Shrove, in Russian it is Maslenitsa (accent on the first syllable, the name originates from Russian word for “butter”). The spring equinox, “victory of light and warm”, “bears awakening”. Round pancakes, symbolizing the Sun, is one of this holiday's customs.

In the Christian tradition the essense of this holiday was distorted, Maslenitsa became connected to the Great Lent, its date varies with the Jewish lunar calendar, but nevertheless it always occurs with many pagan features, not with psalms reciting.

However, the pagans celebrate it as it should be, thus at the weekend next to the equinox.