Lent practices among orthodox youth in the Middle Urals: gender aspects

A study of feeding practices of Orthodox youth, and especially the Lent actions, is important for scientifically interpreting the lifestyle of both the Orthodox themselves and those who are on the periphery of parish life. A survey conducted among the young pastors of the Yekaterinburg and Kurgan Metropolises analyzed the Lenten practices of Orthodox youth in terms of their attitude toward the basic injunctions of the Church in this aspect and their eating practices during Lent. The article shows the key contradictions of the Lenten practices of Orthodox youth in the context of gender inequality: while young men partially demonstrate adherence to the prescriptions concerning diet in Orthodoxy, girls' eating behavior is freer, they do not consider themselves obliged to limit and regulate their diet according to the Church recommendations. Contrary to young men, girls were found to tend to transform the prescribed feeding behavior during Lent in the way that seems most convenient and acceptable to them.