Eastern Orthodox Christians begin the Great Lenten Fast

This Orthodox icon of the Last Supper was painted by Simon Ushakov in 1685. The image now is in public domain via Wikimedia Commons.

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MONDAY, MARCH 18: The flavors of shellfish and lagana bread are associated with the start of the Lenten season in Greece. Outside, colorful kites fly above the fields as Orthodox Christians mark Clean Monday.

Western Christians began the Lenten season of reflection that leads toward the celebration of Easter last week with Ash Wednesday.

The centuries-old tradition of observing Lent as a season of reflection and self-denial is intended to prepare Christians for the greatest festival in their religious calendar: Easter. However, the ever-changing date of Easter—and the method of counting 40 days in Lent—is one of the centuries-old differences among Christians East and West.

There are many differences in Lenten customs between Eastern and Western branches of Christianity—but the call to fast is one of the central spiritual challenges in Eastern churches. Many Western Christian denominations still call on members to “give something up” for Lent. But observant members of Eastern churches often have calendars on the wall—or apps on the smartphones—listing the foods they are giving up. The list becomes quite extensive! Customs vary in each national culture, but the faithful may be abstaining from meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, wine and some oils. This leads to distinctive—and often both healthy and delicious—regional Lenten cuisines.

Another big difference? “Western Christians count Lent’s 40 days as starting with Ash Wednesday but excluding Sundays. Eastern Christians, those generally called Orthodox, start their 40 days on a Monday, counting Sundays, but excluding the week leading up to Easter.” That’s one of the intriguing details in the book, Our Lent: Things We Carry, by Read The Spirit magazine Editor David Crumm. “Some Christians fast; some don’t. Millions of Western Christians retain a custom of limited fasting; millions of Eastern Christians prayerfully make significant sacrifices during this season.”

CLEAN MONDAY IN GREECE

Rather than begin Lent in a solemn manner, Clean Monday is celebrated as a public holiday in Greece and Cyprus: outdoor activities, zany local traditions, kite flying and plenty of Lenten-friendly food is par for the course. As shellfish is permitted in these cultures throughout Lent, a spread of extravagant dishes—based on the bounty of the sea—is common on Clean Monday in Greece.

Customs and traditions vary by locality in Greece on the first day the Lenten season, with colored flour being thrown into crowds in Glaxidi, on the northern coast of the Corinth Gulf; on the Greek island of Chios, a man dresses up as “Aga,” or “Ayas” (the tax collector), then he and his followers grab local villagers to put them into a mock trial. The “criminals” found guilty must suffer punishment or pay a fine that funds the village’s cultural association.

KITES AND CULINARY DELIGHTS

The flying of kites across Greece welcomes spring in a colorful and festive manner, and many traditional kite makers pride themselves on decades of experience. When out and about, picnic baskets are often filled with lagana, an unleavened bread baked only for Clean Monday, and taramosalata, a dip made of salted and cured roe mixed with olive oil, lemon juice and bread crumbs. Feasts of bean soup, shellfish dishes, octopus platters, shrimp dishes and more are carefully prepared for a Clean Monday extravaganza.

In Greece, lagana is usually baked on large sheets and cut into smaller portions for serving. The bread is decorated with sesame seeds, which add a distinct flavor and texture to the bread. Aside from its cultural significance, lagana bread is also delicious and nutritious. It is low in fat and high in fiber, making it an ideal food for people who are observing the Lenten fast. The sesame seeds on top of the bread add a nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch, making it a popular snack for people of all ages.

Interested in baking lagana? Find a recipe at the blog Lemon & Olives, or at The Greek Vegan.

The fast of Ramadan is a time of renewal and reflection on the Quran for Muslims

A TIME OF COMMUNITY RENEWAL—Around the world, Muslims will be fasting during Ramadan—and they also will gather with family and friends for meals after the sun sets each day. Then, many like to go to mosques where there often are special programs to enjoy and discuss the Quran. This photo of women at a mosque in Indonesia was taken by David Crumm during a reporting trip to cover Muslim life in Asia.


And for Non-Muslims? It’s a time to learn about our neighbors.

By JOE GRIMM
Director of the Michigan State University Bias Busters

EVENING OF SUNDAY MARCH 10I am reminding myself that Ramadan is coming and I’m suggesting in this column that you do the same, because many of our neighbors, co-workers and professionals we meet in our daily lives are Muslim.

Twice, Islam’s holy month of Ramadan has caught me—a non-Muslim—by surprise, causing some awkwardness. Practicing Muslims do not eat or drink from sunup to sunset during Ramadan, focusing on prayer, studying the Quran and fasting.

The first time, I was working as a recruiter for a newspaper company and had asked a job prospect to meet me for lunch. It was not until she ordered just a canned soft drink—and did not open it—that I realized I had asked her to lunch during Ramadan.

Another time, I scheduled a lunchtime seminar at the office for the staff to meet some visiting journalists who happened to be Muslim.

Same problem—and was I embarrassed! Working for a major newspaper in southeast Michigan, the home to one of the most important Muslim communities in the U.S., I should have been aware.

In both cases, the people whose holiest month I had forgotten were most gracious. They insisted that plans not be changed for them.

But how could I have been so thoughtless? Part of my problem was that Ramadan can surprise you. You must think ahead—because this “month” moves earlier each year within our standard calendar. The Islamic calendar year has 12 months, each of 29.5 days, based on the cycles of the moon.

Islamic months are determined by when the crescent moon is visible, not by the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. So, the start of the month depends on what the moon is doing where you live on our planet.

This means the Islamic year is about 11 days shorter than the solar Gregorian year, which has months varying from 28 days to 31 and a leap year every fourth year.

The difference in calendars means Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year, comes earlier on the Gregorian calendar than it was in the year before. In 2023, Ramadan was March 22 through Apr 20 in the United States. In 2024, Ramadan will be March 10 through April 9.

This will cause some people to ask, “Why is Ramadan so early this year?” But, on the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is not early. It happens when it always does—as the ninth month.

With this helpful column, I’m hoping that Ramadan won’t surprise you this year. You can greet Muslims by saying “Happy Ramadan” or “Ramadan Mubarak,” the Arab language equivalent.

You might consider asking friends, neighbors or co-workers whether you can join them in breaking the day’s fast after sunset. Warm hospitality during Ramadan is a longstanding Muslim tradition.

And, looking ahead, here’s another tip: Being date-aware will really help you in 2030 when Ramadan will come twice. That’s right: In that Gregorian year, the shorter Islamic calendar means one Ramadan will start around Jan. 5 and the next Ramadan will start around Dec. 26!

Want to learn more about our Muslim neighbors?

Click the cover to visit the book’s Amazon page.

Get a copy of our MSU School of Journalism Bias Busters book: 100 Questions and Answers About Muslim Americans with a Guide to Islamic Holidays

Or, read the memoir of nationally known Muslim peace advocate Victor Begg: Our Muslim Neighbors: Achieving the American Dream, An Immigrant’s Memoir

For a more in-depth exploration of the many traditions surrounding this special month of fasting and reflection, get a copy of the guide to Ramadan by the noted Muslim advocate for women and children, Najah Bazzy: The Beauty of Ramadan

Meatfare Sunday: Orthodox Christians prepare for Lent with Sunday of the Last Judgment

Meatfare Sunday, meat dish

Orthodox Christians partake in meat dishes for the last time until Pascha on Meatfare Sunday. Photo courtesy of PxHere

SUNDAY, MARCH 10: While Western Christians are already in the midst of Lent, Eastern Orthodox churches take the first steps toward their traditional Lenten fast with Meatfare Sunday (also referred to as the Sunday of the Last Judgment). After Meatfare Sunday, no meat may be consumed until Pascha (Easter).

One week later, Cheesefare Sunday (this year, March 17) will mark the discontinuation of partaking in dairy products until Pascha. For Orthodox Christians, Great Lent begins the day following Cheesefare Sunday, on Clean Monday—this year, March 18.

MEATFARE SUNDAY (THE LAST JUDGMENT )

On Meatfare Sunday, or the Sunday of the Last Judgment, emphasis is placed on the Second Coming and Last Judgment—a time when Christ (in the Gospel of Matthew) refers to coming in glory with the angels to judge the living and the dead. While the opportunity exists, the faithful are encouraged to repent. The parable of the Last Judgment points out that Christ will judge on love: How well one has shared God’s love, and how deeply one has cared for others.

Looking to cook up a delicious meat dish today?  Find recipes at Allrecipes, Southern Living and Food Network.

Maha Shivaratri: Hindus fast, hold vigils and observe ‘Great Night of Shiva’

Maha Shivaratri devotees

Hindus in the Shiv temple in Agra, India, on Maha Shivratri. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

FRIDAY, MARCH 8: A day of fasting and worship is followed by a nighttime vigil for Lord Shiva, on the Hindu holiday of Maha Shivaratri. Lord Shiva is associated with several legends and renowned as the model of an ideal husband. On Maha Shivaratri, many Hindus believe that Lord Shiva performed the Tandava—the cosmic dance of creation, preservation and destruction.

After a full day of visiting temples, performing ritual baths for figures of Lord Shiva and fasting, Hindus begin a vigil that lasts the entire night.

2024 rules and travels:  Additional rules of the fast—including details for 2024—can be found in this article, from the Times of India. Alternatively, this article from the Outlook Traveller explores Mount Kailash, the holy location where Hindus believe that Mahadeva (Shiva) lives, along with his consort, Parvati.

LORD SHIVA: MARRIAGE AND LINGA

Many stories are shared as this holiday is celebrated by Hindus in India, Nepal, Trinidad, Tobago and other parts of the world. According to one legend, Lord Shiva and his consort, Parvati, were married on this day. As the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvatai is regarded as ideal, married women pray for the well-being of their husbands and single women pray that they will find a husband like Shiva.

RITUALS AND CUSTOMS

After waking early for a ritual bath, Hindus begin the day by visiting the temple. At the temple, Hindus pray, make offerings and bathe figures of Shiva in milk, honey or water. Many devotees either fast or partake in only milk and fruit throughout the day. As evening falls, the worship continues, and hymns and devotional songs are sung to Shiva throughout the night. It’s believed that sincere worship of Lord Shiva on Maha Shivaratri—Lord Shiva’s favorite day—will bring absolution of sins, neutrality of the mind and assistance in liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth.

Nineteen-Day Fast: Baha’is enter devotional period leading up to New Year

This photograph by David Haslip of the Universal House of Justice, governing body of the Bahá’ís, in Haifa, Israel, is in public domain and can be shared via Wikimedia Commons.

SUNSET THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29: Sacred days “outside of time” began for members of the Baha’i faith at sundown last Sunday, as the festival of Ayyam-i-Ha, or Intercalary Days, commenced.

Then, on the evening of February 29, Bahai’s enter the final month of the calendar year with the Nineteen-Day Fast.

THE NINETEEN-DAY FAST

For the entire final month of the Baha’i calendar year—Ala, which lasts 19 days—Baha’is observe a sunrise-to-sunset fast. Many Baha’is regard the Nineteen-Day Fast as one of the greatest obligations of their faith.

Instituted by the Bab and revised by Baha’u’llah, the Nineteen-Day Fast is intended to bring a person closer to God. According to the Bab, the true purpose of the fast is to abstain from everything except divine love. Fasting guidelines, exemptions and more are in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Baha’u’llah’s book of laws.

The Nineteen-Day Fast ends as Baha’is welcome Naw-Ruz, the Baha’i New Year. This year, Naw-Ruz will begin on the evening of March 19.

Blue is the color of hope in March during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

FEEL FREE TO SAVE AND RE-USE THIS IMAGE YOURSELF: This image of a blue ribbon was created so that you are free to re-use it yourself in social media as a reminder of this special month and the importance of early screening.

Please, spread the news now

MARCH is a special life-giving month when all of us who understand the importance of early screening for colorectal cancer spread reminders as far and wide as possible. I will be joining countless survivors in that effort, as always, by telling my own story.

This matters to me and my family—because I would not be writing this column today if it were not for a routine screening that caught my cancer.

That’s why I’m sharing so many inspiring resources myself. My true story of building the resilience to beat Stage IV cancer—in fact, beating it twice in my life—is told in my memoir, Shining BrightlyIf you stop by my website, ShiningBrightly.com, you’ll find weekly podcasts about resilience and hope—and you can even download a free PDF of my best tips for “Resiliency when confronting cancer.” (That helpful PDF is on this page of my website in the navy-blue area.)

Who established this special month?

Advocates for the families touched by this deadly disease had lobbied for years for greater awareness and finally in 2000, President Clinton signed a proclamation officially designating March for heightened awareness. That proclamation has been repeated since then by the White House.

Why is this month even more important—now?

As the Journal of the American Medical Association reports, these forms of cancer are increasing at an alarming rate among younger adults!

The JAMA report says, in part:

From 2010 to 2019, the incidence rates of early-onset cancers increased substantially over the study period. Gastrointestinal cancers had the fastest-growing incidence rates among all early-onset cancers. Although breast cancer had the highest number of incident cases, gastrointestinal cancers had the fastest-growing incidence rates among all early-onset cancers.

The rapid rise of early-onset cancers is alarming all of us

This month, I represented Colontown—the global nonprofit network of patients, survivors, and care-partners that I am honored to serve as Chairman of the Board—at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in San Francisco.

At this huge conference, everyone was talking about the growing danger among young adults. We’ve got to alert families to the importance of early screening, which can save lives—like my own.

And, remember, there’s an opportunity to show your concern on Friday, March 1, this year—which is national Wear Blue Day for awareness of this form of cancer and the need for screening. I’ll be wearing blue that day—how about you?

Need more news headlines to share?

NBC NEWS: Colon cancer is killing more younger men and women than ever, new report finds

NEW YORK TIMES: Colon Cancer Is Rising Among Younger Adults. Here’s What to Know.

VERYWELL HEALTH: Why Is Cancer Rising In Young Adults?

And what’s the most important message?

Screening.

Screening.

Screening.

Are you tired of reading that word in my column? Well, please, take action and either get yourself or someone else you love scheduled for a screening.

Vasant Panchami: Hindus and Sikhs don bright colors, welcome spring

red and yellow auspicious vasant panchami

This year, it is considered auspicious for Hindus to wear both yellow and red on February 14, acknowledging the convergence of Vasant Panchami and Valentine’s Day. Traditionally, Vasant Panchami begins the spring cycle that ends with Holi. Photo courtesy of PxHere

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14: Welcome the approaching season of spring and don the color yellow, as Hindus and Sikhs in India and beyond celebrate the festival of Vasant Panchami (spellings vary).

2024: Wearing both yellow and red this Vasant Panchami—in recognition of this year’s convergence of the holiday and Valentine’s Day—is recommended, according to PTC News: “Yellow is the traditional color of Basant Panchami, symbolising the vibrancy of spring, while red is associated with love and passion on Valentine’s Day. Wearing Blend of Yellow and Red on February 14 is considered auspicious.”

Literally the fifth day of spring, Vasant Panchami honors Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of music, art, culture, learning and knowledge. Today begins the spring cycle that will end with Holi, the massive spring festival that is now celebrated internationally.

For Sikhs, Vasant Panchami marks the day in Amritsar when musicians begin singing the Basant Raga, a practice that will continue until the first day of Vaisakh. In some regions of India, kites fill the sky, and the festival is better known as the Basant Festival of Kites.

VASANT PANCHAMI: HONORING SARASWATI, KNOWLEDGE AND SPRING

An ancient celebration stretching back thousands of years, Vasant Panchami reveres Kamadeva, the god of love, and his friend Vasant (the personification of spring). In modern times, however, rituals for the goddess Saraswati have taken precedence over Kamadeva. Hindus treat Vasant Panchami as Saraswati’s birthday, worshiping the goddess and filling her temples with food. Figures of Saraswati are often draped in yellow clothing, and as the deity is considered supreme in many types of knowledge, students ask for her blessings. It is traditional that children begin learning the alphabet or their first words on Vasant Panchami, believing it auspicious to do so. While donning yellow clothing, Hindus often make and distribute yellow foods and treats to neighbors, family and friends.

Did you know? Saraswati is often depicted seated on a white lotus, with four hands. The four hands symbolize the aspects of learning: manas (mind, sense), buddhi (intellect, reasoning), citta (imagination, creativity) and ahamkāra (self consciousness, ego).

A log with a figure of the demoness Holika is placed in a public area on Vasant Panchami, and for 40 days, devotees will add twigs and sticks to form an enormous pile. The pyre is lit on Holi.