83% of Russians do not observe Lent

On April 12-13, the All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VTsIOM) conducted a survey "Lent in the life of Russians." 1600 people were interviewed in 153 settlements in 46 regions of Russia.

73% of respondents identified themselves as Orthodox, 6% as Muslims, and less than 1% identified themselves as other confessions. 3% consider themselves believers, but do not belong to any denomination. 10% of the respondents identified themselves as unbelievers, 7% cannot decide between faith and disbelief.

According to the study, "in the Central and Northwestern Federal Districts, the share of Orthodox Christians is greater (79-81%) than in other districts, especially the Volga Federal District (63%), this federal district has the highest percentage of Muslims - 17%; in second place in concentration of Muslims - the Southern District (9%). The highest proportion of non-believers (14-16%) is noted in the North-Western, Ural and Siberian districts.

83% of respondents did not change their diet during Lent. 16% adhered to food restrictions (of which 9% - partially, 4% - fast only on Holy Week, 3% fast completely).

“Over ten years, the proportion of respondents who more or less observe fasting has decreased from 20% to 16%,” sociologists note. “This year, among the Orthodox, 21% are fasting, at least in part, faith and unbelief and unbelievers - 3-4%".

47% of respondents could not determine the meaning of Lent. 27% consider spiritual cleansing and deliverance from sinful thoughts to be the main thing, 10% - cleansing of the body. 6% consider fasting a time of repentance, unity with God, 4% - a time for evaluating their actions, testing their will. 1-3% believe that fasting is a time of abstinence from sinful things, a time of good deeds and prayers. 1% sees Lent as a tradition worth observing.

Sources

• Great post in the life of Russians // VCIOM. 2008. April 21.