Shrove Sunday begins the Great Fast (or Great Lent) of Orthodox Church tradition, six weeks in which believers prepare themselves for the celebration of Christ’s suffering and resurrection. The Lenten fast is also described as a school of repentance, when Christians contemplate themselves and their sins, and give up certain foodstuffs and other unnecessary things. For them, repentance can only begin by the reconciliation of themselves with God and with other people. Which is why in the Orthodox tradition one begins a fast by asking forgiveness of everyone else who is fasting.
