19 September 2013. What Life Magazine Thought was a “Traditional Russian Breakfast” in 1972

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In 1972, Life magazine published a series of photographs on the subject of breakfast. This acquainted readers with traditional breakfast items in different parts of the world. How close the creators of this collection came to the truth, well, one can tell from the description of the “traditional Russian breakfast“. It was something out of a 19th century Russian novel… not at all like a contemporary breakfast in Russia today. The “traditional Russian breakfast” included dark bread, sour cherry jam, blini, smoked fish, kisel, tea, and kasha. That would be nice… if one could get it…

BMD

17 March 2013. RIA-Novosti Infographics. The Traditions of Celebrating Maslenitsa

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On 11 March, Maslenitsa began in Russia… the last seven days before the onset of Lent. Maslenitsa is one of the most exciting, colourful, and lively folk holidays, which, contrary to popular belief, has nothing to do with paganism, but rather has a direct relationship to Orthodox Easter. Archpriest Maksim Kozlov, a professor at the Moscow Theological Academy (MDA), told RIA-Novosti, “The time to celebrate Maslenitsa is tied to Easter, for Maslenitsa, the last week before Lent, begins exactly eight weeks before Easter. In terms of church canons, Maslenitsa is a half-holiday. During Maslenitsa, we don’t eat meat, but you can eat every other non-Lenten food, including dairy products… abstinence on Wednesdays and Fridays is cancelled. During Maslenitsa, services on Wednesday and Friday are particularly long, just like in Lent, with many prostrations. The idea behind the canons is to gradually bring Christians into Lent”. Meanwhile, pancakes, once perceived as a pagan symbol of the sun, with the Christianisation of Rus, became the traditional festive meal in “Cheese Week“, just as kulich and paskha cheese (click here and here for recipes) celebrate Easter, the Resurrection of Christ.

11 March 2013

RIA-Novosti

http://en.ria.ru/infographics/20130311/179940165/The-Traditions-of-Celebrating-Maslenitsa.html

http://ria.ru/infografika/20130311/926081600.html

Gorky Park in Moscow will have Maslenitsa Events Featuring Blini, Contests, and Prizes

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The Moscow Department of Culture announced that the city’s parks of culture and rest would hold traditional festivities and celebrations during Maslenitsa, from 11 to 17 March. Most of the events are due on 16 and March 17. In particular, Gorky Park of Culture plans two days of festivities with blini, contests, and prizes. At 18.00 on both days, popular artists will present a concert. Sokolniki Park will have a Maslenitsa Alley all week long, and blini, rides, and traditional amusements will be available in Fonntanoi Square. On Forgiveness Sunday, the parks will host a burning of the effigy of Marena. Maslenitsa events shall occur in Izmailovo, Krasnaya Presnya, Hermitage Garden, Taganka, Kuzminki Forest, Perovo, Lianozovo, Babushkinsky, Svernoe Tushino, Fili, Bauman Garden, and Muzeon Parks.

1 March 2013

Interfax-Religion

http://interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=50203

Editor’s Note:

The old pre-revolutionary Maslenitsa is back… by popular demand! That tells you that the revival of Orthodoxy is on track better than the perusal of church attendance figures does. I’ll tell ya a secret… the contemporary commies are 100 percent behind it all… they’re believers (as are Zyuganov and Simonenko, their leaders), after all (the rightwing pro-American Free Marketers are godless… reflect on that one, kids). We should keep this tradition… and revive it where it’s fallen into disuse (often, due to modernist clergy). In any case, it’s FUN… and God does want you to enjoy the good life that He gave you. One of the questions He’s going to ask you is, “Why didn’t you enjoy the legit pleasures that I made for you?” Now, that’s something to mull over…

BMD

21 February 2012. RIA-Novosti Infographics: The Traditions of Celebrating Maslenitsa

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21 February 2012

RIA-Novosti

http://en.rian.ru/infographics/20120221/171431988.html