Source: CCTV.com

03-11-2008 10:12

Hundreds gathered before Moscow's St. Basil's Cathedral in celebration of the traditional Russian festival "Maslenitsa". They came to enjoy music, dancing, Russian hot pancakes, known as "blini" - and mead.

Hundreds gathered before Moscow's St. Basil's Cathedral in celebration of the traditional Russian festival "Maslenitsa". (Photo: CCTV.com)

According to Slavic mythology, "Maslenitsa" is a sun festival that celebrates Winter's end.

This pagan tradition has survived hundreds of years. Today it's recognized by the Orthodox church as a sort of Carnival marking the week before Lent.

The Russian Orthodox Church, waged a century-long struggle to stamp out pagan traditions in Russia. Eventually the Church capitulated and today includes many pagan rites and traditions in the Russian Orthodox calendar.

Ulyan Vasilyevich, Moscow resident, said, "For me, a Russian, it is a continuation of Russian tradition. The fact that pagan traditions survived in Russia, that the Orthodox church accepted, though with great hesitation, is a great achievement."

The central symbol for the festival is "Maslenitsa, representing the long, harsh winter as it gives way to spring and the quickening Sun.

A straw effigy of "Maslenitsa" is traditionally burned on the final day of the week-long celebration.

Another tradition on the last day of the festival,is Forgiveness Day. It is a day for people ask for forgiveness, thus to redeem themselves from their sins before the beginning of Lent.

 

Editor:Liu Fang