Holy holidays in February. Public holidays in February

February of next year is notable for the fact that it marks the beginning of the most important fast for the Orthodox Church - Lent.

On the eve of this multi-day fast, believers try to prepare themselves to give up their favorite foods and other familiar things that fasting prohibits.

In addition to the Holy Pentecost in February there are many other memorable dates that are worthy of our attention. Church holidays in February 2017 can bring prosperity and peace to your home.

Faith in the Almighty and his followers helps us cope with everyday difficulties and confidently walk through life. Let's look at the calendar of Orthodox celebrations for February 2017 in this article.

February 1, 2017 (Wednesday)

• Memorial Day of St. Macarius the Great of Egypt.
• Day of enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.
• Fast day.

February 2, 2017 (Thursday)

• Memorial Day of St. Euthymius the Great.
• Martyrs Inna, Pinna and Rimma.

February 3, 2017 (Friday)

• Venerable Maximus the Greek.
• Celebration of the icon Mother of God"Consolation" or "Consolation".
• Fast day.

February 4, 2017 (Saturday)

• Apostle Timothy.
• Martyr Anastisius Persianina.
• Memorial Day of St. Macarius of Zhabynsky.

February 5, 2017 (Sunday)

• Week about the publican and the Pharisee in 2017. Beginning of preparations for Lent.
• Hieromartyr Clement of Ancyra.
• Cathedral of Kostroma Saints.

February 6, 2017 (Monday)

• Memorial Day of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg.
• A continuous week about the publican and the Pharisee - there is no fasting.

February 7, 2017 (Tuesday)

• Celebration of the Icon of the Mother of God “Quench My Sorrows.”
• Saint Gregory the Theologian.
• Hieromartyr Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kyiv.
• It's a continuous week - no fasting.

February 8, 2017 (Wednesday)

• Memorial Day of the Venerable Xenophon, his wife Mary and their sons Arkady and John.
• It's a continuous week - no fasting.

February 9, 2017 (Thursday)

• Transfer of the relics of St. John Chrysostom.
• It's a continuous week - no fasting.

February 10, 2017 (Friday)

• Venerable Ephraim the Syrian.
• Memorial Day of St. Theodosius of Totem.
• It's a continuous week - no fasting.

February 11, 2017 Saturday

• Transfer of the relics of the Holy Martyr Ignatius the God-Bearer.
• Saint Lawrence, recluse of Pechersk, Bishop of Turov.
• Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church.
• It's a continuous week - no fasting.

February 12, 2017 (Sunday)

• Week of the Prodigal Son. Preparation for Lent.
• Council of Ecumenical Teachers and Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom.

February 13, 2017 (Monday)

• The unmercenary martyrs Cyrus and John and with them the martyr Athanasius and her daughters: Theoktista, Theodotia, and Eudoxia.
• Saint Nikita, recluse of Pechersk, Bishop of Novgorod.

February 14, 2017 (Tuesday)

• Forefeast of the Presentation of the Lord.
• Memorial Day of the Martyr Tryphon.

February 15, 2017 (Wednesday)

• Meeting of our Lord Jesus Christ.

February 16, 2017 (Thursday)

• Righteous Simeon the God-Receiver and Anna the Prophetess.

February 17, 2017 (Friday)

• Venerable Isidore of Pelusiot.
• Venerable Kirill of Novoezersk, wonderworker.
• Fast day.

February 18, 2017 (Saturday)

• Ecumenical meat-and-meat memorial parental Saturday.
• Saint Theodosius of Chernigov.
• Celebration of the icon of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost.”

February 19, 2017 (Sunday)

• Week of the Last Judgment (meat-eating week). Preparation for Lent.
• Memorial Day of Saints Barsanuphius and John.
• Venerable Vukol of Smyrna.

February 20, 2017 (Monday)

• Venerable Parthenius.
• The first day of Maslenitsa - there is no fasting.

February 21, 2017 (Tuesday)

• Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates.
• Prophet Zechariah the Sickle-Seer from the 12 minor prophets.
• The second day of Maslenitsa - no fasting.

February 22, 2017 (Wednesday)

• Martyr Nicephorus, from Antioch of Syria.
• The third day of Maslenitsa - no fasting.

February 23, 2017 (Thursday)

• Memorial Day of the Hieromartyr Charalampios.
• Righteous Galina.

February 24, 2017 (Friday)

• Blessed Prince Vsevolod, in Holy Baptism of Gabriel, Pskov.
• Venerable Demetrius of Prilutsky, Vologda.

February 25, 2017 (Saturday)

• Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.
• Saint Alexy of Moscow.
• Maslenitsa continues - there is no fasting.

February 26, 2017 (Sunday)

• Forgiveness Sunday (last day of Maslenitsa).
• Venerable Martinian.
• Memorial Day of Saints Zoe and Photinia.
• Recipe for Great Lent. It's a damp week. Memories of Adam's exile.

February 27, 2017 (Monday)

• Clean Monday, the beginning of Lent.
• Equal to the Apostles Cyril, teacher of Slovenia.

February 28, 2017 (Tuesday)

• Celebration of the Vilna Icon of the Mother of God.
• Great Martyr Theodore Tiron.

As mentioned earlier, in February there are not only holidays, but also other important days for believers, called fasts.

Church fasts in February 2017

• Multi-day fasting in February 2017 - February 27 marks the beginning of Lent. himself long post in the modern Orthodox Church.
• One-day posts are February 1, February 3, February 15 and February 17.
• Weeks in which there is no fasting: Week of the Publican and Pharisee from February 6 to 12, Maslenitsa from February 20 to 26.

This week is extremely important for all Christian believers. It is throughout the week about the Publican and the Pharisee that people gradually renounce everything sinful and unclean, they repent for all their actions that do not shine with integrity.

If you think about it, you can determine the meaning of this spiritual aspect - you should not be proud of your virtue, even if it is incredibly great. Every Orthodox man must repent, understand his sins and try to get rid of them. This week is given to us so that we remember all the toll-house principles and try to bring them to life.

Already on February 12, Meat Week begins, or in other words, the week of the Prodigal Son. On Saturday, every Christian should remember everyone who died not by natural causes, but under tragic circumstances. This week of Meat Week is dedicated to these people.

The very meaning of the Week is for people to rely less on God’s mercy, to be responsible for their actions and to understand that the Last Judgment of sinners still happens and quite often.

Cheese week or Maslenitsa

Right before Lent, namely from February 20 to 26, a wonderful, and most importantly, delicious week comes to people - Cheese Week.

This celebration has come to us since pre-Christian times and is associated with pagan rituals. Nevertheless, Orthodox Church adopted most of these traditions and is still one of the most beloved holidays.

Throughout the week you can eat any food, but preference is given to dairy products and eggs. Meat dishes are prohibited, but no one remembers about them when there is an abundance of pancakes, all kinds of Easter cakes, pies, cheesecakes and other mouth-watering dishes on the table. Cheese week has its own rituals, traditions and signs, and every day this week has a special meaning.

In addition, fortune telling becomes quite popular on Maslenitsa. Young girls especially love to look into their future. The most common fortune telling is that the girl needs to go outside in dark time and treat the first man you meet to a pancake. In return, he must give his name. The groom of this young girl will have exactly the same name.

Lent

The most significant holiday in February is Lent. It starts on February 27 and ends on March 15. This period ends with Holy Easter or the Resurrection of Christ. Throughout Lent, believers try to cleanse themselves through prayer and repentance. They also abstain from junk food.

Today, anyone can easily follow the canons of Lent, including in food. A lot of books and manuals for beginners have been published, which indicate in detail what dishes can be eaten throughout all four weeks, and even recipes for lean dishes have been written.

During this period, Communion is used in a special way, while weddings, christenings and other entertainment events are prohibited.

By reading prayers and refusing indecent food, a person cleanses himself not only physically, but also spiritually. Some thinkers believe that Lent is best time to know yourself and understand the meaning of your existence.

In Orthodoxy, each year has a certain number of significant dates. Christian holidays in 2017 by month are divided into non-transient and transferable. Events that occur in the same period from year to subsequent year are called non-transient, that is, constant. Moving celebrations change the date of their celebration depending on what date it falls on Happy Easter. As you know, in Orthodoxy, all calculations of the most important moving events of the year are based on the date of the celebration of Easter, since this event is dominant in the entire Christian religion. Easter means the holy resurrection of Christ after his execution-crucifixion. The holy resurrection of the Savior itself strengthened the faith of the believing people in the strength and might of the Lord.

Orthodox holidays are also divided according to their meaning. It has been determined that the main events of the religious year are usually divided into those of the Lord and those of the Mother of God. Since the Lord's celebrations directly relate to the life and existence of Christ, the Mother of God celebrations are entirely dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus.

During each month there is enough a large number of Orthodox events. Many of them are generally known, but such a celebration as the Nativity of Christ is even included in calendar events as an official state holiday. But the religious calendar consists not only of solemn and significant dates for Orthodoxy; it also necessarily includes the foundations of Christian fasts, which are obligatory for believers to fulfill.

Orthodox fasting is a mandatory and important basis of the faith of any Christian. During the duration of such a restriction, the believer must abstain from the delights and passions of ordinary life. human life. Fulfillment of fasting is given as a sign of strength and confident will. Believers adhere to the principles of fasting in honor of respect and veneration of religious traditions.

What religious holidays in 2017 are listed by month in the Christian calendar?

6 – Christmas Eve. A festive event in honor of which believers adhere to strict fasting and completely exclude all food from the diet.

7 – the great Nativity of Christ. An important date that refers to non-transitionable, that is, permanent holidays.

14 – Christian holidays include an event of important significance – the Circumcision of the Lord.

18 – Epiphany Eve – the eve of the meeting of the Epiphany of the Lord.

19 – meeting of the celebration of the Baptism of Christ. A great holiday, which is equipped with various religious rituals.

25 is a date that is completely dedicated to the great martyr Tatiana, the servant of Jesus.

February

15 – celebration of the Presentation of the Lord. The meaning of this significant date for believers lies in the coming of the infant Christ to the holy temple, when this visit was made for the first time.

20 – start Maslenitsa week – have a nice holiday, which lasts 7 days before the start of Lent.

26 – meeting of Forgiveness Sunday. An important date for all believers and ordinary people. On this day, it is customary to sincerely ask for forgiveness from all relatives and friends.

27 – Church holidays in 2017 include the tradition of observing Lent by month. Strict restrictions in life as usual for many people will last for 40 days, until Easter.

March

In the first spring month There are no dates important for Orthodoxy. During this period, believers adhere to the principles of Lent, which personifies the torment of Christ before his crucifixion. In March, every Saturday, believers must honor deceased relatives, in particular, parents, therefore, throughout the entire month there are 3 parental memorial Saturdays, which are designated by the calendar on the 11th, 18th and 25th.

April

7 - meeting of the most important holiday for Christians - the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. The celebration is symbolized by the coming of an angel to the Virgin Mary, who brought her the news that she would soon give birth to a baby, the Savior of the world and human destinies.

9 – Christianity celebrates the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. This celebration is popularly known as Palm Sunday.

16 –Bright and joyful Easter is a significant and important day for religion.

25 – memorial Radonitsa. At this moment, cemeteries are visited and deceased relatives are remembered by believers.

May

6 is a date dedicated to the honor and respect of St. George the Victorious.

9 - an event significant for all of Christianity - Voinov, among the common people this is the period of celebration of Victory Day.

25 – Holy Ascension of the Lord. The celebration personifies the miraculous ascension of Christ to Heaven in the form of a white cloud.

June

3 – memorial Trinity Saturday. Memorial Day for relatives, as well as all familiar people.

4 –meeting of the Holy Trinity. Celebration of the great day when praise and honor are given to the Triune God.

12 – during this period, the rules for maintaining Peter’s Fast begin. This restriction in the usual human benefits will last until Peter's Day.

July

7 - a glorious and joyful day - the holiday of Ivan Kupala. An event equipped with good traditions and rituals.

7 – The birth of John the Baptist is celebrated.

8 – day of religious lovers Peter and Fevronia. In common parlance, the date is called the day of family, fidelity and love.

12 – monthly Christian holidays indicate the end of Peter’s Fast. During the same period, the celebrations of the day of Saints Paul and Peter occur.

August

2 – believers celebrate Elijah’s Day.

14 – the beginning of the Assumption Holy Fast is scheduled for this day.

19 – holy day – Transfiguration of Christ. The date when Christ took on the guise of the Holy Spirit and appeared in it to his disciples.

28 – the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is celebrated – the date is not sad, on the contrary, it is a period of joy.

September

11 - meeting of the holiday dedicated to the Beheading of John the Baptist, when the holy prophet suffered a terrible and painful death.

21 – The birth of the Virgin Mary is a great religious event.

27 – Christian holiday– Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord. The day of the establishment of the cross on which Christ was crucified.

October

14 – Holy Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

November

28 - the beginning of the holy Nativity fast - a strict restriction of believers in their usual way of life.

December

4 – meeting of the celebration dedicated to the Entry of the Mother of God into the holy temple of the Lord. This event refers to non-transitional dates.

19 – Orthodox holidays in 2017, the months include an event that relates to the tribute of respect and honor to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker- a saint who, with his skills and the power of faith, saved the lives of believers from misfortunes and terrible illnesses.

Since ancient times, people have believed in higher power, which guided their actions, helped all living things develop, bestowed happiness and helped eliminate various problems. This faith has not lost its strength even today.

Everyone knows that in the Orthodox Church the parent of all living things is the Almighty and it is to Him that people raise their hands in the most complex and joyful moments. Together with him, Christians revere Jesus Christ (the son of God), the Virgin Mary and other saints who heal the human soul in especially difficult moments.

The main almanac and source of valuable knowledge regarding holidays, memorable dates, fasts and other equally significant dates is. With this useful help at hand, you will never miss a single important date and will always have time to prepare for the upcoming holiday.

In addition to Orthodox celebrations, Christians try to remember all the fasts, without which not a single year can go by. Do you want to know what church holidays await us in February 2018? Look at the calendar and you will always have time to prepare your body and soul for the celebration.

Great Church holidays in February 2018

• February 10, 2018 - This day is designated as Ecumenical Parents' Saturday. Extremely important date, which calls on all believers to go to the cemetery in order to honor the memory of deceased relatives, clean up their graves and pray. The name “Ecumenical” is not used in vain, because this parental Saturday commemorates all the dead, starting from the time of Adam and ending with our time.
• From February 12 to 18, 2018 - The week called Maslenitsa or Cheese Week. This is a bright and joyful holiday for everyone Orthodox Christian. The roots of Maslenitsa go back to the times of paganism, so the celebration has quite interesting and funny traditions. For example, on the last “Maslenitsa” day, a huge straw effigy is installed in the squares and burned at the end of the festivities. Also, throughout Cheese Week, housewives bake pancakes with all kinds of fillings.

• February 15, 2018 - The Twelfth Immovable Feast - the Presentation of the Lord. This church celebration is particularly important in the liturgical year. It has a fixed date, which means that from year to year it is celebrated on the 15th. The meeting is timed to coincide with one event in the New Testament, when the sage Simeon saw the Messiah - the newborn Jesus, whom the Mother of God and Her husband brought to the Temple. This, first of all, touches on the most significant point in Orthodox faith- love and trust in the Lord. Meeting helps us see that our God is merciful and fair to every person, and he always keeps his promises.
• February 19, 2018 - Beginning of Lent. This multi-day fast is considered the most important in the Orthodox Church. His the main objective— preparing a person for Easter on a physical and spiritual level. Lent reminds believers of the forty-day abstinence from food of the Savior in the desert and that only in this way can the devil be driven out of the soul.

Complete list of church holidays in February 2018

• February 1 - Venerable Macarius the Great. Saint Mark
• February 2 – St. Euthymius the Great
• February 3 – Martyr Neophytos. Venerable Maximus the Greek
• February 4 - Sunday of the Prodigal Son. Day of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia
• February 5 – Holy Martyr Clement and Martyr Agafangel. Cathedral of Kostroma Saints.
• February 6 - Day of St. Xenia the Roman
• February 7 – St. Gregory the Theologian
• February 8 - Saint Xenophon, his wife Mary and sons Arkady and John. Venerable Simeon the Old

• February 9 – Transfer of the relics of St. John Chrysostom
• February 10— Parents' Saturday. Venerable Theodosius of Totem
• February 11 - Week of the Last Judgment. Transfer of the relics of the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer
• February 12 - Maslenitsa, a continuous week without meat. Ecumenical Council of Teachers and Saints Basil the Great, John Chrysostom, Gregory the Theologian
• February 13 - Saint Nikita, recluse of Pechersk, Bishop of Novgorod
• February 14 - Martyrs Perpetua and Filicitata, martyrs Sathornilus, Revocatus, Satyrus, Secundus
• February 15 - Presentation of the Lord

• February 16 — Icons “Softening Evil Hearts.” Righteous Simeon the God-Receiver and Anna the Prophetess
• February 17 - To all the reverend fathers who shone in feat
• February 18 - Forgiveness Sunday. Martyr Agathia. Saint Theodosius
• February 19 - Beginning of Lent. Clean Monday
• February 20 - Great Canon of Andrei of Crete
• February 21 - Great Martyrs Theodore Stratelates and Prophet Zechariah the Sickle-Seer
• February 22 – Finding of the relics of St. Innocent
• February 23 – Icons of the Mother of God “Fire-shaped”
• February 24 – St. Demetrius of Prilutsky

• February 25 - St. Alexis. Iveron Icon of the Mother of God
• February 26 – Venerable Martinian
• February 27 – Venerable Auxentius
• February 28 - Vilna and Dalmatian Icons of the Mother of God

Church fasts in February

• Multi-day fasting - Lent begins on February 19. This is the longest fast in the Orthodox Church. Another name for the fast is Lent
• One-day posts - February 7 and 9

Public holidays in February

In February 2018 28 calendar days, of which 19 are working hours and 9 days off. Despite the fact that almost every day of this month is assigned some interesting holiday, it does not bring Russians additional days off. Only one celebration is recognized as a state celebration, which means that workers will not have to go to work.

February 23 is Defender of the Fatherland Day. There are millions of real men living in Russia who are capable of heroically defending their Motherland and all its inhabitants in moments of real danger. It is precisely these “knights without fear and reproach” who are congratulated on this wonderful holiday.

Most of our fellow citizens do not forget about the main traditions of the celebration - honoring WWII veterans, laying flowers at the monuments of soldiers who died during the war. In addition, patriotic concerts are held throughout the country, where real heroes of our time are awarded, and at the end of the evening, dozens of magnificent fireworks are released into the sky.

February of next year is notable for the fact that it marks the beginning of the most important fast for the Orthodox Church - Lent.

On the eve of this multi-day fast, believers try to prepare themselves to give up their favorite foods and other familiar things that fasting prohibits.

In addition to the Holy Pentecost, there are many other memorable dates in February that are worthy of our attention. Church holidays in February 2017 can bring prosperity and peace to your home.

Faith in the Almighty and his followers helps us cope with everyday difficulties and confidently walk through life. Let's look at the calendar of Orthodox celebrations for February 2017 in this article.

Orthodox holidays in February 2017

February 1, 2017 (Wednesday)

• Memorial Day of St. Macarius the Great of Egypt.
• Day of enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.
• Fast day.

February 2, 2017 (Thursday)

• Memorial Day of St. Euthymius the Great.
• Martyrs Inna, Pinna and Rimma.

February 3, 2017 (Friday)

• Venerable Maximus the Greek.
• Celebration of the icon of the Mother of God “Otrada” or “Consolation”.
• Fast day.

February 4, 2017 (Saturday)

• Apostle Timothy.
• Martyr Anastisius Persianina.
• Memorial Day of St. Macarius of Zhabynsky.

February 5, 2017 (Sunday)

• Week about the publican and the Pharisee in 2017. Beginning of preparations for Lent.
• Hieromartyr Clement of Ancyra.
• Cathedral of Kostroma Saints.

February 6, 2017 (Monday)

• Memorial Day of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg.
• A continuous week about the publican and the Pharisee - there is no fasting.

February 7, 2017 (Tuesday)

• Celebration of the Icon of the Mother of God “Quench My Sorrows.”
• Saint Gregory the Theologian.
• Hieromartyr Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kyiv.
• Continuous week - no fasting.

February 8, 2017 (Wednesday)

• Memorial Day of the Venerable Xenophon, his wife Mary and their sons Arkady and John.
• Continuous week - no fasting.

February 9, 2017 (Thursday)

• Transfer of the relics of St. John Chrysostom.
• Continuous week - no fasting.

February 10, 2017 (Friday)

• Venerable Ephraim the Syrian.
• Memorial Day of St. Theodosius of Totem.
• Continuous week - no fasting.

February 11, 2017 Saturday

• Transfer of the relics of the Holy Martyr Ignatius the God-Bearer.
• Saint Lawrence, recluse of Pechersk, Bishop of Turov.
• Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church.
• Continuous week - no fasting.

February 12, 2017 (Sunday)

• Week of the Prodigal Son. Preparation for Lent.
• Council of Ecumenical Teachers and Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom.

February 13, 2017 (Monday)

• The unmercenary martyrs Cyrus and John and with them the martyr Athanasius and her daughters: Theoktista, Theodotia, and Eudoxia.
• Saint Nikita, recluse of Pechersk, Bishop of Novgorod.

February 14, 2017 (Tuesday)

• Forefeast of the Presentation of the Lord.
• Memorial Day of the Martyr Tryphon.

February 15, 2017 (Wednesday)

• Meeting of our Lord Jesus Christ.

February 16, 2017 (Thursday)

• Righteous Simeon the God-Receiver and Anna the Prophetess.

February 17, 2017 (Friday)

• Venerable Isidore of Pelusiot.
• Venerable Kirill of Novoezersk, wonderworker.
• Fast day.

February 18, 2017 (Saturday)

• Ecumenical meat-and-meat memorial parental Saturday.
• Saint Theodosius of Chernigov.
• Celebration of the icon of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost.”

February 19, 2017 (Sunday)

• Week of the Last Judgment (meat-eating week). Preparation for Lent.
• Memorial Day of Saints Barsanuphius and John.
• Venerable Vukol of Smyrna.

February 20, 2017 (Monday)

• Venerable Parthenius.
• The first day of Maslenitsa - there is no fasting.

February 21, 2017 (Tuesday)

• Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates.
• Prophet Zechariah the Sickle-Seer from the 12 minor prophets.
• The second day of Maslenitsa - no fasting.

February 22, 2017 (Wednesday)

• Martyr Nicephorus, from Antioch of Syria.
• The third day of Maslenitsa - no fasting.

February 23, 2017 (Thursday)

• Memorial Day of the Hieromartyr Charalampios.
• Righteous Galina.

February 24, 2017 (Friday)

• Blessed Prince Vsevolod, in Holy Baptism of Gabriel, Pskov.
• Venerable Demetrius of Prilutsky, Vologda.

February 25, 2017 (Saturday)

• Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.
• Saint Alexy of Moscow.
• Maslenitsa continues - there is no fasting.

February 26, 2017 (Sunday)

• Forgiveness Sunday (last day of Maslenitsa).
• Venerable Martinian.
• Memorial Day of Saints Zoe and Photinia.
• Recipe for Great Lent. It's a damp week. Memories of Adam's exile.

February 27, 2017 (Monday)

• Clean Monday, the beginning of Lent.
• Equal to the Apostles Cyril, teacher of Slovenia.

February 28, 2017 (Tuesday)

• Celebration of the Vilna Icon of the Mother of God.
• Great Martyr Theodore Tiron.

As mentioned earlier, in February there are not only holidays, but also other important days for believers, called fasts.

Church fasts in February 2017

• Multi-day fasting in February 2017—February 27 marks the beginning of Lent. The longest fast in the modern Orthodox Church.
• One-day posts are February 1, February 3, February 15 and February 17.
• Weeks in which there is no fasting: Week of the Publican and Pharisee from February 6 to 12, Maslenitsa from February 20 to 26.

This week is extremely important for all Christian believers. It is throughout the week about the Publican and the Pharisee that people gradually renounce everything sinful and unclean, they repent for all their actions that do not shine with integrity.

If you think about it, you can determine the meaning of this spiritual aspect - you should not be proud of your virtue, even if it is incredibly great. Every Orthodox person must repent, understand his sins and try to get rid of them. This week is given to us so that we remember all the toll-house principles and try to bring them to life.

Already on February 12, Meat Week begins, or in other words, the week of the Prodigal Son. On Saturday, every Christian should remember everyone who died not by natural causes, but under tragic circumstances. This week of Meat Week is dedicated to these people.

The very meaning of the Week is for people to rely less on God’s mercy, to be responsible for their actions and to understand that the Last Judgment of sinners still happens and quite often.

Cheese week or Maslenitsa

Right before Lent, namely from February 20 to 26, a wonderful, and most importantly, delicious week comes to people - Cheese Week.

This celebration has come to us since pre-Christian times and is associated with pagan rituals. However, the Orthodox Church adopted most of these traditions and Maslenitsa is still one of the most beloved holidays.

Throughout the week you can eat any food, but preference is given to dairy products and eggs. Meat dishes are prohibited, but no one remembers about them when there is an abundance of pancakes, all kinds of Easter cakes, pies, cheesecakes and other mouth-watering dishes on the table. Cheese week has its own rituals, traditions and signs, and every day this week has a special meaning.

In addition, fortune telling becomes quite popular on Maslenitsa. Young girls especially love to look into their future. The most common fortune telling is that a girl needs to go out in the dark and treat the first man she meets to a pancake. In return, he must give his name. The groom of this young girl will have exactly the same name.

Lent

The most significant holiday in February is... It starts on February 27 and ends on April 15. This period ends with Holy Easter or the Resurrection of Christ. Throughout Lent, believers try to cleanse themselves through prayer and repentance. They also abstain from junk food.

Today, anyone can easily follow the canons of Lent, including in food. A lot of books and manuals for beginners have been published, which indicate in detail what dishes can be eaten throughout all four weeks, and even recipes for lean dishes have been written.

During this period, Communion is used in a special way, while weddings, christenings and other entertainment events are prohibited.

By reading prayers and refusing indecent food, a person cleanses himself not only physically, but also spiritually. Some thinkers believe that Lent is the best time to get to know yourself and understand the meaning of your existence.

On February 14, 4 Orthodox church holidays are celebrated. The list of events informs about church holidays, fasting, days of veneration of the memory of saints. The list will help you find out the date of a significant religious event for Orthodox Christians.

Church Orthodox holidays February 14