(Прочка, Forgiveness) is a day in the Orthodox Christianity of mutual forgiveness between believers. Date of Procka varies, depends from the date of Easter, and always is exactly 7 weeks before Easter. The religious aspect Forgiveness is one of the manifestations of sincere and self-sacrificing love for one’s neighbor, which should follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ for unconditional and boundless forgiveness among people.
On this holiday, the younger seek forgiveness from the older with the words “forgive me” and older responds “you are forgiven from me and from God”
The day after “Procka” is called Clean Monday, and since then starts Easter fast. Forgiveness also marks the end of winter and beginning of spring holidays.
One of the main elements of Forgiveness is masking and change of clothes, in the town of Prilep there is a carnival similar to Halloween where children dress in outfits and have a celebration. The carnival became a member of the international carnival federation (FECC) since 2004.