The community is invited to a blini breakfast March 9 at Saint Job Orthodox Church. Courtesy photo

Saint Job Orthodox Church News:

Saint Job Orthodox Church will host its 20th Annual Blini Breakfast Saturday, March 9.

Blini, a type of thin pancake, will be served in traditional style with smoked salmon, herring, butter and sour cream. Vegetable caviar, eggs, cheese and a variety of berry preserves will be available as well.

Blini are traditionally served in Slavic households during the week before the beginning of the Lenten Fast. Thin crepe-like pancakes are traditionally eaten with fish, sour cream and butter in order to consume all these foods before the beginning of Great Lent.

These foods, that is, fish and dairy products, along with meat are not eaten during the 40-day Great Fast period preceding Easter, or Pascha, as it is called among Orthodox Christians. The practice of fasting, or abstaining from certain foods, dates to Judaism. The practice was recorded in Biblical times, Christ having fasted in the desert for 40 days.

“Fasting, together with prayer, almsgiving, and the additional services during Lent prepare us for Pascha, the Resurrection of Our Lord, the feast of all feasts in the Church,” explains Fr. Theophan, the priest at Saint Job of Pochaiv Orthodox Church.

The rite of Mutual Forgiveness, which gives the name of Forgiveness Sunday to the day, will be celebrated immediately after the Sunday morning service. On this last day before Great Lent, the rite of Mutual Forgiveness offers preparation for entering into the season of Great Lent through the spirit of forgiveness and repentance.

Saint Job of Pochaiv Orthodox Church is at 1319 Trinity Dr., behind Pasta Paradiso.

The Blini Breakfast is 9-10 a.m.,  11 a.m. and reservations can be made by calling 505.412.6031 and leaving a message, or emailing blini@stjobla.org. With a reservation, the cost is $12, at the door $15 for adults, $6 for children 6-12 years old and children under 6 years old may eat for free.