site.btaOn Forgiveness (Cheesefare) Sunday Young Traditionally Ask Forgiveness of Elders

Sofia, March 14 (BTA) - On Sunday the Bulgarian Orthodox Church
celebrated Forgiveness, or Cheesefare Sunday, the last prior to
the commencement of Great Lent on Monday.

The feast is celebrated seven weeks before Easter and one week
after Meatfare Sunday.

Cheesefare Sunday is the last day that dairy products can be
eaten before the Lenten fast. The full fast begins the following
 day on Clean Monday, the first day of Great Lent. Thraditional
foods include pastry with cheese, homemade bread, boiled eggs, a
 special sweet with nuts and fish.

On the evening of the Sunday of Forgiveness the Church conducts
the first service of Great Lent, the Vespers of Forgiveness, a
service that directs us further on the path of repentance and
helps us to acknowledge our need for forgiveness from God and to
 seek forgiveness from our brothers and sisters in Christ. That
is why tradition also requires everyone to ask forgiveness from
the people around, from family and friends, as well as to
forgive those who have done him any harm. NV/BR