Day2See.com

In Russia, 80% of the population consider themselves Christians, namely the Orthodox - one of the three main trends in Christianity, along with Catholicism and Protestantism. Just like Catholics, Easter is considered one of the main celebrations, but dates in Orthodox Church are differ for several days or even weeks (depends on the lunar calendar). Easter is preceded by the Great Lent, which lasts 48 days and always begins on Sunday, ate the same time Catholics have the Easter Lent starting on Wednesday.
Sunday before the start of the fast, the Orthodox already stop eating dairy products, and also try to purify themselves with prayers and receive forgiveness from relatives, so this day in Russia is called - Forgiven Sunday. In 2018 fast will last from February 19 to April 7 inclusive.

Moscow pancake week (as known as Maslenitsa) started on 9'th of February and will continue till the next weekend (18th of February). If you've never tasted Russian pancakes this ywo weeks are the best time to change it. Ussually almost all cafes, restaraunts and street food places offers the wide range of pancakes and fillings like meat, fruits, curd, caviar and many others. Moscow government prepared special entartainment program for locals and guests: master classes, masquerade at Novy Arbat street, Maslenitsa excursions, exibitions etc. Enjoy your pancake! Happy Maslenitsa!

In Russia exist one very old tradition - they celebrate the New Year two times. The fact is that until 1918 the Russian Empire lived on the Julian calendar and after the transition to the Gregorian, people decided to celebrate twice a year, because two fiestas is better than one. The first New Year Russians feast together with the whole world on the night of January 31-1st, and the second time on the night of January 14th. What is remarkable, the Christian event Circumcision of Jesus in the Russian Orthodox Church is celebrated on January 14, but Catholics do this on January 1st.