When does Maslenitsa 2025 begin?

The date of Maslenitsa depends on when Easter is celebrated, the celebration begins a week before the beginning of Lent.

Shrove Tuesday, or Cheese Week, is a time of fun, delicious pancakes, and preparation for Lent. Although the tradition of baking pancakes has nothing to do with the church, it is more of an echo of our pagan past, but that makes it no less enjoyable.

So, Maslenitsa is easy to calculate - it is celebrated 7 days before the beginning of Great Lent, which depends on the date of Easter. In 2025, Bright Christ Sunday falls on April 20, Great Lent will last from March 3 to April 19. Thus, in 2025, Maslenitsa Week will begin on Monday, February 24, and will last until Sunday, March 2.

MASLYANA 2025: February 24 – March 2

Source: freepik

As is known, in folk traditions, each day of Shrovetide has its own name, meaning, and traditions:

• Monday, February 24: meeting. Uzka Maslenitsa, the beginning of the cheese week, when housewives baked the first pancakes. It was customary to share them with those in need.
• Tuesday, February 25: ZagrashaA time of matchmaking and new acquaintances, it was believed that on this day one should begin preparations for the wedding.
• Wednesday, February 26: Treats. The day when the son-in-law goes to his mother-in-law for pancakes.
• Thursday, February 27: revelry. Shyroka Maslenitsa begins on Thursday. On this day, as on the remaining days of the week, work is not allowed, but it is necessary to actively have fun and have fun.
• Friday, February 28: Mother-in-law partiesNow her parents are rushing to visit their married daughter. And she has to bake pancakes and set a rich table.
• Saturday, March 1: sister-in-law's gatherings. Married women invited their husband's relatives to visit - sisters, aunts, nieces, and others.
• Sunday, March 2: Farewells. The finish and culmination of a wild and hearty cheese week. The last day is the farewell to Maslenitsa, also called Forgiveness Sunday, when people remember their deceased relatives, visit the cemetery, and prepare for the beginning of Lent.

The remains of butter dishes were burned, the dishes, tables, and shelves with food (in our case, refrigerators) were thoroughly washed. Traditionally, an effigy of butter, which was made on the first day of the week, was burned.