge fire burned Maslenitsa - a scarecrow, symbolizing the winter cold, there were burning remnants of feasts and tired of all the fun. It burned down and Sunday, gradually calming the rampant riot and reconciling even the most sworn enemies.

Yes, nice to walk! And this is in spite of the fact that the Orthodox Church never tires of repeating to us that the Carnival, no matter how many days it begins, must pass in silence. At this time, you should try to get close to the thoughts of the Lord. Carnival week is a bright foreplay of abstinence, the beginning of affection and repentance ... This time is unacceptable to lose in revelry, because the so-called Slept (Masked) week precedes the Great Lent. And to the cleansing Great Lent it is necessary to prepare both the soul and the body: to visit the temple, pray a lot, reconcile with circumstances and with your loved ones, think about repentance, for we all are sinners.

Of course, everyone should know from what date Maslenitsa begins and how many days it ends. It is for this purpose that the corresponding table is attached in this article.

And everyone should choose how to spend this wonderful week: someone surrenders to the mercy of traditions, and some remain faithful to the Christian teaching. The holiday is bright, the holiday is bright! Of course, it is not only possible to celebrate, but it is also necessary!