Russians fast rarer but all other spring-related rites and traditions are practiced more than before.
MOSCOW, March 11, 2016. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the data describing what Pagan and Christian traditions Russians observe.
The most popular Russian tradition during the Maslenitsa is eating pancakes: 85% of Russians say that they do that almost every year. There has been a five-percent increase in the share of those who think so. The Orthodox Christians like pancakes much more than followers of other religions and non-believers (91% vs. 58% and 66%, respectively). Those who are fluctuating between belief and non-belief eat more pancakes than the Orthodox Christians (96%).
Sixty-five percent of Russians have never burnt the winter effigy; its share is decreasing year-by-year (from 70% in 2011). The number of Russians who observe this tradition almost every year has doubled over the same period (16%). The number of those who do it from time to time has slightly increased (from 9% to 12%, respectively); and the share of those who did it once has decreased (from 13% to 7%).
Painting the Easter eggs is the most popular Christian tradition. Eighty-two percent of respondents do it annually. This tradition is also supported by non-believers and those who are fluctuating between belief and non-belief (53% and 76, respectively). Asking for forgiveness on the Sunday of Forgiveness is also a popular tradition: 53% do it every year; 26% never did it. Dipping into water to celebrate Epiphany, as well as Tide and Christmas fortune-telling are practiced rarely (8%, 4% and 5% respectively).
The Great Lent will be observed by every fourth Russian this year (a 9% increase). Eighteen percent will not strictly observe fasting; 4% will fast only during the Holy Week; 5% will follow any dietary restrictions. Strict fasting is mainly observed by women (6%) rather than men (3%).
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on March 5-6, 2016. A total of 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 settlements in 46 regions and republics of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.5%.
What do you practice among things mentioned below? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||||
| Almost every year | Sometimes, not every year | I did it once but I do not do it regularly | Never | ||||
2011 | 2016 | 2011 | 2016 | 2011 | 2016 | 2011 | 2016 | |
Eating pancakes on Pancake Tuesday | 80 | 85 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 7 |
Painting Easter eggs | 72 | 82 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 12 |
Asking for forgiveness on the Sunday of Forgiveness | 47 | 53 | 20 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 27 | 27 |
Sanctifying willow on Palm Sunday | 27 | 37 | 16 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 48 | 46 |
Burning the Maslenitsa effigy | 8 | 16 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 70 | 65 |
Dipping into an ice hole during Epiphany | 5 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 80 | 78 |
Tide fortune-telling | 4 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 19 | 9 | 68 | 82 |
Christmas caroling | 2 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 8 | 77 | 82 |
The Great Lent leading up to Easter is coming. What are you going to eat during the fast? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
| 2008 | 2009 * | 2011 | 2012 | 2015 | 2016 |
My usual diet | 83 | 70 | 83 | 75 | 77 | 71 |
I will be fasting during the last week | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
I will partially observe the fast | 9 | 15 | 9 | 13 | 9 | 18 |
I will completely observe the fast | 3 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
Don’t know | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
*the question was asked in the beginning of the Great Lent | ||||||
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.