Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Transition to Lent starts on Meat Shrovetide

Photo: BTA

Always on Sunday, eight weeks before Easter, Orthodox Christians mark Mesni Zagovezni or Meat Shrovetide. During the liturgy, the Church recalls the image of the Last Judgment through the texts in the Holy Scriptures. The themes of sinfulness and retribution in the afterlife are touched upon there, therefore the call to the faithful is to detach themselves from the daily grind and devote themselves to good deeds during the lent.

The day is marked in a family circle, as meat dishes (usually chicken or rooster) are present at the festive table. It is the last day before Lent, when it is allowed to eat meat. In folk traditions, this is also the last Sunday, during which young people can gather for dances and singing.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Patriarch Daniil: The Cross is not the end, it is the path to the Resurrection

On Good Friday, the saddest day for Christians, the liturgy commemorates the suffering, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself for the guilt and sins of humanity. The service at the Metropolitan Cathedral "St. Nedelya" in..

published on 4/18/25 2:54 PM
Father Stefan (L) and Father Walter Gorra (R)

Catholic and Orthodox Priests: It is more joyful when we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ together

In 2025, the Catholic and Orthodox churches celebrate Easter on April 20. It is more joyful when we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ together. This is what Father Stefan from the Orthodox Church "St. Nicholas" and parish priest Father Walter..

published on 4/18/25 10:06 AM

Good Friday recalls the atoning sufferings of Christ

On Good Friday, the Church recalls the great sufferings of Jesus Christ, who accepted by His own will to be judged, scourged, spat upon, humiliated, slapped, and shown to the people in a purple robe, with a crown of thorns on His head. With the..

published on 4/18/25 6:05 AM