March 11: Maslenitsa, World Plumber's Day, begins in Ukraine

Today, March 11, the week of Shrovetide begins in Ukraine, UNN reports.

Maslenitsa combines the ancient pagan traditions of the Slavs with elements of Christian culture. 

The pagans celebrated Maslenitsa in early spring, around the vernal equinox. It was then that warmth finally arrived in our latitudes, the snow melted, and nature gained the strength necessary for the upcoming harvest. The sacred meaning of this holiday included three elements: the cyclical perception of time, the cult of fertility, the duty of procreation, and the memory of ancestors.

After the introduction of Christianity in Kievan Rus, Maslenitsa practically lost its sacred meaning. Most of the ancient traditions remained : merry entertainment, the custom of treating oneself to delicious food and drinks, and mutual visits. 

Each of the days of Maslenitsa had its own purpose:

- On Monday, daughters-in-law visited their parents. Also on this day, they made straw stuffed animals and started preparing festive dishes;

- On Tuesday, brides were viewed, and young men and women got to know each other and invited each other to visit;

- On Wednesday, my sons-in-law would visit my mother-in-law for dumplings and pancakes;

- On Thursday, mass festivities began, with singing, dancing, jumping over bonfires, and competitions among men for strength and skill;

- On Friday, each mother-in-law had to visit her son-in-law's house and taste various delicacies;

- On Saturday, married women invited  their sisters-in-law, i.e. their husband's sisters, and in general all his female relatives, to visit;

- The last day of Shrovetide, Sunday, is called "forgiveness Sunday," so one had to ask for forgiveness and forgive from the heart.  

While nowadays Ukrainians consider pancakes to be an edible symbol of Maslenitsa, in the past these were dumplings stuffed with  cottage cheese. Housewives would always serve butter and sour cream with the dumplings. 

Today, some researchers argue that pancakes became popular in Ukraine much later, in Soviet times, in the second half of the 20th century.

Also today, plumbers celebrate their professional holiday in many countries around the world. The event was launched in 2010 by the World Council of Plumbers.

Archaeologists claim that the first toilets appeared in the second millennium BC. During excavations in the territory inhabited by the ancient Sumerians, an exquisite wooden toilet chair with carved patterns was found.

The cities of medieval Europe were full of unpleasant odors, and the streets played the role of sewage, as excrement poured out of the windows in those days. Sanitary equipment began to appear in the early nineteenth century. 

The first toilet, which resembles a modern one in its design, appeared in Europe only in the early twentieth century. It was designed and manufactured by plumber Thomas Krepper. The name "toilet" came from the Spanish company Unitas, which was the first to produce this sanitary equipment. 

Today you can still join the World Day of Muslim Culture, Peace, Dialogue and Cinema and the Day of Tools.

According to the church calendar, today is the Day of Remembrance of St. Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, who lived in the sixth and seventh centuries.

Sophronius was born in Damascus, and from a young age he decided to devote his life to serving the Lord and became a monk.

Sophronius traveled a lot, was a preacher and theologian. Later he became a patriarch in Jerusalem. During the war with the Arabs, he even led the defense of the city.

On March 11, Sorfron, Ivan, George, and Yuri celebrate their name days.