Shrovetide

[Whyperion]

Our Quarterly Seasons topics got retired as they tended to talk about the weather all the time. I think this lost some of the older (mainly Church Calendar) Traditions. I do note that Lent this year overlaps a bit with Ramadan ( something to do with new moon dates ? )
The internet these days gives the fount of all knowledge as wikipedia - does anyone have their complete encyclopedias - I never looked at microsoft encarta.
There is something re-assuring about the Church Calendar - particulary the CofE , (if its clergy can still be trusted - its a large organisation and checking on everyone requires the kind of systems that are now in place, but not perfect), in times of uncertainty , and planning for the future celebrations / rememberances seems to be one of those things that Covid caused us to think in a new way on how this would be expressed , and no doubt Ukraine with its colourful Christian Traditions must be frustrated that community cannot safely participate, indeed the Bells of England were ceased in WW2 as life got upended.

It all gets a little confusing , and Shrove Saturday was the start of the short time to use up the rich fat foods in preparation for Lent.

Shrovetide is the Christian liturgical period prior to the start of Lent that begins on Shrove Saturday and ends at the close of Shrove Tuesday.
The season focuses on examination of conscience and repentance before the Lenten fast.

During Shrovetide, Christians used up ingredients used to make rich foods, inclusive of meat, eggs, lacticinia and alcohol as these things were not enjoyed during the 40-day fasting season of Lent— this practice is followed less or more by various Christian groups around the world.

The expression "Shrovetide" comes from the word shrive, referring to the receiving of absolution following confession.

Christian congregations often celebrate Shrovetide through pancake breakfasts, which are held on Shrove Monday or Shrove Tuesday. (one of my local churches will have pancakes as part of its warmspace afternoon , the C of E opposite are doing them from 5pm for the school finishers etc )

Church bells (the Shriving Bell) of ring on Shrove Tuesday reminding the faithful to confess their sins on Shrove Tuesday
(looking at my local church diaries this confession , beyond the normal Catholic mob confession times seems to have fallen out of use - maybe it happens more in the Cathedrals and Abbeys

The Shrovetide season focuses on examination of conscience and repentance before the Lenten fast.one may "make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God's help in dealing with."

The 11th century Ecclesiastical Institutes enjoined: "In the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessor and confess his deeds and the confessor shall so shrive him as he then may hear by his deeds what he is to do [in the way of penance]".Participation in confession and absolution is therefore paradigmatic of Shrovetide, especially Shrove Tuesday. ( you can tell I am copying wikipedia that wording is beyond me)

It is customary for Christians during Shrovetide to ponder what Lenten sacrifices they will make for Lent. While making a Lenten sacrifice, it is customary to pray for strength to keep it for the 40-day fasting season of Lent; many often wish others for doing so as well, e.g. "May God bless your Lenten sacrifice." ( note the Sundays are ommited from 40 day fast )

Many churches place a basket in the narthex during Shrovetide to collect the previous year's Holy Week palm branches that were blessed and distributed during the Palm Sunday liturgies. On Shrove Tuesday, churches burn these palms to make the ashes used during the services held on the very next day, Ash Wednesday.

Prior to the 6th century, Lent was normatively observed through the practice of the Black Fast, which enjoins fasting from food and liquids, with the allowance of one vegetarian meal after sunset. The tradition of pancake breakfasts during Shrovetide, as well as that of pancake races, owes itself to this practice of "using up the surplus eggs, milk and butter" prior to Lent.

As such, a hallmark of Shrovetide is the opportunity for a last round of merrymaking associated with Carnival and Fastelavn before the start of the somber Lenten season; the traditions of carrying Shrovetide rods and consuming Shrovetide buns after attending church are celebrated. ( I have never knowingly heard of such buns its possible this is common in Luteheran Churches) (See wikipedia for other traditions I am not aware of in the UK)
The Festivals include Mardi Gras apparently.
In England, games of mob football were popular during Shrovetide; a few survivors of this tradition include the Royal Shrovetide Football in Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

So enjoy ? the time
What happens to all those eggs laid that are not eaten - presumably they hatch and become chickens . ducks providing meat for the summar and wintertime.

Christianity . com (looks american) gives different dates for Shrovetide appearing to start earlier.

[Whyperion]

I was going to do a follow up on Ash Wednesday and then Lent. But its gone a bit away from my head at present.
But I think it is worth noting what one of my local CofE team are thinking about as part of Lent.

'A Green Lent’
Living life more simply is good for the planet and can link with a Lenten discipline.
For example, to experiment with using public transport instead of your car; fasting from
plastic - how much household waste can you eliminate?

And there are other tips to a less environment footprint that are suggested weekly

This is a great chasm to what is reported as living generally by the "Christian Right" in the US for example, which may be repeated in one set of planned Lent Studies - looking at (some)Women in the Bible - which in the times of "equality" may be interesting.
The other Lent Study group is looking at
Week 1: Crisis what Crisis? How do we live with the knowledge of climate breakdown?
Week 2: Whose death is is anyway? The assisted dying bill.
Week 3: What do we do with the ashes? Funerals for loved ones and ourselves.
Week 4: Finding hope in a difficult world.
(obviously topics here relating to Week 1 are useful)