Cheesefare (Sunday of)

JOHN A. MCGUCKIN

The Sunday immediately preceding Great Lent in the Orthodox Church. It is so named because it is the last occasion (ending at Vespers that day) when dairy products are eaten until Pascha. It follows after the preceding Sunday of Meatfare (the last occasion meats are consumed) and offers a gradual entrance into the full austerities of the fast. At the end of the week occurs the Sunday of Forgiveness, a liturgical commemoration of the expul­sion of Adam and Eve from paradise and the occasion, after the divine liturgy, of the ceremony in Orthodox churches of the giving and receiving of mutual forgiveness.