March 15, 2010

First Lady of Russia Observes Great Lent Even On Her Birthday


Svetlana Medvedeva Prefers to Serve Lenten Dishes On Her Birthday
Moscow, 15 March 2010, Interfax – The Russian President's spouse Svetlana Medvedeva observes rules of the Great Lent on her birthday as March 15 falls on the Lenten period.

Medvedeva plans to celebrate it with her family and the birthday dinner will consist mostly of Lenten dishes, the Moskovsky Komsomolets daily has reported on Monday.

The edition cites people from the first lady's circle who say the President's spouse believes that "the most important is not only observing religious canons, but rather preserving purity of thoughts and realizing spiritual importance of Lent."

Medvedeva has headed the guardian board of the program for Spiritual and Moral Culture of Russia's Growing Generation, set up on Patriarch Alexy II's blessing for almost three years. On her initiative, Sts Peter and Fevronia commemoration day was announced an annual feast – the Day of Family, Love and Devotion.