Spring welcoming

I am a little late with this post, however ( and it at time is my favorite saying) - better late than never...
March 20 ( the date varies depending on the year and the region) is a day of spring equinox. The day when spring takes over. This particular Russian traditions to welcome spring on that day goes back to pre-Christian times when we were pageants. Because back then people didn't have calendars they referred to nature and were able to recognize seasons by observing it.  Larks were the first birds returning back home with coming of spring. Small and not brightly colored, the larks are known for their triumphant songs.

The coming of spring in Russian Orthodox Church is marked by the Feast Of 40 Martyrs Of Sebaste or "Sorokovitzy" ( from Russian "sorok" - fourty). 

Sorokovitzy in Russian families started with attending a feast church service - Liturgy. Since this day fall on a period of Great Lent no major festivities are allowed. 

However, there is still a way to celebrate!  Traditionally, in Russian families small buns in shape of a bird ( lark) were baked and given to children to play with and later to enjoy eating later. Since everybody in the family ( except for infants) adhered to strict fasting rules, the larks were baked using flower, yeast, sugar and salt only. A simple recipe that is also used to bake prosfora bread ( the bread used for Holy Communion). 

The golden color of buns is achieved by adding carrot juice into the dough and by brushing  ready buns with some strong sweetened black tea.

Add caption

Children in Russian village playing with larks.