Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Not everyone who planned to observe Lent followed the restrictions. On the contrary, almost everyone will celebrate Easter with Easter cakes.

MOSCOW, April 30, 2013. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing how many Russians will observe Lent, as well as how they plan to mark Easter. 

Sixteen percent of Russians observe Lent; other 6% plan to keep a fast during the last week. At the same time, the share of respondents who planned to keep a fast was bigger when Lent started – 23%. Seventy-six percent of Russians do not change eating habits during Lent (68% when Lent started).

The share of Orthodox Christians who fully or partially observe Lent is 18%; 7% of them will keep dietary restrictions during the last week of Lent. Remarkably, 7% of non-believers report that they try to observe Lent in a varying degree.

The Easter will be celebrated by most of Russians; most of them will cook special dishes for that (64%, a year ago – 68%). Other 30% plan to consecrate Easter cakes and eggs; 8% will take part in the all-night vigil. Forty-one percent of Russians will invite guests or will visit friends; 10% will give presents; 24% will go to the cemetery (a year ago - 20%).  The share of those who will not celebrate Easter is 11%.

Seventy-two percent of Orthodox Christians plan to prepare Easter eggs; other 36% will consecrate them in the church; they will also go to the cemetery on this day (27%).  Twenty-four percent of non-believers report that they will not mark the Easter. At the same time, 42% of atheists will cook Easter cakes and color eggs.

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on April 27-28, 2013. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 130 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

Lent is coming to an end. Do you observe it, to what extent?   
(close-ended question, one answer)

 

2002

2008

2011

2012

2013

I have normal eating habits  

76

83

83

75

76

I will keep a fast during the last week

4

4

4

5

6

I observe Lent partially  

15

9

9

13

12

I fully observe Lent

3

3

2

4

4

Hard to tell

2

1

3

3

2

Do you observe Lent, to what extent?   (close-ended question, one answer)

 

Start of Lent, 2013 *

End of Lent, 2013

I have normal eating habits 

68

76

I will keep a fast during the last week

5

6

I observe Lent partially  

19

12

I fully observe Lent

4

4

Hard to tell

4

2

*the question was as follows: What eating habits will you have during Lent? (close-ended question, one answer)  

 

Will you celebrate Easter? If yes, then how?
(close-ended question, any number of answers)

 

2005

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

I will cook special dishes  (Easter cakes, eggs)

46

60

64

71

67

68

64

I will invite guests; I will visit friends

23

30

38

42

39

38

41

I will consecrate Easter eggs and cakes in the church  

14

21

27

34

29

32

30

I will go to the cemetery  

11

16

29

30

25

20

24

I will take part in the all-nigh vigil

3

4

8

8

9

8

8

I will give presents  

1

4

7

12

6

11

10

I will not mark the Easter  

12

6

12

8

9

10

11

Other  

3

3

2

1

2

1

3

Hard to tell

3

7

4

5

3

2

3

Will you celebrate Easter? If yes, then how?
 (close-ended question, any number of answers)

 

Total respondents

Orthodox Christians

Followers of other religions

Non-believers

I will cook special dishes  (Easter cakes, eggs)

64

72

29

42

I will consecrate Easter eggs and cakes in the church 

30

36

8

7

I will take part in the all-nigh vigil

8

10

2

1

I will invite guests; I will visit friends

41

45

15

43

I will go to the cemetery 

24

27

9

13

I will give presents  

10

12

3

11

I will not mark the Easter 

11

4

48

24

Other  

3

2

9

3

Hard to tell

3

2

5

3

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!

Read the article in Russian
Topics:
Easter