August 13, 2021

Sinfully Good Burgers


Sinfully Good Burgers
Ah, the sweet, greasy smell of globalization. Maksym Kozlenko, Wikimedia Commons

An Omsk resident is bringing a lawsuit against McDonald's for leading her astray during Russian Orthodox Lent in 2019. The woman was reportedly so entranced by an ad for a cheeseburger and McNuggets that she "succumbed," giving into temptation by buying a burger.

The woman is seeking compensation of 1,000 rubles (about $14) for "moral damages." Reportedly, the advertisement ended 16 years of spotless Lent adherence and thirty days of abstinence that year.

Russian Orthodox Christians, like other denominations the world over, observe the time before Easter by fasting and praying. In the Orthodox tradition, meat, cheese, and oils are discouraged. They're also, coincidentally, three fast food staples.

For their part, the Russian Orthodox Church encouraged the woman to "go to confession, not court" to settle the incident.

Whether or not the Bible will be used in the proceedings remains to be seen. If it is, we recommend Luke 17:1-2.

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Faith & Humor: Notes from Muscovy

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.
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Jews in Service to the Tsar

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A Taste of Russia

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