It is 2 February, the day of the Assumption. On this day, the Catholic Church celebrates the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem. There are some folk customs connected with it, such as telling the time in bear fashion. But what does pancakes have to do with it?
In pagan times, this was a celebration of the fertility of the Earth, as winter and frosts ended, giving way to milder weather. It later became a religious holiday. It was named after Pope Saint Gelaz I, who organised a candlelight procession. The consecrated candles were then placed in the church and the Pope distributed pancakes to pilgrims on their way to Rome.
The pancake is the symbol of the sun, yellow, round and warm, its circular shape symbolises the constant cycle of life and the universe. That is why, and also because of Pope Gelasi I, pancakes are traditionally on the menu in many countries on this day. But soon it will also be World Pancake Day, and I'll be back to see how many different kinds of pancakes there are in the world...
