Show RUSSIA LAND OF HOLIDAYS almost innumerable occasions occasion when all work Is suspended and time spent in pleasure russian people observe rigorously all religious holidays five at christinas ten at easter three at carnival and add almost every week one extra day when an anniversary of some saint is s celebrated on these days everything Is closed and nobody works the six sit weeks of fasting preceding easter art are strictly observed by everybody and the more devout do not even eat cat eggs or drink milk and do not use sugar because it Is refined with blood the last three days of boly week are still more respected for no food at all is 19 consumed for easter sunday very large cakes sometimes three or four feet high are cooked with beautiful ornaments on the top and eggs skillfully painted both calies cakes and eggs with other eatables are brought on oa easter caster eve near the church and placed all about on the ground after the midnight mass a procession of priests and choirs comes out find and walks around the church blessing all the food which Is arranged before then them its as in a market easter sunday and the two following days are dedicated to paying visits every man calls upon his bis acquaintances quain visitors are obliged to eat and drink wherever they happen to go otherwise they will offend the host |