Europe

Russians celebrate the beginning of Lent

Newcomers flock to church as faithful mark start of Lent with the Maslinitsa festival.
Last Modified: 17 Mar 2013 20:51

Russians have celebrated the end of winter and the beginning of Orthodox Lent with the Maslinitsa festival.

True to its pagan origins, the faithful have burnt female effigies of winter and consumed vast quantities of pancakes.
 
But there is a serious side, as more Russians embrace Orthodox Christianity.
 
Al Jazeera's Robin Forestier-Walker reports from the ancient Russian town of Suzdal.

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