Newswise — Virginia Commonwealth University has an expert available for comment regarding the significance of fasting during Lent, food traditions and overindulgences during Mardi Gras, and the significance of Easter eggs and candy.
Kristin M. Swenson, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of religious studies and co-coordinator of International Studies in the School of World Studies in VCU's College of Humanities & Sciences. Her research interests include the connection between food and religious celebrations and how biblical interpretation shapes contemporary thinking about matters such as health, social relationships and the environment.
Swenson is the author of "Living through Pain," which examines personal and social problems caused by chronic pain and surveys professional efforts to mitigate and manage it. She can also discuss popular contemporary figures in religion. Mardi Gras takes place on Feb 5. It is followed by Lent, a 40-day liturgical season of fasting and prayer in most Christian denominations. In 2008, Easter is celebrated on March 23 in Western Christian tradition and on April 27 in Eastern Orthodox tradition.
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