The third day of Shrovetide - Lakomka: time to go to mother-in-law for pancakes

The third day of Shrovetide begins on February 26. In Russia on this day the mother-in-law received her son-in-law and his friends, treating them with pancakes. On the table also served mead, baranki, gingerbread and other sweets, so the third day of Shrovetide week was nicknamed Lakomka. What traditions are associated with it and how the festive environment contributed to the strengthening of the family, tell "Izvestia".

The third day of Shrovetide (Lakomka) in 2025 - customs and traditions

Wednesday was the last day of the Narrow Pancake Day. Then followed the Wide Pancake Week with noisy entertainment and folk amusements. It was the best time for the meeting of son-in-law and mother-in-law, when the future relatives could get acquainted and look at each other. That is why in some regions the third day of the holiday is called Skoromnaya Sreda, or Smotryany.

"Skoromnaya Wednesday" means that on this day they ate frugal food (from Old Slavonic "skram'- fat, oil), which can not be consumed in the Great Lent, coming immediately after Shrovetide. The name serves as a reference to the fact that in Russia the feasts were lavish, and the tables were bursting with different viands.

On Wednesday, women got up early in the morning, cleaned the house and started preparing the main holiday treat - pancakes. The fillings were made of berries, sweet turnips, pumpkin, fish and other products. Pancakes were cooked a lot, because the day prescribed to eat a lot and tasty.

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Future mothers-in-law tried to demonstrate all their skills to please the dear guest and his friends. But at the same time they did not miss the opportunity to "test" the new member of the family. It was believed that if the groom would take the first pancake with sweet filling, he would have a kind and soft character. And if with salty - then he is not an easy man, and his daughter will not be easy with him.

In order to make family life good, the mother-in-law tried to "butter up" her son-in-law. The Slavs even had a separate ritual in this regard. The mistress of the house smeared oil on the man's head, so that he was more malleable and did not offend her daughter. The son-in-law and his friends also titillated the mother-in-law in every possible way - they gave her gifts, sang songs and ditties.

The third day of Shrovetide (Lakomka) in 2025 - what you can and can not do

Since in the Orthodox calendar Pancake Day coincides with Meat-Lent Week, when there is preparation for Lent, there are a number of prohibitions. In the last week before Lent, believers already refuse meat. Meat dishes are replaced by vegetable, fish and dairy dishes.

In addition, in Lakomka, as well as in other days of Pancake Day, you can not consume alcohol. An exception is made only for weak alcoholic drinks - beer and mead. This is due to the fact that in Russia these drinks were not considered alcohol. They were prepared for many holidays according to a special recipe.

Also in the old days on this day it was customary to take out of the pockets of all the best. Girls and women tried to dress up, pulling out their best outfits from their chests. And hostesses, receiving guests, showed generosity and wonders of cooking.

And now the holiday should be met in a good mood. Do not indulge in discouragement, backbiting and arguing with others. It is desirable to spend the day as productively as possible in the family circle or as a guest.

The third day of Shrovetide (Lakomka) in 2025 - folk omens

At Pancake Day, many omens are associated with pancakes, which symbolize the sun and the beginning of spring. It was believed that the more pancakes cooked during Pancake Week, the richer and more successful the whole year will be. Special attention was paid to the first pancake. If it turned out thin and openwork, it promised the family a happy year. A well-baked pancake promised health, and an even pancake with neat edges promised prosperity.

The weather on the festive day could also tell us a lot. So, if circles appeared around the sun on February 26, it was a good harvest year and a good bite. And if by this time the rooks have already arrived and warmth has set in, it means that the real spring has come and you can get ready for field work.

Earlier "Izvestia" told about the traditions and signs of the last day of Pancake Day - Farewell Sunday.